What a shame that Bradford Scouts may no longer be able to celebrate St George’s Day with their annual parade, due to changes in policing procedures.

Hundreds of Scouts marched through the city centre on Sunday, but, with police no longer able to marshal the event for free, it may have been their last parade.

Scouts have held the parade to celebrate St George, their patron saint, for the best part of a century, but a change in national guidelines meant police weren’t responsible for traffic management this year. Sunday’s event was saved by the Scouts’ district commissioner for Bradford South Stewart Jessop, who persuaded volunteer Special Constables to oversee it on a one-off basis.

Scout leaders fear that, with no funds to pay private stewards, Sunday’s parade could well be their last. Other Scout groups in the region weren’t able to go ahead with their parades for the same reason.

Although there’s talk of replacing the parade with an alternative event, such as a fun day, it wouldn’t arouse the same feeling of pride as a collective march.

As a Brownie, then a Guide, I used to love the Guide and Scouting movement’s annual parades through Bradford city centre. Marching through the streets to a service at Eastbrook Hall, I enjoyed the feeling of unity and pride, and the primal, rhythmic thrill of marching to a loud band.

I’ve since been on protest marches – as a student I marched against apartheid, education cuts and the poll tax, among other things – and felt the rousing swell of pride that comes with a collective show of feeling.

While the police can always find the funds to police such large-scale protest marches, it’s a shame they can’t oversee a children’s parade lasting barely half an hour that has held significance for generations of Scouts.

My nephew was among the Cubs and Scouts taking part in Saltaire’s parade – which doesn’t require professional marshaling as it covers quieter roads – and proudly took his place with his pack, brandishing a recently-acquired batch of badges newly-stitched onto his uniform.

It would be a real shame if Beavers, Cubs and Scouts in Bradford were denied the opportunity to parade in future. Parents told the T&A how excited their children had been about Sunday’s march, and how some were following in the footsteps of grandparents.

“It’s heartbreaking,” said one mum, whose six-year-old son was taking part in his first parade.

Hopefully, with the support of parents, Bradford Council’s road closure team and Police Community Support Officers, the St George’s Day parade will continue to play a major role in the city centre calendar.