Scouts celebrate founder’s birthday

Members of the Scout and Guide movements celebrated the birthday of their founder, Robert Baden-Powell, on February 25.

This celebration was particularly important as it marked the 100th anniversary of worldwide rovering, a branch of the Scout movement.

Also read: Harmelia Gardens Air Scouts visit the gliding club

The Chief Scout of South Africa, Dr Brendon Hausberger, this year attended the Northrand district’s celebrations, which were hosted by the 1st Bedfordview Scout Group.

The 1st Bedfordview Scout Group turns 90 this year and boasts the longest running rover crew in South Africa.

Bedfordview residents were awoken by the music of the SA Irish Pipes and Drums, who led a parade along Van Buuren Street to the Scout Hall.

Several hundred Scouts and Guides attended the celebrations, which culminated in a triathlon where participants completed a commando course, had a brief road race, and ended up with a swimming race at St Benedict’s.

Also read: First Edenvale Scouts spread Mandela Day cheer

Ewen McAlpine was awarded a Medal of Merit by the Chief Scout and 1st Edenvale Cubs, Harmelia Gardens Air Scout Troop and 1st Bedfordview Scout Group were named the best Cub Pack, Scout Troop and overall Scout group in the Northrand district for 2017.

The Northrand Scout district thanked St Benedict’s College for the use of their hall, the SA Irish Pipes and Drums for the music, Bedfordview Spar for sponsoring food and the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) for ensuring that the event ran safely.

The Northrand district comprises 10 Scout groups and three girl Guide companies in Bedfordview, Edenvale, Kensington and northern Germiston.

For more information about the Scouts in these areas, contact Jean James-Smith at jean@pjsfoods.co.za