Scouting in Guildford: WWF Visit, A Good Friday Breakfast Tradition and a St George’s Day Parade

Published on: 26 May, 2023
Updated on: 26 May, 2023

A regular column on news and events for Scouts in Guildford.

With around 1,300 members in Guildford, scouting is as popular as ever and gives six- to 25-year-olds fun and challenging activities, unique experiences, everyday adventure and the chance to help others and make a positive impact in communities.

By Neil Wibberley

World Wildlife Fund visit – 5th Guildford Lions visited World Wildlife Fund (WWF) based in Woking in March and were privileged to be the first youth group to be allowed back to the organisation since before Covid.

5th Guildford Cubs at the WWF in Woking having fun creating their cartoon artwork for a huge display on Earth Day.

While they were there, they created some cartoon artwork which was to be part of the Wild Escape. Their artwork will be part of one huge-scale immersive display which was unveiled on Earth Day (April 22).

Good Friday Breakfast – Good Friday saw the 108th Good Friday breakfast which is a tradition held by St Nicolas 9th Guildford Scout Group.

The tradition, which is held every Good Friday started in 1915, when the Scouts from the group who had been working in the First World War as motorcycle couriers, drove from their HQ in Guildford to the Hurtwood Inn in Peaslake.

Explorers, Cubs, Beavers and Scouts from St Nicolas 9th Guildford took part and flew the flags at the 108th anniversary of the Good Friday Breakfsat on Pitch Hill at Peaslake.

Over the years, motorbikes turned to cycles and then on to feet and now members of the group now meet in Peaslake and walk-up Pitch Hill for a short ceremony at the top.

Three former Scouts from 9th Guildford (including the district chairman Andrew Kemp) again attended and said they were proud to be part of this long-standing tradition.

St George’s Day Event (April 23) – For the first time, Guildford West district paraded in Guildford town centre from Phoenix Court to the Castle Grounds.

The parade was reviewed by the then Mayor of Guildford, Dennis Booth, the county representative Paul Iverson, the district chairman Andy Kemp and district commissioner Quentin Vaughan, before assembling in the Castle Grounds.

Guildford West district paraded from Phoenix Court up to the Castle Grounds on the St George’s Day parade on April 23.

After waiting for the government alarm, which as we know now some went off early and some went off late, Josh Goodwin gave an introduction to the event and talked about duty to the king, as only two people in uniform there had made their initial promise.

This year we had the relevant section’s young people (Beaver, Cub, Scout, Explorer Scout) read the law and promise to the district, followed by the National Anthem.

After the event, leaders and group executive members were invited to the Guildhall for a social event, where they were able to view the silver casket and scroll that had been presented to Lord Baden Powell in 1903.

If you are interested in volunteering, contact us at media@guildfordwestscouts.org.uk. We would love to welcome you with full training and lots of interest and fun.