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So WHO is this St George bloke anyway?

Saint George (c. 275-281–April 23, 303) was a soldier of the Roman Empire, from Anatolia, now modern day Turkey, who was venerated as a Christian martyr. Saint George is the most venerated saint in the Eastern Orthodox Church and Oriental Orthodox Churches. Immortalised in the tale of George and the Dragon, he is the patron saint of Canada, Catalonia, England, Ethiopia, Georgia, Greece, Montenegro, Serbia, the cities of Istanbul, Ljubljana and Moscow, as well as a wide range of professions, organisations and disease sufferers.

The cult of St George probably first reached England when the crusaders returned from the Holy Land in the 12th century. King Edward III of England (reigned 1327 – 1377) was known for promoting the codes of knighthood and in 1348 founded the Order of the Garter. During his reign, George came to be recognised as the patron saint of England; prior to this, Saint Edmund had been considered the patron saint of England.

St George is the patron saint of Scouting. On St George's day (or the closest Sunday), Scouts from around the world generally take part in a parade and some kind of service in which they renew their Scout Promise. The St. George Award is the highest rank attainable by a Scout.

The BIG event in April was the District St Georges Day parade from Richmond Green to Marble Hill Park.

Third Whitton led the parade, behind the District flags and the Horse Rangers Association band. We were drawn in first place because of the effort we made in completing the RUT Run (see page 14). All those who completed the run were entered into a draft to determine who would lead the parade - and we won!

The parade formed on a bright and sunny morning on The Green and we started off a little late at about 5 past 11. After the band and the flags, the procession was led by the deputy lord lieutenant for London, the Mayor for Richmond upon Thames and the MP for Richmond Park, Susan Cramer, accompanied by Steve Miles, the District Commissioner. We then followed-on straight after the dignitaries!

Following arrival at Marble Hill, we were organised into ranks of Beavers, Cubs and Scouts for official photos in front of Marble Hill House (and we supplied the official photographer!). We then trooped to the main tent for a Scouts-own entertainment, including presentations and we concluded with sausages in buns, cake and drinks (again, 3rd Whitton helped supply the catering!).