THOUSANDS of people marched in the annual St George’s Day parades in Kidderminster, Bewdley and Stourport.

More than 1,500 participants marched to and from New Road in Kidderminster’s parade on Sunday, accompanied by the Kings Norton Marching Band and the Halesowen Scout Band.

The event also celebrated 100 years of the Guides movement and a joint service for Scouts and Guides took place in the Glades Leisure Centre, conducted by Canon Owain Bell, of St Mary and All Saints Church.

Joan Nutland, member of the Kidderminster Scout Fellowship, said: “It went very well. I think everyone enjoyed it and the sunshine made a lot of difference. A lot of people came out to watch.

“It was a jolly atmosphere. It was very good. When you get a sunny day like that it makes everyone feel better.”

Before completing the parade, youngsters filed passed the town hall where their salute was taken by Scout and Guide officials and the Mayor of Kidderminster, Councillor Howard Martin.

Tom Pearsall, district commissioner for Severn and Teme District, said about 100 youngsters turned out for the Bewdley parade and about 250 for Stourport’s.

The Bewdley parade, accompanied by the Scout and Guide band, marched across the bridge and up Load Street to a service at St Anne’s Church, where the Guides took part in a special arrangement to celebrate the centenary year.

Bewdley Mayor, Derek Killingworth and members of the town council also attended and the salute was taken outside the town hall.

The Stourport Scout and Guide Band led Stourport’s parade from the War Memorial Park to the Civic Centre, where there was also a special presentation for the centenary.

Mr Pearsall said: “We were well received in Stourport and Bewdley. There were a lot of people in Bewdley. You could see from everyone’s faces that they were pleased to see the young people marching across their town.

“There were also quite a lot of people in Stourport. I felt very pleased that we were well received by the public.

“It was nice to see that people are still supporting Scouts and Guides.”

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