The Lord Mayor, the Sheriff, past members, current members and friends from Germany, all gathered together in Norwich to celebrate the anniversary of one of the oldest scout groups in the world.

The thanksgiving service took place at St Johns & All Saints Church, Old Lakenham on January 15 – the date in 1908 when two Norwich School boys, Edward "Skipper" Coe and Lawrence Glover met up and decided to become scouts called the Lion Patrol.

Norwich Evening News: Four Explorer Scouts who will be part of the Norfolk contingent attending the World Scout Jamboree in South Korea later this year. Alex Hill, Imogen Jordison, Jacob Hill, Jack Kelf. Each scout has raised £3,895 to attend the jamboreeFour Explorer Scouts who will be part of the Norfolk contingent attending the World Scout Jamboree in South Korea later this year. Alex Hill, Imogen Jordison, Jacob Hill, Jack Kelf. Each scout has raised £3,895 to attend the jamboree (Image: Alan Adcock)

This was the foundation of the wonderful 1st Norwich Sea Scout Group, whose motto is IT CAN BE DONE. It most certainly can.

The 115th anniversary was combined with the 10th year in the new headquarters. The third to be built on the same site. They raised £470,000 to complete it and it opened in 2013.

Vice President Jane Stafford said the service, conducted by the Rev Paul Rider, was attended by special guests which included the Lord Mayor of Norwich, Dr Kevin Maquire with consort Julie Keane and the Sheriff of Norwich, Caroline Jarrold and consort Nicholas Dixie.

Norwich Evening News: Norwich Lord Mayor Dr Kevin Maguire and Peter Bower cutting the cakeNorwich Lord Mayor Dr Kevin Maguire and Peter Bower cutting the cake (Image: Alan Adcock)

"We were also particularly pleased to have Peter Bower attend, the great nephew of the group’s first Group Scout Leader Captain Charles Bower, who was killed in action during the First World War," said Jane.

"Three of our friends from the German Scout Group in Hohenlimburg made the journey to be with us. Martin and Hiltrud Seinhofer-Harand and their son Lukas," she added.

And the day will be especially remembered by scout Clara Jordison, who was invested into the group during the service by present Group Scout Leader, Julian Greenfield.

Norwich Evening News: Celebration cake held by Explorer Scout Jack Kelf. With Beaver Scouts, Seth Barber & Henry Green, Scout Dylan Penny and Cub Scout Matilda Pitcher-CookeCelebration cake held by Explorer Scout Jack Kelf. With Beaver Scouts, Seth Barber & Henry Green, Scout Dylan Penny and Cub Scout Matilda Pitcher-Cooke (Image: Alan Adcock)

The reading, overseen by Charles Bartram, Assistant Group Scout Leader, and read by members of the group, gave a brief history of the company which is an extraordinary story of their life and times over more than a century.

Former explorer scout, Rachel Brooks, made the celebration cake and a collection during the service raised £250 which will be donated to the charity, Norfolk Young Carers.

We would also like to thank the 1st Norwich Sea Scout Group for all they have achieved, and still are, making  a difference to generations of young lives over 115 years.