TWO new groups of young people were welcomed at this year’s Mid Devon Scouts St George’s Day Parade at Okehampton. 

Holsworthy became a member of the Mid Devon Scout family this year so their first outing with Mid Devon, and for North Tawton Squirrels, the youngest tier in Scouting, for both it was their first-ever St George’s Day activities. 

The Silver Wolf, the highest possible award in Scouting, only awarded for exceptional services to Scouting, was presented to Philip Morris from Dunsford.  

He has been a Leader for 48 years and a Scout for 55.  Philip is currently Mid Devon Scouts Assistant District Commissioner.

The last time this was awarded in the District was to George Davey whose daughter, Helen Derbyshire, presented it in George’s place as he was not able to be present. 

Young Leader belts were presented by Ollie Milverton, Young Leaders Trainer, to Lily Pengelly-Jones, Isaac Olsson and Ned Osborne.  

The list of the six Explorers who had achieved the Chief Scout Platinum award - Sophie Cooper, Ned Osborne, Alice Smith, Isaac Olsson, Joe Stanbury and Ben Durrant - was shown on the big screen as well as the names of the 15 Scout boys and girls who achieved the Chief Scout Gold awards from Crediton, Bow, Tedburn and Cheriton and Okehampton, the 22 Cubs achieving Silver awards from Crediton, Tedburn and Cheriton, Bow and Okehampton, and 22  Bronze award Beaver winners from Crediton, Tedburn and Cheriton, Okehampton and North Tawton.

For the second year running 1st Crediton Group won the shield for the Best Turned Out on the day, received by Agnes, Jamie and Frank from Helen Derbyshire, Mid Devon District Commissioner.  

After the parade around Simmonds Park to Okehampton College sports hall, the salute was taken by Helen, with Philip Morris, Jenny Frangleton, District Explorer Scout Commissioner, and Debbie Richards, District Secretary. 

In the hall Helen welcomed everyone, then followed a presentation of the story of St George and the Dragon by 1st North Tawton before the awards. 

Debbie presented a bouquet of flowers to Helen as thanks for her work.

After the closing ceremony, refreshments were served outside by a small group of the Mid Devon people going to the World Scout Jamboree in South Korea.

They leave at the end of July.  Devon is sending two teams that includes eight young people from Mid Devon with Linda Atouguia, District Unit Leader.  Each person had 18 months to raise the £4,300 each needs for the trip.  

This was also the first major outing for the District team wearing their new scarves made up of all the colours from each Group in the district.