Keighley’s Scout movement turned out in force this afternoon for its annual St George’s Day parade and service.

Several hundred youngsters and leaders made their way through the town, led by the City of Bradford Pipe Band.

All sections – Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorer Scouts and the Scout Network – were represented at the event.

They packed into St Anne’s Church, in North Street, for the service.

Guests included Deputy Lieutenant of West Yorkshire David Pearson, Lord Mayor of Bradford Coun Khadim Hussain and town mayor Coun Sally Walker.

And also among those present were Scouts county commissioner Mark Stageman and Keighley division Guides commissioner Kay Bolton, with fellow Guiders.

Welcomes were given by Scouts district chairman Ken MacKenzie and Canon Michael McCreadie, parish priest of St Anne’s.

Canon McCreadie told the congregation: “The parade is very special and you are all extremely welcome.”

The service included the blessing of standards for two new groups, 5th Keighley (East Morton) and 7th Keighley (Phoenix), and there was a presentation about famous people who had been involved in Scouting – ranging from Tony Blair and David Beckham to David Hockney and Sir Richard Branson.

A Beaver, Cub and Scout read their sections’ laws and district commissioner Jeanette Young led everyone in the renewal of their promises.

A collection was taken, for the haematology and oncology day unit at Airedale Hospital.

After the service the parade made its way back through the town, to the assembly and finishing point at Sainsbury’s supermarket, in Cavendish Street.

Coun Hussain said he was delighted that the district’s Scout movement was so strong.

In addition to the two new groups whose standards were blessed, another – 4th Keighley – has been launched, at the town’s Madinah mosque.

“It is great that Scouting is growing and continuing to develop locally,” he told us.