Finchley troupe invited to watch the Trooping of the Colour

Some scouts didn’t need to rub sticks together, learn knots or even be prepared, to attend the Trooping of the Colour.

The 20th Finchley Scout Group were very privileged to be asked to attend the ceremony in celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

A group of 25 members and leaders arrived early to a very quiet and empty Mall and were given a police escort to Horse Guards Parade – where they watched the historic equestrian and marching displays.

The children and leaders were delighted that all the carriages and soldiers came right past where they were standing.

To keep the children occupied whilst they waited for everything to start, leaders organised exciting Jubilee activity packs.  The group loved watching the Trooping and spotting Royalty that went past them in the grand carriages and of course all the soldiers and horses taking part.

As the Trooping of the Colour went into the Mall, the group with leaders walked down the Mall ​led by the police officers.

The children revelled in the once-in-a-lifetime experience – one child even persuaded his father to come back from their half-term holiday to attend and then returned to their holiday afterwards.

​The children and leaders ended up standing right by the gates to Buckingham Palace – and had a clear view of the Queen when she came onto the Balcony.

Group Scout Leader Debra Morris said: “It was amazing day: the sun was shining, people were cheering and it was a very enjoyable and happy atmosphere. Our 20th Finchley scout group were very privileged to be a part of the 400 or so youth contingent – it was definitely worth getting up ​very early for!

“The group were positioned by the entrance to Buckingham Palace – and saw the Queen come out onto the balcony and the fly past. It was all spectacular! A cub was also privileged to receive a special badge from a Royal Constabulary Policeman making her day even more special.”

Later in the day, the group joined the Barnet Borough Scout District Jubilee Garden party – a celebration for beavers, cubs and scouts members and their families, that included baking and eating scones, a coconut shy, tight rope challenge, colouring stations a raffle, a town crier competition and lighting of a beacon.

The day ended on a high with two members of the 20th Finchley group winning in the Town Crier competition –  two children winning the contest ​and another taking the award for Most Original Speech, after reciting a Jubilee inspired poem he wrote that afternoon.