Annual St George's Day Parade - Southport
Photographs by Patrick Trollope.

THE Southport District Scouts have held the Annual St George's Day Parade, on 23 April 2016 (St George's Day) under a blue sky. With flags flying high, they marched from Waterside Lodge, on Marine Drive, to Holy Trinity Church, on Manchester Road, with tunes being played by the Hesketh Bank Silver Band. The annual was helped by volunteers who aided the parade to safely navigate the route, as again, despite the importance of the event, Police have been unable to help with traffic control. District Commissioner for Southport District Scout, Chris Scott commented:- "We would like to thank all the motorists for helping us to carry out the parade and letting us safely pass. Without your support and the support of the volunteers, who helped to marshal the event, it would have been imposable to run it. We have had fantastic feedback from members of the public who came out to watch, as well as from the parents. Many of them had come out to watch and lined the roads along the parade route. This parade is not only a celebration of St George's Day, but also of the Scouting movement. Events like this help build up character and show our youth in a good light to the rest of the community. It's an important way of showing to the discipline and respect that our Beavers, Cubs and Scouts have for the movement, our country and the local area, in a non-political manner. Plus we hope it brigs added colour to the Town."

A tourist from Ireland stopped our editor and said:- "This is fantastic to see. Is it part of the Queens celebrations?" When we told them what it was they replied:- "Why don't they have it in the Tourism brochure? This is fantastic to watch and something we are pleased to have stumbled on." After the event a French couple on holiday, from Nantes, commented:- "It was good to see young people being patriotic and celebrate a civil day. It is colourful and we love the tune being played by the band. We thought it was the Queens Birthday!"

At the end of the parade, all those marching then headed into Holy Trinity Church for the annual service, which also this year celebrated the Queens Birthday. Inside music was preformed by the Marshside Brass Band and service lead by the Reverend, Canon, Doctor. Rod Garner. Another part of the service was set aside to recognise individuals who have contributed over the year to the Southport area as well as awards given to the district's Packs and Troops.

If you would like to know more about Southport's flourishing Scouting movement or if you want to help them, please go to:- SouthportDistrictScouts.Org.UK.

Fact File:- Did you know that the our patron saint, George was given the title:- "Great" around 1348. This was given by King Edward III when he formed the Order of the Garter? It's now is now England and the United Kingdom's highest order of chivalry and the 3rd most prestigious honour, only inferior to the Victoria Cross and George Cross!

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