4,500 scouts, guides to parade in Valletta

The Malta Scouts and Girl Guides are teaming up to hold their annual parades on May 6 when an estimated 4,500 scouts and guides will take part.

There will be 39 scout groups and 30 guide companies, which include 16 scout bands.

The parade will march in district order with the north district leading the south, central and Gozo districts respectively.

The event will begin with a Thanksgiving Mass at St Publius church, Floriana, celebrated by Fr Richard Borg, parish priest, assisted by Fr Anton Briffa, Commissioner for Religious Dimensions of the Scout Association of Malta.

At 10.15 a.m. all participating scout groups and guide companies will assemble at the Floriana Granaries in the prescribed order of marching and at 10.45 a.m. they will march towards Valletta.

The marching route will be through City Gate, down Republic Street round into Archbishop Street and up Merchants' Street. The parade will disperse at about noon in two locations and will be directed either to the car park in front of the Central Bank or to Freedom Square.