NEVER before in Mid Devon and only five times in Devon, so far as is known, has the highest accolade in Scouting ever been awarded.

On a damp Sunday afternoon in Okehampton (April 28), Crediton’s George Davey became the very first person in Mid Devon to receive the Silver Wolf, the very top award made by the Scout Association "for services of the most exceptional character”.

It is an unrestricted gift of the Chief Scout and was presented by Mid Devon Scout District Commissioner Trevor Waycott at the Mid Devon Scouts’ St George’s Day Parade.

Trevor said George was "the most inspirational person I have ever worked with" and, so far as he knew, no-one in Mid Devon had received a Silver Wolf and only five had been given in the whole of Devon in the 100 years-plus of the Scout history.

Probably nearly everyone had tears in their eyes as George stepped up to receive the tiny model of a Silver Wolf on its ribbon, applause was loud and long, and cheers.

Karen Morris, Assistant District Commissioner for Cubs, read the poem she had written about George’s exploits over more than 50 years of Scouting.

This included that becoming a Scout Master at Crediton in 1963, from 1993 being Assistant District Commissioner Scouts and among the awards he has received was the BEM from the Queen.

1st Crediton Scout Group were the hosts. All the different Groups in the District gathered in the fine rain outside Okehampton College to parade around Simmons Park, led by Okehampton Band and then Crediton with the big green dragon they had made specially for this St George’s Day Parade. The Salute in the Bandstand was taken by Cllr Peter Heal, chairman, Mid Devon District Council with his wife Rita, Cllr Frank Letch, Mayor of Crediton with friend Perpetua Middleton, Trevor Waycott, Mid Devon Scout Commissioner and Philip Morris, District Explorer Scout Commissioner.

Opening the afternoon, Trevor Waycott welcomed the guests who included Paul Charlton, Assistant County Commissioner and Brother Paul Selwood of Chulmleigh. Scout District Chaplain who explained how St George had become the Patron Saint of England after others, including St Boniface.

Crediton’s presentation, given by Leader Darren Tate who is also Estate Manager at Downes, said the Group was "110 years and still going strong".

He gave a brief history of Downes, the home of the Buller family for 200 years and explored how Gen Sir Redvers Buller and Baden-Powell had served in Natal in the Boer War, Baden-Powell then showing the beginnings of what was to become the Scouts.

Promises were renewed for the Beavers, Cubs and Scouts and the Roll of Honour shown of boys and girls who had gained awards through the year.

Chief Scout Gold awards had been achieved by: James North (South Zeal), Lily Pengelly-Jones (Bow), Katie Hawkey and Mikey Luke (Dolton and Winkleigh), Megan Roberts (North Tawton), Lenny Cooper, Daniel Hope, Florence Higgins, Grace Stanton (Sandford).

Chief Scout silver awards were achieved by boys and girls in Crediton, Lapford, South Zeal, North Tawton, Bow, Dolton and Winkleigh, Tedburn and Cheriton and Okehampton Groups.

Chief Scout Bronze awards were achieved by Scouts in Crediton, Tedburn and Cheriton, Bow, South Zeal, Okehampton and North Tawton Groups.

Winners of the St George’s Day shield for the best overall Group were North Tawton.

Leaders awards for long service were presented and George then presented Wood Beads to Wayne Vincent and Helen Olsson.

Not everyone was there to receive their awards, a number were training for the Ten Tors the following weekend.

Long service awards went to: 25 years - Brian Durrant. 10 years - Mark Sluman, Heather Johns, Ollie Milverton and Nichola McCulloch.

Five years - Marion Denley, John Elliott, Joel Harrison, Alex Christian, Kara Pincombe, Martin Hall and Nils Westman.

Crediton’s charity this year is Balloons which provides pre and post bereavement support for children and young people in Devon. Crediton also supplied and served the refreshments after the Parade.