The Scout and Guide Joint Annual Parade 2003
Written by MM News - 3 May 2003

The Scout Association of Malta and the Malta Girl Guides Association have for the third time, teaming up again to hold their annual parades together. The event, formerly known as St George’s Day and Joan of Arc Day, has long been the showpiece event of both respective Associations.

The Joint Annual Parade was held on Sunday the 11th May where an estimated 4000 Scouts and Guides participated from over 40 Scout Groups and 30 Guide Companies that included eleven Scout Bands.

The event began with a Thanksgiving Holy Mass celebrated by Fr Anton Briffa OFM Cap and Fr Marcellino Micallef OFM, held at St Publius Parish Church at 9.30 a.m. Forming up on Floriana Granaries, all participating Scout Groups and Guide Companies marched through City Gate, down Republic Street and proceeded to Castile place.

Of particular note at this year's Parade was the appearance of a number of Scout group colours together with those of the respective localities adding colour and individuality to the respective Groups, having been re-introduced after an absence of a number of years.

Air and Sea Scouts again made their presence felt, where three micro light aircraft piloted by members of the Scout Association flew past the saluting dais.

The Qrendi Scout Group had Chris and Doreen Carnell, British Scouts from the 2nd Warrington West (St James) Scout Group marching within their ranks. These British Scout leaders, currently guests of the local Group flew the Union Jack alongside the Maltese Flag and the Qrendi scout Group colours during the march past.

The Scout Fellowship once again took part in this year’s march past together with the Island Trefoil Guild. The Malta Girl Guides celebrating eighty Years of Guiding in Malta participated in weekend activities of the National Guide Weekend, incorporating an Exhibition in Bay Street, Anniversary Dinner and Guide Cinema Day. Special guests of the Malta Girl Guide was the WAGGGS World Board, Ms Mette Groenvold, Ms Diane Dixon from the WAGGGS European Committee and Ms Fabiola Canavesi from the European Mediterranean Network.

H.E. The President, Prof Guido De Marco, together with Mrs. Violet De Marco, patrons of the respective Associations, took the Salute in front of the Grandmaster’s Palace at St George’s Square, Valletta accompanied by the Chief Scout and the Girl Guides President

A number of distinguished guests that included the Minister for Youth and the Arts, the Hon Mr Jesmond Mugliett, Ministers, Members of Parliament, and members of the Diplomatic Corps attended the parade as guests of both associations.