Llandudno Local Association formed April 1910. Merged into Conwy County 1999. 

Known District Commissioners.  

• J.C.Parke at 1935.  
• H.W. Gregory at 1947 
• B.Allport:- 1958?-19??. 
• W. Hooson: – 19??-1966.  
• Norman Collins: – 23.8.1967-1.10.1977.
• Brian Goldsmith: – 1977-1978.   
• S.Littlewood:- 1978-1980.   
• N. Brookes: – 1980-1992 
• J. Hammond: – 1992-1998  

1st Llandudno and 2nd Llandudno(St Georges) and the Orme Scout Group 

The 1st Llandudno Scouts were formed by 1909 and “had a bugle band “ by 1911. It appears that the troop closed soon after the outbreak of war in 1914. The 2nd Llandudno Scouts started not long after the war finished and certainly by the early 1920’s largely due to family members of the original 1st Llandudno. Later, the1st was restarted and at various times over the next 50 years both experienced highs and lows. On the 21/10/1974 both scout troops amalgamated and formed the 1st/2nd Llandudno Scout Group but the two Cub Packs remained in existence with boys from both cub packs going into the one scout troop.

This arrangement lasted until July 1985 when the lst and 2nd Llandudno reverted to their former independence and once again we had a 1st and 2nd Llandudno scout group. The current Orme Scout Group came about when both groups once again merged and this time created a new identity for themselves and based their name on the Great Orme under whose shadow their headquarters stood. Notes from Mr. Roberts of Llandudno refers to the 1st Llandudno as being sea scouts in the 1930’s wearing navy jerseys with “Sea Scouts” in white across the chest, their neckerchiefs being blue and white. At the same time he remembers the 2nd Llandudno St.George’s,having green shirts with red and green neckerchiefs. 

Little is known of the early days of scouting in Llandudno as no written records have been found. However, thanks to Mrs. Pat Schilling of Penrhyn Bay, we have had access to photographs of 1st Llandudno scouts from the 1911-1913 period and these illustrate well the style of uniform and activities that represent the period.  The best illustration has to be a half- life-size pastel drawing of Mrs Shilling’s father Frank Thomas in full scout uniform and carrying a bugle. Mrs Schilling has also provided a tape recording of her auntie’s memories of the early days of the 2nd Llandudno along with several photographs of that troop. 

It is worthy of note that the family of Frank Thomas play a significant role in the development of scouting in Llandudno. We believe that the 1st Llandudno troop closed for the duration of the First World War and soon afterwards, Frank’s younger brother, George, wanted to become a boy scout but there were no scouts in Llandudno at that time. His solution was to become a lone scout. He found that learning the scout test work on his own proved difficult so his older sister, Dorothy, became involved in helping him and very quickly other boys joined in and this led to the formation of the 2nd Llandudno (St. George’s Scout Troop) with his sister, Dorothy Thomas,  becoming the Scoutmaster. It is of interest to note that Miss Thomas was one of the first Lady Scoutmasters in Wales and one of the earliest leaders to gain the Adult Leader Training Award (Wood Badge) and also represented the area at the first meeting of the Welsh Scout Council in Llandrindod Wells in 1925. 

The only other references we have to these earliest days in Llandudno are from the notes of Mr Norman Tuckers “Scout History” of Colwyn Bay… 

Midsummer 1909. 

Half a dozen enthusiasts decided to keep the troop alive and met in the rear of the premises of Mr. J. Wallis, Station Road.   His eldest son, W. Wallis, was Patrol Leader of the Owls.  I being the biggest boy, acted as unofficial leader.   Our numbers grew and we arranged to join the Llandudno troop under Scoutmaster A.E. Cooper, until our own Movement could be reorganised. It was our practice to march to Llandudno, go scouting on the Great Orme or at West Shore (then a remote spot) and march home at night.  In time this proved too severe a strain

 

January 1911. 

That month, Mr. Eric G.S. Walker of Headquarters came to Colwyn Bay, met the local Scouts at the Council Chamber, and addressed a public meeting.  Schoolmasters were invited.  A lantern lecture was given at Rhiw Road on 21 January.  Local Scouts were joined by troops from Conway and Abergele, whilst the 1st Llandudno sent their bugle band to head the parade through the town.