SCOUTS step out at this time of year in their best uniforms to celebrate England’s patron saint.

St George’s Day parades have become a familiar sight in Oxford and many other towns and cities over the years.

This picture was taken in St Giles as Scouts from the city and county, with their flags flying, made their way through the streets to St Aldate’s Church in 1962.

There they would join 600-700 other Scouts and members of the public at a St George’s Day service.

The Rector of St Aldate’s, the Rev O K de Berry, conducted the service and the Rev Eric Sharpe assisted him.

The Scout Law was read by a member of the 14th Oxford troop and the lesson was read by a member of the 8th Oxford, although we don’t know their names.

A service for Roman Catholic Scouts was held at the same time at Campion Hall and afterwards Scouts from the two services combined for the march past. The salute was taken by the mayor of Oxford, Alderman Lionel Harrison.

A St George’s Day parade and commemoration involving 150 Scouts and Wolf Cubs and 50 Girl Guides had also taken place at Woodstock.

The units marched from the group headquarters to St Mary Magdalene Church, where the service was conducted by the Rector, the Rev M Woods. At the march-past afterwards, the salute was taken by the Duke of Marlborough.

It had been a busy month for Scouts, with lots of activities in the run-up to Easter. Large groups had attended a youth camp at Youlbury, while others had been engaged in the annual Bob-a-Job fundraiser, in which Scouts offered to do jobs for a shilling – or more if the customer was willing to pay.

Two Scouts, Leonard Chapman, 15, of the 15th Oxford, and David Mason, 11, of the 22nd Oxford, cleaned the civic mace in the mayor’s Parlour at Oxford Town Hall as their good deed in exchange for a donation. A large number of Scouts had also taken part in the Gang Show at the Oxford Playhouse.

Oxford Mail critic Towyn Mason wrote: “Spectacle is the great strength of this production. The sets and costumes are excellent by any standard, lighting is imaginative, and some items, such as a clever display of tap-dancing, come over well.”

But he added: “Much of the time, this show is weighed down by dull, unfunny dialogue that would strain the skill of a paid comedian. There are also some unfunny attempts at female impersonation and some rather half-hearted ballet. But everyone seems to enjoy every minute they take part.”