SCOUTS, Cubs and Beavers paraded on a disused runway to celebrate St George’s Day.

The groups, from Banbury and Bicester, marched at Heyford Park, Upper Heyford, for the first time yesterday, carrying flags and banging drums in a “festival of Scouting”.

St George is the patron saint of Scouting and Robert Scott, campfire warden at Horley Scout Camp Site, near Banbury, said it was an “important day”.

The 65-year-old father-of-two is a former Scout and has been involved in Scouting as an adult for 34 years.

He said: “When Scouts join up we make a promise, and on St George’s Day we come together to renew that promise. It is also an opportunity to celebrate England and be proud of our country.”

Oxford Mail:

Campfire warden Robert Scott salutes.

After the parade, hot drinks and cakes were sold to fundraise for an Oxfordshire contingent to be sent to the 23rd World Scout Jamboree, which will be held in 2015 in Japan. Activities also included flag signalling.

The parade was one of a number taking place around Oxfordshire.

In Oxford, hundreds of Scouts paraded through the city, from Oxford Castle to Broad Street.