A Day of Celebration and Achievements

The day dawned bright and sunny and, despite some cloud building, the weather didn’t spoil our day of celebration today. Our young people, with their leaders, assembled on the Haymarket and Gentleman’s Walk in the city centre this afternoon, before forming up to parade onto the Forum Plaza.

Following the exchange of the Colours – the 27th Norwich handing to 1st Spixworth, there followed an address by the Lord Mayor, the honourable Marion Maxwell. The party, which also included the Sheriff of Norwich and Consort, Richard and Maeve Marks and the Police Inspector for North Norwich, Nik Hewitt, then joined the Groups on the Plaza for an informal chat.

The parade then moved off to the Chapel Field Methodist Church for a lively and clearly enjoyed, service led by Rev. Catherine Hutton.
Following recognition in the annual St George’s Day awards, presentations were made during the service by DCC Neville Jarvis for the following awards to our adult members:

Silver Wolf

John Pain (District Chairman)

Bar to the Silver Acorn

Val Pain (District Appointments Secretary)

Silver Acorn

Keith Coles (Group Executive Committee Member, 44th Norwich)
Mike Gleeson (Group Scout Leader, 1st Horsford & St Faiths)
Jane Wolsey (Local Training Manager)

Special mentions were also given to fellow friends of the District who were unable to attend our event as they were enjoying the Windsor celebration.

It was a privilege to be presented with my own Wood Badge at such an occasion amongst friends and the young people of the District and the opportunity was taken to also present Wood Badges to Ross Gilbert (1st Drayton), Tristan Hardman (44th Norwich), Richard Neate (2nd Reepham) and Stephen Butler (1st Taverham).

This day however is as much about our young people as adult members and it gave us great pleasure to acknowledge the achievements of Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers in the Chief Scout Awards. A “Roll of Honour” was included in the Order of Service and those present today were invited to stand and receive a round of applause in recognition of their efforts in achieving these awards.

Renewal of promises followed led by the Section ADCs, with Joshua Martin a Beaver from 3rd & 4th Norwich telling us about Beavers, Megan Rolfe a Cub from the 18^th Norwich reading the Cub Scout Law, and Jennifer Cox-Kersley a Scout from the 27^th Norwich reading the Scout Law.

I’d like to sincerely thank all involved in making the arrangements for such a celebration in the city centre and service; great to see the young people enjoying themselves and proud of scouting in the District and, as always, with the support of a fantastic group of Leaders.

Lisa Wright
District Commissioner

For more photos, take a look at the photo gallery from the day.

23rd April 2017     Beavers, Cubs, Explorers, Network, News, Scouts, Young Leaders