On the 8th of June 1956, Frederick (Fred) Forster, a bricklayer and council area foreman, became Scoutmaster. The son of Robert Forster, Fred was a major influence on the group’s leaders and members and was a highly respected member of the community.

Fred’s warranted service began in January 1953 as an Assistant Scout Leader. His dedication was recognized with numerous awards, including:

• The Long Service Decoration (1976)
• The Medal of Merit (1990)
• The Bar to the Long Service Decoration (1992)
• The Bar to the Medal of Merit (1997)
• The Chief Scout's Long Service Award (1999)
• Honorary Scouter (2003)
• The Silver Acorn Award (2004)

Using the patrol system, Fred nurtured generation after generation of self-confident Scouts, who continue to show him their respect to this day.

With the outbreak of the Second World War on 1st September 1939, many former Burnmoor Scouts enlisted in the Armed Forces. Sadly, some did not return. Those known to have made the ultimate sacrifice include:

• Cuthbert John Turner.
• William Garbutt Henderson (Scoutmaster). 
• Joseph Winship Taylor. 
• Thomas Douglas Elliott.
• Jack Watson.
• John Charlton.
• Richard Edwin Hewison.

After the war, another former 1st Herrington assistant Scoutmaster, Mr. Robert Forster, became Scoutmaster of 1st Burnmoor. A coal mine fitter at Sixth Pit, he became affectionately known as "Skip." The group now met at an old concert hall near the beck in the dip, down from the current Scout hall.

In the early years, Skip took the Scouts to camps using a trek cart, travelling to places such as the Old Mill at Lumley. They also camped at Crutherston, Eastgate, Blanchland, Raby Castle, and Carlisle. The group camped in bell tents, cooked on open fires, and carried out kit inspections, a practice that continues to this day.

Skip, having learned from 1st Herrington’s strict taskmasters, Dickinson and McLaren, upheld the same high standards. He was known for being strict but was highly respected by the Scouts. Campfires were a key part of the experience, with Skip’s favourite song being "My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean," complete with actions!

Group activities included gymnastics and table tennis, as well as traditional Scouting skills such as knotting, estimating, signalling, and tracking.

In 1966, the group camped at Cargo during the World Cup. The local residents invited the Scouts into their homes to watch the match. On Sunday, the group attended the village church, and the congregation was so pleased to see the church full that they bought ice creams for all the boys.

On the 6th of April 1933, the group’s name was changed to 1st Burnmoor. In the early 1930s, Mr. W. G. Henderson, an insurance agent, became Scoutmaster. He had previously served as a Scoutmaster at 1st Herrington.

We are a band of troubadour’s,
We come from County Durham,
We Like to play, We like to play,
Upon the Piano, Upon the Piano,
A Plikity Plonk, A Plikity Plonk, A Plikity Plikity Plonk,
A Plikity Plonk, A Plikity Plonk, A Plikity Plikity Plonk,

Upon the base Drum…
Ba-Boom, Ba-Boom, Ba-Boom, Ba-Boom, Ba-Boom, Ba-Boom

Upon the Violin…
A-Vee, A-Vee, A-Vee, A-Vee, A-Vee, A-Vee, A-Vee,