The Scout Association of Malta and the Malta Girl Guides Association, for the fifth time, yesterday teamed up again to hold their annual parades together. These events, formerly respectively known as St George’s Day and Joan of Arc Day, have long been the showpiece events of the respective associations.
The joint annual parade included the participation of around 3,000 scouts and guides. There were 40 scout groups and 30 guide companies, which included 11 scout bands. The parade marched according to the districts and, yesterday, it was the turn of the Central District to lead. The parade began with a Thanksgiving Holy Mass celebrated by Fr Anton Briffa OFM Cap and Fr Marcellino Micallef OFM, held at St Publius Parish Church. Afterwards, all participating scout groups and guide companies formed up on the Floriana Granaries and marched off, led by the 1st Hamrun Scout Group Band.
The scouts and guides marched through City Gate, down Republic Street round into Archbishop Street and up Merchants’ Street.
A number of scout flags with the colours of the respective locality were again be paraded. These flags continued to add colour and individuality to the respective groups, which also paraded with their mascots.
Air and Sea Scouts again made their presence felt. Their numbers are on the increase and it is now evident that they are now here to stay. The St Augustine Air Scout Group comes from the Central District while the Msida Sea Scout Group is part of the North District.
Some members of The Girl Guide Association marched with their new uniform, which will be gradually introduced across their members in the coming months. This year this association is hoping to host the Commonwealth Chief Commissioners’ Conference in June.
The Scout Association of Malta has this year decided to lower the entry age from seven years to five years and will in the coming months be taking various decisions to formally introduce these new members as Scouts.
Another innovation will be that the groups were introduced to the public as they approach Palace Square. In fact both associations had a representative who animated the parade and gave some information on each contingent over a PA system set up for the purpose.
The Central District comprises 13 scout groups and had a total of three bands, Hamrun, Rabat and Birkirkara. The Gozo District at the moment is made up of one group, the Victoria Scout Group. Not having a band this district was led by the St Venera band. The St Venera Scout Group actually forms part of the Central District. The North District comprises 14 scout groups three of which, Mosta, Naxxar and San Gwann, have a band. The South District comprises 11 scout groups and had five bands: Cospicua, Marsa, Zejtun, Fgura and Zurrieq.
The Scout Fellowship took part in the march past together with the Island Trefoil Guild.