AROUND a hundred scouts filled the Cotswold village of Sherborne as scout troops from all over the country came together for a St George's Day parade.
The British Boy and Girl Scouts (BBS), which separates itself from The Scout Association and takes pride in its traditional methods of scouting, drew a sight to the village that had not been seen since the 1950s.
The BBS troop, established in 1909 and which was once the largest scout group in the country, now has one troop in Gloucestershire based in Northleach, the First Sherborne and Northleach.
More than 30 scout troops of ages five to 18 arrived and settled into the village on the evening of Friday, April 22, putting up traditional canvas patrol tents and a flag pole with the union flag.
The parade took place on Sunday, April 24 as the group met at the social club before heading out at 10am with a bag piper and a drummer.
They marched towards the church with a colour party formed and troops' flags proudly displayed where they were greeted by Albert Collins, the high bailiff of Northleach, wearing his chains of office.
A service led by Revd Canon Ron Lloyd was held at the village hall as each troop renewed their promises and were reminded of the virtues of being a scout.
After hyms were sung and a photo was taken, the group paraded back to the social club were they enjoyed a hog roast prepared by the First Wessex scout troop.
(Northleach BBS scout troop leader Byron Hadley with young members of his troop)
Leader of the Northleach troop Byron Hadly, also known as Skip, said: "We drew a lot of attention with the uniforms, the camp and the parade and I am hoping that we were not a nuisance.
"The community by and large supported us and rallied together. Many people stopped and clapped and showed support, as we approached the church.
"All the scouts are looking forward to when they can return to camp at Sherborne.
"They have all asked me to pass on this message 'B.R.A.V.O', a traditional scouting form of saying thank you and usually shouted out by the scouts at the top of their lungs!"
He thanked Peter Summers and his family for allowing the troops to camp in their field, the village social club for their support, the National Trust for their donation of firewood, Revd Lloyd for taking the church service, and Sherborne Church and the Windrush Benefice for allowing troops to use the church.
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