Ely District Scouts celebrated upcoming St George’s Day in style on Saturday with a celebration in Ely Cathedral.

Ely Standard:

Festivities began with groups from across the district parading up Cherry Hill and around the cathedral perimeter.

They followed a procession led by a specially-made dragon and with members bearing flags to represent groups including Ely, Witchford, Haddenham, Sutton, Littleport and Stretham.

Once the flags had been mounted in the cathedral entrance, each group presented their own version of the St George’s Day story in the form of song, dance, and theatre, to a large crowd of Scouting members, parents, and the general public.

2nd Ely Cubs leader, Rachel Clover, said: “What fun it was celebrating St George’s Day. I know the young people and adults will talk about this for ages, it was brilliant.”

The evening was interspersed with recognition for outstanding service in the district. One of Scouting’s most prestigious awards, a silver acorn, was awarded to Conan Fryer for more than 20 years of consistent, dedicated service; and Explorer Scout Alana Ricci received a DC’s scarf for going above and beyond what is expected of a young person in the movement.

District commissioner Chris Beale presented several other awards during the evening, including awards to Explorers Jenny Thompson, Edward Lewis, Alex Smith, Hartly Green and Abi Wells for helping to plan the event.

Cub Henry Carruth was awarded a further DC award for being brave and calm in a crisis. Leaders Matt Newns, Andrew Carruth, Simon Paine, and Sarah Paine, were awarded their wood beads for completing their leadership training, and Jenny Hughes was newly invested into the district team.