On Tuesday 2nd June, in brilliant evening sunshine, Biggleswade shoppers and passers by witnessed a slice of local history. It was the parade by the town’s Scout group to celebrate their centenary. “We’re 100 years old today,” said one wide-eyed Beaver Scout.

Led by the Sea Cadet’s band, 123 Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers paraded from the station to Market Square for the first part of their birthday ceremony. Group Scout leader Gary May said, “We are within walking distance of the site in Shortmead Street where 14 Baden-Powell Scouts said their promise exactly 100 years ago and started the Group. Today we pay tribute to their memory and look forward to the next 100 years.”

A young Beaver Scout, Megan Field aged 8, stepped forward to unveil a sundial inscribed with the special gold centenary badge. Her fellow Scouts gave three rousing cheers before moving off to their next venue in front of the parish church.

This was where the organisers crossed their fingers as 100 helium filled balloons were handed into the nervous care of the young people ready for a synchronized lift off. Just two escaped the clutches of their owners before the spectacular mass launch of the remaining 98 balloons. They are now on their way to unknown destinations pushed along by a stiff south westerly breeze that could take them to Southampton or even the French coast at Cherbourg. The balloon that travels furthest will win a prize for the finder and the owner.

As with any good birthday party, the Scouts were treated to a large cake and refreshments followed by impromptu games of leap fog, a cartwheel contest and tag.

Megan Field and brothers Ben and Daniel May took time off for a TV interview where they explained, “We like Scouts because its great fun and we get to do things not allowed at home or at school like making fires and camping in the dark woods.”

On sale near the church were copies of the commemorative 3-volume history of the Group from its early beginnings right up to the present day. The organisers presented a copy to the Biggleswade and Sandy Lions Club as a thank you for their generous donation. Parents who bought copies suddenly realised that their children were featured in the pages not once but several times. As Group Scout Leader Gary May remarked, “This has been a 100 year voyage of discovery for all of us. And it still continues.”

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