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7th July 2002

20 young Sikhs will join the Scout Movement on Monday 8th July, at the opening of Leicesters first all Sikh Scout Group. They will be called the 1st Kalgidhar Scouts and will meet at the East Park Road Gurdwara.

Opening festivities held at the Gurdwara to celebrate this pioneering Scout Group will be enjoyed by the new Scouts, Leaders, The High Bailiff Barbara Chambers, Councillor Manjula Sood, Councillor Piara Singh Clair, Reverend David Clark, Scout District Commissioner, Brian Golland and County Commissioner, Derek Catt.

The Sikh Scouts will be celebrating their first taste of the exhilarating fun and opportunities that Scouting provides. The opening will feature a local Scout band to welcome them to the Movement, as well as traditional Sikh celebrations.

Scout Association representatives who have assisted the leaders in the organisation of the new Group are thrilled with the results. The Associations Local Development Officer Kath Hopkinson said:

'It is hoped that the Group will act as a catalyst encouraging more ethnic communities to consider offering Scouting to their young people. There are 28 million Scouts throughout the world embracing all major religions and beliefs. The Movement has a large programme of work underway to develop Scouting amongst such communities.'

The new Scouts will wear the national uniform and a blue and gold scarf to represent the colour of their flag outside their Gurdwara.