A Scout group with a long and unusual history needs help.

The Loose Swiss Scouts own 45 acres of countryside between Loose and Boughton Monchelsea.

The land was purchased by the group in 1982 by public subscription and with the aid of grants to give the Scouts somewhere to hold their annual camp and to carry out traditional Scouting activities such as tracking, tree identification and campfire sing-alongs.

The Swiss Valley, as it is known, runs alongside the Loose Stream and includes two fishing lakes, which are currently let out to the Kingfisher Angling and Preservation Society.

Much of the land has also been fenced into paddocks and let to a Stockbury farmer, Andy Town, for sheep grazing.

The two lets bring in sufficient income – with a little help from a fundraising committee - to cover the costs of managing the land, but the Scouts can’t find a volunteer to do the job.

Bob Jesshope, of Leigh Avenue, Loose, held the role of Land Warden for more than 40 years, but he retired in 2019 at the age of 80.

A number of the group’s leaders have been carrying out the role since, but now they too have had to quit.

Mr Jesshope said: “It’s a problem all over. So many organisations struggle to find volunteers these days.”

The Scout group, led by Debbie Hayes, has written to all the parents of the Scout, Cub and Beaver packs, appealing for a volunteer or volunteers to come forward, but so far without luck.

Now, the group is looking wider afield.

Mr Jesshope said: “The Scouts have all the equipment needed – saws, chainsaws, safety equipment, high-vis gear. There’s even a Land Rover and trailer.”

“The work involves general maintenance of the land: hedge-cutting, occasionally dealing with fallen trees, some coppicing, occasional repairs to the footpaths.

“Obviously someone with experience would be welcome, but the Scouts can pay for training for any enthusiastic novices.”

The Loose Swiss Scout Group is 115 years old this year.

The troop started in 1908 when some boys in the Loose Valley, Harold Bennett and Alf Langley, heard about the new Scout movement that had been launched by Lord Baden Powell only the year before and approached 23-year-old Jack Barcham Green, the son of a local businessman, Herbert Green, for help in setting up a local patrol.

Mr Green, who later took over from his father as owner of the Barcham Green Paper Company that operated Hayle Mill in Tovil, was keen to help.

The young Barcham Green had spent much time in Switzerland learning about the paper trade there and it was while living there that he met Emily, who was to become his wife.

When the couple returned to England, he set about recreating her beloved homeland round about her.

He renamed their home at number 683 Loose Road as Swiss Cottage; he designated part of the Loose Valley near the mill, as Little Switzerland, and when he founded a Scout Group, he christened them the Swiss Scouts.

They in turn christened the land they purchased from Joan Foster Clarke, daughter of the custard powder king, the ‘Swiss Valley.’

The valley has long been recognised as a place of beauty. It was referred to as ‘The Valley of Dreams’ by author Donald Maxwell in his book The Enchanted Road.

Although the Loose Stream does not originate in the valley – its source is in Langley – it does arise there after running underground for some length.

It feeds three ponds: Heron Pond, Leg Of Mutton Pond and Salts Pond, which were all originally man-made millponds, though the mills have long gone.

There is a fourth, rain-fed pond known as Dipper pond, though that is almost dry at present.

From Heron Pond, the Loose Stream runs over a weir, feeding an ancient sheep dip, before moving on to Leg of Mutton Pond.

The wildlife includes rabbits, badgers, plenty of foxes, and some ducks – moorhens and coots – though not so many, as mink have also been seen in the valley in the past.

The ponds contain both trout and koi carp, a vestige of the days when Heron Pond was once used as a fish farm.

The bird life includes Canada Geese, occasionally a pair of Chinese Geese, and a white egret.

The valley is divided into two key areas in a roughly 60/40 split. The pasture land is fenced off with no public access. It includes a large number of standard trees, many of which have been planted as memorials to past members of the Scout Group.

There are also two memorial benches. There’s also a string of four Lombardy Populars named after the Apostles, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

The woodland area includes the vestige of a ragstone quarry, known as Fox’s Quarry, and is accessible to the public from several of the network of public footpaths that cross-cross the area. It even has its own cave.

The valley lies adjacent to the newly extended Boughton Monchelsea Conservation Area and lies partly within the Loose Valley Conservation Area.

Debbie Hayes is the Scouts’ group chairman.

She said: “The responsibilities of the wardens will include regular inspections of the fields and woodlands, ensuring the footpaths are clear and safe for use, coordinating with the tenant farmer regarding land management, and liaising with local authorities to address any issues that may arise.

“By taking on the roles, the new warden or wardens will play a pivotal part in preserving the natural beauty of Swiss Valley and fostering a sense of community among all who enjoy this wonderful space.”

The Swiss Scouts have their headquarters building in Pickering Street.

Volunteers who could be interested in the un-paid post should contact Ms Hayes by email to debbie.hayes@probetech.co.uk