The first camping fields owned by Northampton Scouts were at Glebe Meadow (Duston) and Spinney Hill. These were acquired after an appeal by the President Samuel Yarde. There does not appear to be any documentation as to dates of acquisition and disposal.

1927

27^th September the District Commissioner (Gregory Roberts) reported to an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Northampton District Boy Scout Association that a field of 4 acres 1 rood was on offer for the sum of £250 from the estate of H. Leggett. Negotiations took place and in November the field was acquired for £200.Some of the money was borrowed from Browne Wells Solicitors and an appeal was launched to raise the remainder.

1928

May this year saw the well being sunk at a cost of £60 with the work being carried out by the Rovers and leaders of the District. This year also saw the first Thornton Trophy camping competition being help. The winners were the 7^th Northampton Queen’s Road.

1929

In March the first patrol camp was held.

During the annual camp of 19th St. James at Broadstone Warren, Kent, in August 1929, one of the Patrol Leaders was out for the day with his Patrol when they were approached by a gentleman who asked if they were from Northampton. He had recognised the hatband!! He asked them if they would like to visit the circus, and in reply, the PL stated: “It was very kind of him, but if he wished to give some money to the Scouts, perhaps he would like to give it to all Northampton Scouts”. This was how Henry Lineham was introduced to the Northampton Scout Association, HOWEVER, what still remains a mystery is the name of the Scout who said those immortal words which impressed Henry Lineham so much.

1930

At the 18th Annual General Meeting of the Northampton Scout Association, Henry Lineham made the offer of £25 if three other gentlemen would do the same in order that a hut or pavilion could be erected in the camping field. Weeks later, plans were made and a pavilion 30ft by 22ft was built by Mr. H. Cross for £100.

It was on Saturday 24th May, 300 Wolf Cubs and Scouts paraded in the camping field to witness the official opening of the Pavilion by the Mayor of Northampton, Councillor Ralph Smith. Within days, Major W. Hughes, District Commissioner in 1911, offered the Association loose timber from a wood that was part of his property at Billing Gate. In September, he went one step further when he offered to sell the Association this land, Blackthorn Wood consisting of some 14 acres. At the Annual General Meeting in November, Alan Page stood down  as President.

Gregory Roberts (DC), during his report, spoke of the camping ground and gave the news that Henry Lineham had purchased and given Blackthorn Wood to the Northampton Scout Association. Mr. Lineham also offered the Scouts £100 for a swimming pool to be made.  Gregory Roberts then continued with the news that the Chief Scout had awarded Henry Lineham the Gold Thanks Badge. Amidst vociferous acclamation, Mr. Lineham, who was 80 years old, was elected the Association’s new President.

1931

On All Fools Day (1st April) Blackthorn hosted the first Patrol camp. The foundations were laid for the swimming pool, and again, all the work was carried out by the Rovers, Leaders and Scouts of the local Association.On August 22nd the Headquarters Commissioner, Mr. Piers Power, and the Mayor, Councillor E.J. Ingham, officially opened the swimming pool and then presented Henry Lineham with the Medal of Merit, in recognition of his efforts towards the Camping Ground.Towards the end of this year, the wood adjacent to the Top Field was up for sale. This wood known as Fox Covert, was purchased from the Great Billing Estates for £100, and so, by October the Association owned 22 acres.

The swimming pool had produced 37 swimmer badges compared to 9 the previous year, and 19 rescuer badges compared to none.  

1932

In this year, a ship’s bell was given to the site by R. O. Raven of the Bull Hotel. Flags and a clock were also donated, and Henry Lineham donated the dressing rooms for the swimming pool. To help the site look more like woodland, trees, bulbs and plants were donated by J. O. L. Swann of Towcester, Councillor S. Perkins and Major St. J. Browne.A young Scout decided that he needed money for his summer camp. He picked 80lbs of blackberries at the Camping Ground then sold them off and banked the money for his camp!!!

A shelter and kit-store was built in Fox Covert, having been given to the Camping Ground by W. T. Sears. This shelter was to serve the Top Field for cover from any inclement elements and to house the kit store. Each Group was allocated a cage within the building were they could keep camping kit ready for their frequent visits. 

