Gainsborough District Scouts & Guides St George's Day Celebrations
Gainsborough District Scouts and Gainsborough Division Guides held their annual St George’s Day Celebration at All Saints on Sunday 26th April. When Baden-Powell started Scouting in 2007 he chose St George to be the patron saint of Scouting as he admired his qualities of selflessness, moral and physical courage, and the ability to face challenges and dangers with confidence and determination, all of which he held to underpin the true purpose of Scouting.
Sunday turned out to be bright and warm and as all the sections in Scouting and Guiding gathered, they were able to take part in a range of activities in the churchyard, including badge making soft tomahawk throwing, jousting, using hobby horses and making party hats. Our thanks are due to 1st Willingham’s Group Lead Volunteer, Leo Spowage for organising these activities and contributing to the success of our event.
The Union Flag, St George’s Flag, District Colours, Guide County Standard and all the Group flags formed a guard of honour outside the main entrance to church to welcome parents and guests to the event. This year Scouting celebrated multiple birthdays Cubs 110years, Beavers 40 years and our newest section, Squirrels for 4–6 year olds, 5 years. Once again 14th Gainsborough took the lead, starting our first Squirrel Drey last year; just as they did with the Beavers back in 1986. The Beavers had organised a competition to design a badge for their camp fire blankets and the entries were on display as people entered church. All the Beavers received a copy of the winning design and the winner, Austin Gaffney from 18th Gainsborough, was presented with his unique badge, which had a gold border.
Once everybody was seated and the celebrations started, Ruari Spowage, narrated the story of St George, with enthusiastic participation in responses from everyone in church. This year before the renewal of our promises and the reminder of our laws, which underpin the values of citizenship, Scouting and Guiding. Before all sections renewed their promises Kat Wilson read a poem entitled Promise and It was fitting that when the Beavers renewed their promises, Gainsborough District’s first Beaver leader, Yvonne Bull, still active at 14th Gainsborough, led this for us.
Bill Hurst, District Lead Volunteer, followed this with the presentation of Long Service Awards to 6 leaders whose range of service varied from 60 to 5 years together with a Chief Scout’s Commendation for Good Service. Diane Rees, Guide Divisional Commissioner, presented Long Service Awards to 11 leaders whose range of service varied from 20 to 5 years. Throughout the past year 47 highest section awards were earned by Explorers, Scouts, Cubs, Beavers and our newest section Squirrels, and 6 highest awards were achieved by the Guides Brownies and Rainbows.