Scouts and Guides to march through Southwell once again for St George's Day on April 22

More than 1,000 young people will be turning out and marching through Southwell on Saturday, April 22, to honour St George, the patron saint of England.

Scouts and Guides from Southwell, Farnsfield and other parts of Nottingham will march from the Burgage to Southwell Minster for a special gathering and promise renewal before parading from the minster to the Memorial Field for dismissal.

For many of the young people, attending the St George’s Day Parade will be a brand-new experience, but none more so than for the members of the youngest, and newest Scout Section, Squirrel Scouts (four-six years), who will be joining the parade for the very first time following their introduction in 2021.

Consisting of up to four parades, it is expected that over 16 Scout Groups from Central Notts Scout District, covering from Carlton to Southwell, and girls in Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers from Southwell, Westdale and Daybrook Divisions will join together to form a spectacle on the day.

Ross Bashton, central Notts assistant district commissioner for media and communications, said: “Whilst our St George’s Day parade has been taking place for over 60 years, this year’s parade will be special for a number of reasons.

“It will be the first time since 2019 that we will see Scouts and Guides marching through the streets of Southwell following the coronavirus pandemic.

“More importantly, it will be the first time that Central Notts Scouts and Girlguiding Nottinghamshire will have joined together to renew their promises to His Majesty The King, following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, patron of both Scouts and Girlguiding, in September last year.”

The parade will march off from the Burgage in Southwell at 2:15pm with the Promise Renewal taking place inside Southwell Minster, before a second parade to Bishops Drive.

For more details on joining Central Notts Scouts or Girlguiding Nottinghamshire please visit www.centralnotts.org.uk or www.girlguidingnottinghamshire.org.uk/

Since the pandemic, both Central Notts Scouts and Girlguiding Nottinghamshire have seen an increase in youth membership. The movement is always looking to welcome more members aged between four and 18. For those over 18, you can be involved too as an adult volunteer, passing on your skills and knowledge to the next generation.