Hundreds of scouts gather in Melton for annual St George's Day parade and service

The parade made its way from the Tuxford and Tebbutt car park in Thorpe End at 12.30pm to arrive for a 1pm service at St Mary’s Church.

Various awards were presented during the service. Waltham Dollywaggon Explorer Scout Joanna Foxall, who has just received her Queen’s Scout Award - the highest award in Scouting - was at the parade and was given her badges by County Commissioner Carol Black.

Joanna, who has also earned her Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award, received her Queen’s Scout Award certificate on Monday night at the County Commissioner’s awards night held at the Scout headquarters.

Waltham Dollywaggon Explorer Scout Leader Allison Green congratulated Joanna on her Queen’s Scout Award. She said: “It’s such a hard award to get and takes a tremendous amount of hard work and dedication to complete it.”

Among those to receive awards at Sunday’s church service was Andrew Thompson who was presented with a Medal of Merit. A set of wood beads were presented to Sharon Turner, for completing her leader’s training, and long-service awards were handed to Mark Wooton (25 years), Ralph O’Connor (10 years) and Julia Lambert (five years).

Following Sunday’s church service the parade reformed and headed towards Nottingham Street, with the salute being taken by Mayor of Melton Jeanne Douglas, District Scouts Commissioner Ian Cliffe and County Commissioner Carol Black.

The award for the best turned out troop went to the 1st Thorpe Satchville who led the parade for the first time.

Mr Cliffe said: “We had 350 on parade and everything went well.”