6^th Shirley (St. James) Scout Group was founded in 1979 and held its first meeting at St. James School on the 7^th November 1979. The Group had 12 Cubs Scouts and 10 Scouts.

In 1981 the Group found themselves without a Headquarters as the school classroom we were using for our meetings was no longer available. The Group made a “temporary” move to St. James Church whilst permanent accommodation could be found. Finally in 1989, the Group moved to its present location at Shirley Heath Junior School. During this time, a Beaver Colony was introduced to the Group.

As time progressed, the Group grew stronger, having added a Beaver Colony and Venture Unit to accommodate the growing need for Scouting in the area.

By the year 2000, it was clear that we had outgrown the size of our Headquarters, and plans were put in place to erect a larger building. Solihull Council approached the Group with the offer of the building previously used by the TA in Haslucks Green Road, Shirley. The building was much larger than our Headquarters at the time, and we were pleased to take up the offer. After securing funding from several sources, together with offers of help from numerous people and companies, we were able to dismantle, transport and erect the building into what is now our present Headquarters – the Barber Tullett Headquarters. The building was officially opened by local celebrity Malcolm Stent in September 2002 on the occasion of the Group BBQ.

2006 saw the opening of a new Beaver Colony and Cub Pack, with leaders and young people joining the Group from the now disbanded 1^st Monkspath Scout Group. Their addition to the Group strengthened the leadership team and makes us one of the largest groups in Solihull Scout County.

At present, the Group has well over 150 young people using its facilities on a weekly basis. These young people are led and supported by a team of over 30 Leaders and Assistants, and an Executive Committee comprised of parents, leaders and members of the local community who all have one thing in common – ensuring young people get the best start in life by getting the most out of Scouting.