As a token of recognition of one man’s kindness, Henry Lineham was presented with a morocco-bound, gilt edged book bearing the letter “L” and an arrow-head in each corner. Every leader and Scout within the District had signed it and many were present to see it given to Mr. Lineham at the 21st Annual General Meeting in November.Just three weeks after the AGM, Mr. Lineham died. His pall-bearers being local Scout Leaders.

In December, many trees were cleared from Blackthorn and Councillor S. Perkins presented several hundred new trees for planting.

1933

To the memory of Henry Lineham ,his nieces, the Misses Hutchinson, presented a pair of oak gates for the entrance to Blackthorn. On the gateposts to the wood, is an inscription: “BLACKTHORN WOOD, PRESENTED BY HENRY LINEHAM TO THE NORTHAMPTON BOY SCOUTS 1930. HE WENT ABOUT DOING GOOD.” 

1934

Camping was so popular the District felt it would be beneficial to the Groups if they were allocated an individual small site within Blackthorn so that Scouts cold camp whenever they chose. The allocation of sites was made in February. Each group shouldmaintain their own site.

1935

Henry Lineham’s successor as President was W. T. Sears of the boot and shoe fame, and in 1935 he gave £80 to purchase the Cub Field. It was here and in the Top Field that the Wolf Cubs held a rally on Saturday 21st September.They were lucky enough to choose the Saturday as the following day saw one of the fiercest storms ever to hit Northampton

1936

This year brought a storm of a different kind. It would appear, according to the minutes, that there was a difference of opinion between the DC, Gregory Roberts, and all others as to what actually took place, but Mr. Roberts would not give way and in the end, resigned as District Commissioner after 23 years service to the Scouts of Northampton.

The new DC, Robert C. Smith, a director of Henry Martin Ltd. picked up the threads by doing away with the joint office of DC and Chairman, and he then set up the Camping Ground Committee. This action, apparently, was the subject under discussion which led to Gregory Robert’s resignation.

The Camping Ground committee who were to manage the affairs of the grounds was formed and, in turn, they formed the Service Team. 

1937

A new flagpole was erected in the Top Field,

1938

The water supply to Blackthorn was from a fresh-water spring, it was found to be impure and everyone was advised to boil it before use. The pipe that feeds the swimming pool was laid through Blackthorn to the spring during 1939 and the handpump in the Top Field well was reconditioned at a cost of £55. 

1941

On April 10^th, a bomb blast broke the windows in the pavilion and the kit store, but the Association was unable to claim compensation for repairs as the damage was not considered large enough! During the war years, camping was banned by the Government, although towards the latter years, it was allowed again providing use was made of camouflaged tents.

The woods did not look their usual selves, as many of the trees had been cut for pit props and the Cub Field requisitioned by the Ministry of Supply to store flax. But the war did have a bright side.....An income of £180 was forthcoming from the sale of the wood! It was in the cub field that many members of the District gathered to give displays when Hayden Dimmock, the Editor of The Scout, visited the site. Towards the end of the war, Robert Smith had been succeeded as District Commissioner by George Moss and plans were being made for the development of the Camping ground. Included in the plans, was one for a permanent Warden or Bailiff but this never materialised.  

1946

It was in May, at the 33rd Annual General Meeting of the Northampton Scout Association that George Moss launched an appeal to raise £2,000 to build a memorial hall, to the memory of the Scouts and Leaders who gave their lives in the war, a total of 32. The original drawing showed a flat building housing a main room with a kitchen and a leaders room flanked either side by a garage and warden’s quarters and the main doors should have overlooked the field - not the road!

Some 695 camping nights were recorded on site, much maintenance  was carried out, the remains of the flax ricks burnt and the Cub Field derequisitioned by the Ministry of supply and handed back to the Scouts of Northampton. 

1947

The first of many bazaars was held to raise funds for the Memorial Hall in April, but money was slow in coming in, and it was some time before the work could begin on the building. 

