About Us

Our current subscription rate for all sections is £10 per month.

We use a system for our administration called Online Scout Manager (OSM) which offers us a facility that allows all parents the ability to pay for their son/daughter’s monthly subscription fees and selected activities by an online payment method. This facility is through a company called GoCardless. (GoCardless is sponsored by the Royal Bank of Scotland and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority).

You will be sent a Payment Request email via Online Scout Manager when a payment is due. You will also be sent automatic reminders as the due date for payment approaches.

The system operates in two modes:

• Subscription – your direct debit will automatically be debited when there are payments needed for your child

• Pay Now – you have to approve each payment by logging into the payments area of your parent portal

Whether or not you choose to authorise each payment individually, or subscribe to them all, you will be emailed each time a payment is needed and you’ll be able to cancel it if you want. All payments are protected by the Direct Debit Guarantee. If you have any questions or queries please do not hesitate to contact The Group Treasurer.

Gift Aid is a tax relief set up by the Government to enable charities to claim back 25p for every eligible £1 donation that is made to charity.

Every Scout Group, as well as District, County and The Scouts HQ itself is a charity and so we are able to claim 25% on eligible donations made to us by UK taxpayers. This includes any subscription fees that we receive from parents or carers. In order for us to collect the Gift Aid we need a completed Gift Aid declaration. We use Online Scout Manager to manage our payments and collect Gift Aid, so when you sign up for the subscription we will send you a Gift Aid Declaration by email for you to complete.

Individuals pay different amounts of tax to the government depending on their income. This is called Income Tax Rate and Bands. This effects the Gift Aid you may or may not be eligible for, and the tax benefits you could receive.

Families on lower incomes, such as those that receive free school meals or with an income below £12,500 per year, may not be eligible for Gift Aid.

If you’re a Higher Rate taxpayer with income above £50,001 per year, you can claim the difference back from HMRC. For example: You donate £100 to charity - they claim Gift Aid to make your donation £125. You pay 40% tax so you can personally claim back £25.00 (£125 x 20%). You can claim the difference either through your Self Assessment Tax Return or by asking HMRC to amend your tax code.

Records show that the 1st Castle Hedingham Scout Group, or Troop as it was originally known, was first registered on 22nd November 1921 with 11 boys and 1 leader - Musette Majendie. The troop met at her home, Hedingham Castle, the family seat of the Earls of Oxford. and owned by the Madenjie family for 250 years. The castle features on our badge to this day. Click below to read more and see some photos and old records too.

Read more about our history >

Scouting exists to actively engage and support young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society.

As Scouts we are guided by these values:

• Integrity - We act with integrity; we are honest, trustworthy and loyal.

• Respect - We have self-respect and respect for others.

• Care - We support others and take care of the world in which we live.

• Belief - We explore our faiths, beliefs and attitudes.

• Co-operation - We make a positive difference; we co-operate with others and make friends.

Scouting takes place when young people, in partnership with adults, work together based on the values of Scouting and:

• enjoy what they are doing and have fun

• take part in activities indoors and outdoors

• learn by doing

• share in spiritual reflection

• take responsibility and make choices

• undertake new and challenging activities

• make and live by their Promise.

As a Scout Group we are operate as an educational charity.

• Every Scout Group is an autonomous organisation holding its property and equipment and admitting young people to membership of the Scout Group subject to the policy and rules of The Scout Association.

• A Scout Group is led by a Group Scout Leader and managed by a Group Executive Committee. They are accountable to the Group Scout Council for the satisfactory running of the Group.

• The Group Scout Leader is assisted and supported by the adults within the Scout Group in the delivery of the high quality balanced Programme for young people within the Group.