Birthday procession for scout group
The 1st Hindley All Saints Scout Group has celebrated its 70th birthday in style.
The Mayor of Wigan John O'Brien joined nearly 200 past and present scouts, cubs, beavers, officials and four members of the original troop to mark the occasion.
A procession, accompanied by the Wigan Scout Band, left the scout hut on Banner Street and marched to All Saints Church on Chapel Fields Lane where a special service was held.
The group then headed back to the scout hut where hundreds of pictures, including one of the first group of scouts taken in 1937, and other pieces of memorabilia were on display.
Chairman of the scout group Howard Jones said: "It was an absolute success.
"Over the last few years about nine local groups have closed down so for us to keep open for 70 years is fantastic.
"I just hope we can make 75!
"The previous president, John McGee, spent months tracking former members down, it was so nice to see them all there.
"The mayor was very enthusiastic and said he really enjoyed himself, and there was lots of reminiscing and story telling, it was great time."
Past members of the group flew in from the Isle of Man and the oldest past scout there was 85 years old.
Many old friends were reunited, including two members of the original scout group who had lost touch and were not aware the other would be attending the celebrations.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Wigan
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 14 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 23 mph
Wind direction: East