1951

It could be assumed that the Service Team was short of members as the Northampton Boy Scouts Local Association Bulletin issued in April stated “Each Troop is requested to send five or more Scouts to Overstone Camping Ground on Saturday, April 21st or Sunday April 22nd. The object being a general clearing up of sites, pool and ground in preparation for the coming season. Scouters are asked to cooperate with Rovers in taking charge of various operations”.  

The Memorial Hall appeal was slow to gain funds as after 4 years, the Association had only raised £1,077, and inevitably, costs were beginning to rise.

1952

The plans for the Memorial Hall had been modified in order to keep costs down. The grounds were constantly in use for one activity or other. Badge training courses, Leader training, weekend camps and, of course, much maintenance.

The Rover Scouts were busy building an open-air chapel and on a sunny Saturday evening, 10th May, the chapel saw a gathering of Rovers, Leaders, Scouts and parents who came to see the dedication conducted by Rev. George North (GSL 4th Christchurch) assisted by Rev. J. D. Ashplant. The act of Dedication was performed by the Bishop of Peterborough (Dr. Spencer Leeson)

Robert Smith, the President and former DC died and was succeeded  by Will H. Smith who made an offer of a loan in order that the work on the Memorial Hall could get underway. 

1954

At long last, the final plans for the building of the Memorial Hall were complete at an estimated cost of £2,190. Although there was a shortfall in the fund, the President (W.H.Smith) made an immediate gift of £500 and work by Henry Martin Ltd. began in January.

During August, many Scouts were in camp at the same time as the Northamptonshire Rover Moot was taking place, and on Saturday 28th August, the Memorial Hall was declare open by Mrs. W. H. Smith, the wife of the President. Mrs. Smith drew attention to the Memorial tablet designed by a former Grammar School Scout, Gordon Rushman. The Rural Dean, Cannon Hussey gave a blessing and the Mayor of Northampton (Alderman J. V. Collier) concluded the proceedings with a few words. The final cost was £2,326, to which would have to be added the cost of furniture, curtains and other items, had it not been for the generosity of many friends of Northampton Scouts.

1955

 The Thornton Trophy was won by 8th St. Albans, and after the presentation, the “Bob Smith” gate to the Memorial Hall was opened in memory of the immediate past President and District Commissioner. 

1960

In March the President, Will Smith died but his name is perpetuated with the erection of the Will Smith Chalet thanks to a legacy of £1,000 in his will to the local Scout Association. 

1961

New latrines were built to replace the two tin hut elsans, and the County Council acquired half an acre of land to smooth out the bend. With the £100 the Association received as compensation.

1963

Electricity supply was laid to the Memorial Hall.

1965

After much building, the Will Smith Chalet was opened in Blackthorn. When the Rover Scouts found that the bunk house was to be demolished, they set to and moved it to Fox Covert to make their own den.

1967

A “new look” came to Scouting when the word “Boy” was dropped and various changes to the sections and uniform took place. In view of this, the District Rover Scouts carried a mock coffin from the town centre to Overstone during the weekend of 30th September/1st October, in which had been placed a Rover and a Senior Scout epaulette, by the ADC Rovers, Reg Moore, and Venture Scouts, Brian Brayshaw.

The Rovers then performed the “last rites” and set light to the coffin to herald the start of Venture Scouting in Northampton.

1968

The newly formed Venture Scouts built out of telegraph poles, the abseil tower which stood in the Top Field. 

1969

During this year, two toilet blocks were built. The one in Fox Covert was brick built with 3 elsan closets and a urinal. Just behind the block was the cess pit where the elsans were emptied.

In Blackthorn the block was built from a pre-fabricated garage and housed ladies and gents toilets and washing facilities. A cess pit was sunk and flush toilets were introduced.

1970

June saw the first of the popular Father  Son camps, when many dads recalled their own days of boyhood and renewed friendship when they had been Scouts in yesteryear.

At the AGM this year, the guest speaker was Dr. John Weston, General Manager of the Northampton Development Corporation, who spoke about “expanding Northampton”. When questioned about any new roads affecting the Camping Ground, he stated that plans would not be finalised for another 2 years.

