THIS week in Down Memory Lane, despite the cold weather, we visit Boy Scout camp in 1951.

I was recently talking to John Snell, of Grays, a friend of Thurrock Museum, about how great old photographs are for interpreting the past – as long as people write down the date or event and the names of those on it!

He recently came back to the museum with this professional photograph (taken by Romney Photo Studios, of 13 Clarence Road, Grays) of his Cub Scout group attending camp in the Orsett or Bulphan area.

He had joined the 7th Grays Cubs and Scouts group, whose headquarters was then at the Congregational Church, in Bradleigh Avenue, Grays.

John cannot remember if this was an Easter or summer camp, or any other names of his fellow Scouts on this photo, including the lady serving porridge.

It looks as if they cycled from Grays, as a number of bikes are parked up behind the tents and with shorts they wear caps and berets.

So I hope Thurrock Gazette readers will respond with any information to help John remember some names and for me to record their names for the museum’s photographic archive.

Scouting came to Orsett when the first association was set up in 1909, so the tradition is now 104-years-old in Thurrock and still going strong.

The Seventh Grays Scouts and Fourth Grays Guides and Brownies still meet each week at the Grays United Reformed Church site in their own building.