Letchworth and Baldock scouts marked their patron saint’s feast day on Sunday, with the life of St George dramatically brought to life in Broadway Gardens.
It was the 5th Letchworth Scouts’ turn this year to organise the Letchworth & Baldock district St George’s Day celebrations, which began with a parade across town starting in Howard Park Gardens.
Kids’ drama specialists Imajica Theatre Company then put on a short dramatisation of the saint’s story to entertain all ages while getting the message across.
It was decided to reduce the religious role in this year’s event, with no church service and a focus rather on the message behind St George’s faith – that of dedication to helping others, a core scouting theme.
Group Scout leader Gareth Howell told the Comet: “There is no longer any obligation to have a religious faith to join the movement, and there have always been Muslims, Jews and Quakers in scouting.
“Our view – and feedback from non-Christian scouts – was that we should adopt a more open approach, accepting of course that St George was a Christian saint.”
After the St George play, the hymn When A Knight Won His Spurs was sung before the renewal of promises.
Herts scouts chairman Michael Shurety addressed the group before district commissioner Tony Hartley presented long-service awards to adult leaders.
The proceedings ended with the singing of the national anthem, with refreshments afterwards in St Michael’s Church hall.
For more, see lbdscouts.org.uk and facebook.com/LBDScouts
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