Scouts and Guides St George's Day parade in Romsey

Around 800 people gathered outside Romsey Abbey before Bramshaw Scouts led the procession out.

With music from the Romsey Old Cadets band, the parade made its way past the town hall and saluted the group of dignitaries in The Hundred. 

The group included Countess Mountbatten, Scout district commissioner David Shill, Guide division commissioner Rachel Halle, Romsey MP Caroline Nokes, Mayor of Test Valley Philip Lashbrook and Mayor of Romsey John Ray. 

Claire Sutton, chair of Romsey District Scouts, told the Advertiser it was unusual for Scouts and Guides to parade together. She said: “We're unusual on two counts. We are unusual in that we invite the Guides to join us. It's not usually a Guide thing, St George is the patron saint of Scouting. Baden-Powell chose him as our patron saint. The Guides don't have a patron saint, so we said come and join us. 

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“There aren't many Guide divisions that do that. Also, it's increasingly a rare activity for quite a lot of areas where they say they can't get the turnout so they don't do anything for St George's Day any more. Long may it last, we're reasonably unusual for still holding it, it's a bit of a tradition.

“It's one of the few activities where we get all the sections together at the same time. During the service at the abbey, we all renew our promise which is a nice thing to do. 

“The lead group this year is Bramshaw Scouts. Thanks to the town marshals who turn out voluntarily to help with the rolling road closures. We have a collection this year and the one chosen this year is Maggie's Cancer support.”

After the parade, the Scouts and Guides went inside Romsey Abbey for a service.