ADULT volunteers will be having their commitment to the Scout Association honoured with special awards this St George’s Day.

The Silver Acorn award, originally known as the Silver Medal, was instituted as a St George’s Day award in 1933 and remains one of the highest honours afforded to members of the Scouting movement.

This year nine of the 13 recipients in the Hereford and Worcester area are from the Malvern district, with Pete Ashcroft, Derek Barnes, June Etheridge, Paul Etheridge, Les Lane, Pauline Richardson, Doc Scholefield, Geraldine Shaw and Sandra Starkey all set to be honoured.

Most will be collecting their awards at the district presentation evening on Wednesday, May 30, but Mr Barnes, who is now the county commissioner, was presented with his by UK Chief Commissioner Wayne Bulpitt during a recent visit to the county.

The efforts of another long-serving local volunteer were also recognised recently when Richard Beckett, former Malvern district chairman, was presented with the Award for Merit in recognition of his “outstanding service” to the organisation.

Several of the Silver Acorn recipients will be travelling to Windsor Castle on Sunday, April 29, for the annual Scout Association St George’s Day parade, which will be attended by the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and chief Scout Bear Gryls.