1971

Throughout the whole of this year preparations had been going on for the first really large District expedition to Gibraltar and Morocco. Many of the shake-down camps were held at Overstone, including one over the Cup Final weekend. One of the large marquees housed about 6 televisions and all members of the expedition were glued to the sets watching to see who would win!

1972

The roof to the Memorial Hall needed repairing and ideas were mooted to build a Pack Holiday Centre to accommodate Cubs

1973

Negotiations with Northampton Development Corporation finally came to an end in November, and proposals were accepted by an Extraordinary General meeting of the District Scout Council, resulting in the road going through Fox Covert but with adequate compensation in land and trees. This was when the “New Field” came into being. The Bomb Hole was dug by the road contactors as a pioneering obstacle. Fox Covert became known as Fox Covert North and Fox Covert South. “South” being the part of the wood accessible only by the footbridge and “North” being the wood adjacent to the Top Field.

Up until now, the by-way ran the length of the wall down Cut Throat Lane which meant horses & walkers had free access to the camping ground. The by-way was moved to its present position, around the fields.

1974

Outline plans had been produced for a first floor to be added to the Memorial Hall at an estimated cost of £3,000.

1976

The summer was a real scorcher, when, over one weekend in June, the District’s first Family Camp was held in the Top Field. Over 120 families gathered for a weekend of fun and friendship. These continued until the reorganisation of the District in 1985.

In the autumn, an appeal was launched to place an upper floor on the Memorial Hall to accommodate the ever growing numbers of Cubs who wanted to camp, but were not allowed to be under canvass. By October the costs had risen to £5,000 and so the “Buy a Brick” scheme became the appeal slogan.

1977

During March, the Service Team performed one of their magnificent feats. Led by Mick West (Deputy Warden) and Eric Knight, they removed a Terrapin building from the Royal Insurance site on the Market Square and re-built it in the Cub Field.

The building had been offered free to any organisation who were prepared to move it, but the Service Team were the only ones prepared to put in the time and effort to do it!! Some very advanced pioneering was used and some 2,080 man hours was needed to complete the project. The total cost of the move came to £150. One of the first occupants of the new Royal Building was the 46th Northampton (Overstone) Scout Group.

1978

This was a celebration year for the Site. It reached its fiftieth birthday. Many events were organised to mark the occasion, including a Barn Dance, District Camp, Father and Son and Family camps, but perhaps it was the special presentation ceremony at the conclusion of the Thornton Trophy that brought about the memories of the camping ground. Each Scout Leader and Patrol Leader of previous winning patrols who were able to attend, received a small memento of the occasion.

During all the festivities, thoughts were still going on about the building of the Pack Holiday Centre, and in October, work began.

A caravan was purchased from the BP guild Holidays Home Trust for £10, and was moved to the camping ground on 5th November to be used as Service team accommodation. The caravan was originally sited at Billing Aquadrome and had been opened by Chris Gittings, (Walter Gabrial of the Archers fame) in 1970.

A bit of a disaster hit the site this year, when, on 3rd March, the pumphouse, which provided water to the site, was destroyed by fire. All known groups who were due to camp were asked to bring their own water for the weekend.

1979

1938 the water was found to be impure and everyone advised to boil it and this year, the Chief Environmental Officer placed a “closure” notice on the supply. This was overcome by the installation of UV purifying units at a cost of £800 in time for the Family Camp of that year. 

1980

By now, estimates for the building of the upper floor to the Memorial hall had escalated. The Autumn Fairs at the Drill Hall each year raised some money, but it was from other sources and sponsored fund raising events that the monies required for the building were raised. There were some very generous donations from many individuals and from the Cub section, the Gang Show, the Scout Shop and at the AGM a scheme of “short term interest free loans” was launched to raise the balance of the cash to complete the job.

Venture Scouts built the outdoor rifle range.

Gradually the money for the building began to creep up towards the target, with further donations and grants from the two Northampton Rotary Clubs and the Nene Foundation. Local industry also assisted in bringing in more money as did many individual donations.

The water pipe was laid in Blackthorn and in-between finishing off the PHC, the Service Team dismantled a wooden building and rebuilt it as The Blue Light Club.

