IT is the Hampshire youth group that has promoted co-operation, peace, democracy and equality to hundreds of children.

Southampton Woodcraft Folk, a pioneering children's and young people's organisation, has celebrated its 90th birthday.

Woodcraft Folk, which boasts more than 4,000 members across the UK, was started in 1925 by former Scout leaders who broke with what they considered to be that organisation's militaristic approach in the years immediately after the First World War.

• Southampton Woodcraft Folk through the years - in pictures >> 

Its aim was to have fun while trying to develop children’s self-confidence and their awareness of society.

As the name suggests, the founding fathers wanted youngsters to learn the skills of living close to nature.

Barbara Otto’s father Peter Rackham was a keen Woodcrafter in the 1930s and attended a group called the Woodlanders in Shirley, Southampton, at Henty Hall.

She remembers her father talking about camping at Longdown in the New Forest. "They would walk out of Shirley with a trolley for their kit because they didn't have transport."

Another group also met in Woolston and the two cohorts often met for tea on Sundays at Prospect House.

Barbara followed in her father’s footsteps, joining the group in the 1980s with her children.

She made lifelong friends with Trish Roscoe at one of the many camps they attended.

Trish remembers Barbara waking the campers up every morning by playing the flute. She said: “We always sang lots of kids’ songs then when they went to bed we’d stay up and sit around playing folk and blues, and doing funny skits.”

“The Southampton group was always known for its music and singing,” she added.

The group stopped meeting just before the Second World War, but Nina Lambert revived it in the autumn of 1977.

She said: “In those days it was more formal. We did badges and the children had to learn the Woodcraft creed.”

There were up to 100 children in the group in the 1990s.

District co-ordinator Stephen Phillips has been involved since 2001.

“We’ve always had boys and girls together. There is no mandatory uniform, swearing allegiance, or going to church.

“But there is an educational slant. So we try to look at society and world issues like fair trade, trade unions, conflict and how to resolve it.

“I feel the organisation is quite relevant right now with all the conflict in Europe and the refugee crisis.

“But that of course is a long way from what the children see because they’re busy having fun.”

Jacob Lonsdale, 12, is part of the Southampton Midnight Pioneers group. He said: “I’ve been going since I was six. You know everyone there so you’re not surrounded by strangers but if someone new comes along it’s really nice to greet them.

“I really like cooking and we make smoothies and pizzas at each other’s houses.”

The group celebrated on Saturday with a birthday party at St Denys Church.

Southampton Woodcraft Folk holds groups for Elfins (6-9 years), Pioneers (10-12 years), Venturers (13-15 years).

New members are always welcome. To find out more call (023) 8178 0709.