Another sunny St George’s celebration!
Scouts process past Romsey Town Hall towards the saluting base (photo: Myreene Sarmiento Lyall)
Romsey District Scouts and Girlguiding Romsey Division joined together once more to celebrate St George’s Day on Sunday afternoon, 27th April.
Around six hundred members of both organisations gathered on The Abbey Green in dappled sunshine to commence the procession around the town. Parents and members of the public lined the town square to watch the young members pass by, carrying their section flags. High Steward of Romsey, Countess Mountbatten, joined the Scout County Commissioner, the joint Acting Scout District Lead Volunteer and the Girlguiding Division Commissioner to take the salutes. They were accompanied on the saluting base by Caroline Nokes, MP, the Deputy Mayor of Test Valley, Cllr Linda Lashbrook, and the Mayor of Romsey, Cllr John Parker. The Romsey Old Cadets provided a tuneful and entertaining accompaniment.
The procession then filed into Romsey Abbey where a reflective service was led by the Romsey Scout District Chaplain and Vicar of Romsey, the Reverend Canon Thomas Wharton. Interactive presentations from the young members of this year’s lead groups, 3rd Romsey Scout Group, 1st Braishfield Brownies and 1st Braishfield Guides, reminded the congregation of the importance of being humble and acting with integrity. During the service, everyone renewed their Promise and reflected on what it means to be a member. It was also an opportunity to publicly celebrate the contributions of some of the many adult volunteers who make it all possible. One notable award for 50 years of service was made to John Mason, a former Romsey District Scout Commissioner and longtime trustee.
John Mason receives his long service award in Romsey Abbey from Joint Acting District Lead Volunteer, James Child (Photo: David Sutton)
The service ended with a retiring collection in support of this year’s nominated charity, Romsey Young Carers. This fantastic local charity support children and young people whose lives are affected by caring for a family member who has long term illness or disability, mental health problems or issues with drugs or alcohol. Romsey Young Carers were chosen by this year’s lead groups and the collection raised over £200.
After the service, the invited guests watched the young people assemble on Abbey Green to be dismissed. They were then invited to join members of both organisations in the Town Hall for tea and cakes, organised and provided by the lead groups. Particular thanks go to the team of parents who helped, including Lisa Treasure, Emma Merrils, Amy Farrell and Trudi Saunders.
Although many areas choose to celebrate St George in different ways today, Scouting and Girlguiding in Romsey continue the tradition of an annual procession and service as it is an important event to both organisations. Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting, chose St George as their patron for his example of selflessness and overcoming great adversity, a lesson for us all even today. It is also a fantastic opportunity to celebrate everything that both organisations offer young people – and their adult volunteers – in Romsey and its surrounding villages.
Squirrel Scouts line up outside Romsey Abbey (photo: Myreene Sarmiento Lyall)
Scouting and Guiding recognise that this event would not be possible without the support of the local community, Romsey Town Hall and Romsey Abbey. They would particularly like to thank the volunteer Town Marshals, without whom they could not process safe from traffic.
You can read the write up of the event as published in The Hampshire Chronicle here.
Read about our St George celebrations in 2024 here (the sun was shining on then, too!).