1981

The weather was excellent on Sunday 21st June, when the great day dawned to officially open the PHC. The original estimate of £3,000 had now risen to a cost of over £25,000.

The official opening was performed by Michael Beech, the HQ Commissioner for Cub Scouts who congratulated all concerned  with the project and stressed that there was no question that a building of this sort was needed to accommodate the ever increasing numbers of Cubs over the previous ten years.

The Memorial Hall now consisted of the main hall downstairs with the kitchen and a leaders day room, and dormitory facilities for Cubs upstairs together with toilets and wash rooms that replaced the corrugated iron outside loos. Two smaller rooms for leaders sleeping were named after two very popular members of the Northampton Scout District, Keith Locke and Chris Norton.

Dutch Elm disease was rife and Blackthorn suffered. The autumn saw contractors move in to greatly thin out the trees and remove those affected by the disease.

1983

An artificial ski-slope was acquired from the local college and laid in Blackthorn. It was not suitable as a ski-slope but many happy hours were spent by the Scouts on the toboggans that were available.

1985

Another wooden building came available and the Service Team did their usual thing by dismantling and re-erecting it as the Warden’s Lodge and Radio Shack.

1990

The Kit-store in Fox Covert was razed to the ground by arsonists. The death occurred of Walt Lane. Walt was the Scout Master of St Edmunds Troop and was often seen riding his bike to Overstone when he was over 80 years old. He did valuable service to the site by burning rubbish and trimming the hedge around the Chapel. His ashes are buried in the Chapel.

The Chief Scout, Garth Morrison, visited the site.

1991

The Pavilion had lasted 31 years with various repairs done over the years due to vandalism, but this year saw the Pav completely destroyed by fire.

A new shelter was built in the New Field using the salvaged roof trusses of the Pav and kit store.

1992

Eric Chapman died. Eric was heavily involved in Scouting being a GSM, ADC and DC. At this time, the job of Warden at Overstone went with the job of DC so Eric and Richard Johnson (SM 32^nd Eaglehurst College) could frequently be seen felling trees, running training courses not only for leaders but also for the boys at Overstone. Eric’s ashes are in the Chapel. He left some money to Overstone and the Chapel was refurbished using this gift.

1993

The water was, yet again, declared impure. Until this time, water for the site came from a well in the Top Field which fed that field and the Pack Holiday Centre, and from a spring in Blackthorn which fed the woods. Mains water was introduced to the PHC and later extended to Blackthorn.

Uproar within the District ensued when building contractors made an offer for the Top Field and Fox Covert North. Eventually, this was sold for some £750,000  

1994

Harold Matthews had been the Management Committee Chairman for some years and he decided that it was time to retire. He was presented with an oil painting of a scene from Overstone and at the same time after the completion of the refurbishment of the Chapel, it was re-dedicated.

The swimming pool changing huts had been prone to vandalism and with the closure of the pool, the huts were moved to the Cub Field as a new shelter.

A new Service Team building was found and transported to the site whilst the other two caravans were demolished. 

 1995

 A major argument involving the Site Warden erupted. In February the Service Team had to pack his belongings and he was removed from site. In June, the Warden's Lodge suffered a major fire and had to be re-built. Fortunately the Radio Shack only suffered smoke damage.

 1998

 By now, the Service Team of 7 was virtually non-existent due to the continual arguments between them and the Management Committee. It seemed as if the Team could do nothing to ease the situation.

As the Districts had come into quite a lot of money from the sale of the Top Field, it was agreed that a security fence was put up around the site. Keys were issued to GSL's for them to re-distribute to their leaders.

Also, the mains water was extended to include Blackthorn the well was filled in and the pump house demolished.

The pool had laid empty for some years and plans were drawn up to get the area into use as a multi-activity area. Work on this continues today.

In November the District celebrated 75 years of Blackthorn by unveiling a commemorative stone in the wall next to Henry Lineham's stone.

Phil Barrows successor, Dave Watts, decided that he could no longer continue as Warden and resigned from the end of the year.

Due to a change of District Commissioner in the early part of the year, some of the stalwarts of Overstone were forced into leaving. Work on the new activity area was abandoned.