To the uninitiated the name ‘THE GUZZLERS’ might conjure up thoughts of drunken rampages through the Old Town! Not in the least! The name is given to the Association of ex-members and those who have had some involvement with the 3rd CB in the past but still wish to remain in touch with the activities of the Group, even though it is no longer a main interest. The title also neatly sums up the experiences of the 1000-1500 boys and girls, aged from 6 to 18 plus who have passed through the Group since 1933, and who just might have consumed the odd jar and have, in their time, run up and down the High Street, but only in high spirits you will understand!

Keep track of the Guzzlers’ activities by following our Facebook Group at facebook.com/groups/leighcreekguzzlers/.

Upcoming Guzzler Events

THE GUZZLERS were formed in October 1982 to provide opportunities for members to remain in contact with each other, and the Group, to meet socially and use The Den as a base for occasional boating activities.

Since we were formed we have funded, via our annual membership fee, a variety of items for the Group. An Honours Board was designed and manufactured in 1988 recording the names of Kings/Queens Scouts, GSM/Ls and holders of Meritorious Service and other Awards, this was followed by a Patrol of the Month Pennant, 3rdCB banners for camp, an electronic Weather Station, Guzzlers Challenge Trophy and a sizeable contribution was made to enable the Group to purchase The Guzzler, a 14′ Tideway sailing dinghy, in 1994. In 2001 we paid for a replacement flag mast which was installed in the same year and in 2002 the Weather Station was replaced with more modern equipment. In 2005 new binoculars were bought for the duty men to keep an eye on boating activities, in 2013 we funded a tent for the Cubs and in 2019, a Gourmet, 6 burner, state of the art Gas Barbecue was purchased to be taken to Summer Camp to cater for the large number of members attending.

Apart from the occasional sailing day at The Den, in June or July dependant on tides, we hold three Pub Nights during the year; the one in October is combined with a short AGM. Activities have included a successful staged trip down the Thames Estuary and East Coast to Ipswich for the Gaffers Week in an open whaler, extended weekend sailings to South Coast marinas and the near continent in the Rona Sailing Project’s yachts Helen Mary R, Rona II and Merrilyn , and individually organised use of members’ boats. Notable other events include Trafalgar Night Dinners, a black tie affair at ‘The Smack’ in 2005, 2014 at Lavenham and at Benfleet Yacht Club in 2016, a Barge Weekend on ‘Reminder’ for 15 members to celebrate 25 years of ‘The GUZZLERS’, and a trip up to the pool of London and back to Southend Pier on PS Waverley in 2015.

The Association, which has around 50 members, is run by a small committee and applications for membership can be made either by using the electronic form which can be found below and also a standing order form:

Application Form      Standing Order Form

or by contacting the Secretary at the address below:

Stuart Clay
Old Cleeve,
383 Sandyhurst Lane,
Ashford,
Kent, TN25 4PF
UNTIED KINGDOM

01233 623732
Email: clay_oldcleeve@ntlworld.com