A brief History of the South Eastern Region
The Camping Club became entitled to hold a ‘Certificate of Exemption’ under the provision of the 1936 Public Health Act. This meant camping meets could be held without having to negotiate terms with individual Local Authorities.
Much work was done up to the start of the Second World War on the establishment and management of Club Sites. After the War, the National Council held its regular meetings on Club Sites and in 1947 held a meeting at Milarrochy Bay Club Site – hosted by the newly formed Scottish Council.
In 1948 it was decided to institute a Regional Structure, based on the organisation of the Scottish Council. This was designed to decentralise much of the Club’s work and place responsibility for local affairs in the hands of Club members on the spot.
Up until that time every Club Site and DA was entitled to send a Representative, with full voting rights, to the National Council. Since there were now 22 DAs and around 33 Club Sites the Council was becoming far too cumbersome. The new Regional Structure would allow more efficient operation with each of the seven Regions being entitled to send a representative to council with full voting rights. The Regions would also assume responsibility for the Club Sites in there respective regions.
In 1948 The South Eastern Region was formed and included in its area; London DA, East Kent DA, West Kent DA and Surrey DA. In 1952 East Kent & Sussex DA replaced East Kent DA but a year later Sussex DA was established as an independent DA. In 1962 Sussex DA was replaced by East Sussex DA and West Sussex DA.
West Sussex DA was later incorporated into the Southern Region with the Regions formation in 1973. After a period of change, In 1978 South Downs DA and North West Surrey DA were each formed but North West Surrey DA wound up just a year later. West Kent DA was disbanded in 2015, followed by London DA in 2018.
Since its inception in 1948 the South Eastern Region has represented the views of its members to National Council and organised annual Regional camping and social events. This is where all the DAs and Special Interest Sections with units within the boundary of the South Eastern Region get together for social camping, sporting competitions and celebrations.
In 2018 the South Eastern Region celebrated its 70th Anniversary with a special ‘Party in the Park’ Camping Event at Hole Park Estate, Rolvenden, Kent A large marquee, fronted by an ‘arena.’ provided the focal point for the Sports Activities, Arts & Crafts, and Entertainment for all participants, young and old alike. The theme for the event was ‘Celebrations’ and included a full programme of entertainment over the weekend. A superb ‘Celebration Buffet Lunch’ was served to all the campers and visitors in the marquee. The Saturday evening ‘Party in the Park’ entertainment included entertainers ‘Glitter Boots’ playing music from a wide spectrum of styles from the 1970’s right up to date.
<Images from the 70th Anniversary Meet included in the ‘Gallery’ - click here to view>
Apart from the author's contributions, much of this History of the South Eastern Region was extracted from the Club’s “First in the Field” Book written by Hazel Constance (a member of the South Eastern Region) and published in the Club’s Centenary Year 2001, copies of which are still available from Club Head Quarters.
David Croney
Executive Officer and Webmaster South Eastern Region
January 2020
