North West District Centenary Parade
- Details
- Category: Group
- Last Updated on Sunday, 18 December 2011 18:04
- Written by Administrator
On Sunday 20th November, Groups from thoroughout the NW District of Cheshire gathered in Runcorn to celebrate 100 years of scouting in the district. Our district was originally founded in 1911 as Delamere Forest District and changed its name to North West Cheshire District in 1922.
Beavers, cubs, scouts and Leaders gathered at 2pm on Mersey Road before parading along High Street to All Saints Church where the Rev Canon John Hayes led the celebration service.
Although it was a cold and damp day, the route was lined with relatives, local residents, shop staff and shoppers and the parade received a warm applause on the last section to the Church.
Our thanks and appreciation to the beavers, cubs and scouts who turned out to represent our Group, particularly in this unique event as it is the last time that we will parade with the other Groups in the District as North West District. On the 1st January 2012, North West District merges with Widnes to form the new Mersey Vale District.
As part of the celebration service a recording of Baden-Powell's last message, made when he was 80, was played. John Frodsham (previous DC) and April Richardson looked back over some the district's 100 years of scouting before John Duley (the new District Commissioner) made a number of presentations of Awards and certificates, including a 5 year service award to Trevor Burgess our Scout Troop Leader.
After the service, everyone braved the cold to have what is surely to be the last photograph of North West District Groups. We also sang happy birhtday to Rev John as it was his birthday today.
Many thanks again to everyone from the Group who turned out, especially since it was only a week since the Remembrance Day parade and thanks to the parents for their support.
If any parents/relatives have photographs from the day, then it would be great if they would provide electronic copies to either Matthew Barnard or Colin Chambers so that we could add them to the members section of the Group photogallery and Group history.
