Coronation countdown

Scouts have a proud history of marking royal occasions. After the coronation of George V in 1911, an astonishing 30,000 gathered to celebrate at Windsor Great Park.

At the coronation of George VI in 1937, 7,000 Scouts sold 170,000 programmes. They were sold out by half past seven on the morning of the big day!

That total was exceeded by the 700,000 programmes sold by Scouts at the Coronation of HM Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.

Only last year, Scouts lit over 100 beacons to mark Her Late Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, while 160 young Scouts volunteers supported the queue at the lying in state, showing their service to others. 

Showing our pride

Now, with the Coronation of HM King Charles III taking place on Saturday 6 May, Scouts will once be seen in their communities, serving the public and honouring The King.

While some will be in London, supporting the Coronation itself, many more will be celebrating locally. Across the UK, Scouts are staging and joining events to bring people together.   

1^st Houghton in Northamptonshire, for example, will be cooking breakfast at a family fun day on Monday 8 May. They'll also be running taster activities to attract new young people and volunteers. This is exactly the kind of thing Scouts can do to take part in The Big Help Out – a day to inspire the next generation of volunteers.

Meanwhile, 15th St Helens (St Andrews) will be running their own family fun day and BBQ, inviting all parents and carers in the group, alongside siblings, local councillors and others.  

155th Derby (Etwell) will be relying on an old Scout favourite. They'll be running a make your own s’more station at their local village event (consisting of chocolate biscuit and melted marshmallow sandwiches, of course!) They'll also be demonstrating other skills for life and sharing their volunteer opportunities – another perfect way to be part of The Big Help Out.

Many Scouts, such as 161st Derby (Hilton), are opting to run a community picnic and, just as importantly, helping with the clear up afterwards.

Don’t forget to download the app from The Big Help Out website to log your event and volunteering opportunity. 6th Farnborough Scouts have already decided to take part.

A green coronation

The King is well known for his love of nature and support for the environment. Many Scout Groups are therefore taking the opportunity to do things to promote sustainability.

Beavers from 2nd Atherton Scouts in Manchester will be decorating envelopes filled with seeds and handing these out to members of the community to plant. Along the same lines, 1st Calverton Beavers will be planting new flowers and bulbs in their local area. 

Part of The Big Help Out and The Big Lunch

Debbie from Market Harborough Scouts in Leicestershire will be combining The Big Lunch (on Sunday 7 May) with The Big Help Out.

Residents will be invited to bring their own picnic to the park, where Scouts will be hosting a celebration with a bouncy castle and party music. 1st Foxton Scout Group are planning to run a Dog Show at the event and make insect hotels.

‘We know people flock to picnics in the park,’ says Debbie, ‘so combining them means we’ll have an audience of all ages.’ 

Improving communities

Plenty of Scouts, including those from Seaham District, 1st Liskeard in Cornwall and 1st Sunbury in Surrey, will be showing their pride in their communities by litter-picking over the Coronation weekend.

Scouts from 1st Sunbury are also joining with their local community in Orchard Meadow to enjoy a picnic to celebrate the Coronation, while talking about the benefits of volunteering. This'll finish with an illuminated sail past of decorated boats on the Thames.

Some groups are making the most of the occasion to inspire new volunteers and improve their facilities. Scouts from 1st Cringleford in Norfolk are organising a ‘barn raising’. They'll be asking the community to help them build an outdoor shelter at their Headquarters.

In the spirit of The Big Help Out, they’ll also be putting on some pop-up Scouts activities for member of the public, helping hands and potential volunteers to have a go.

Play your part

Whether you’re planning a party, picnic or pop-up activity in your village, town or city, make sure you make the most of the Coronation weekend to celebrate, be seen and serve your community.

Once you've got your plan for Monday 8 May, register your event on The Big Help Out website as an event organiser so that potential volunteers can find out all about it. 

A big thank you to everyone planning something for this very special weekend.