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Processions

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Includes

  • Parades
  • Carnivals
 

Description

A procession is an informal event where flags and/or standards may be carried but participants do not march at a fixed pace or in step.

A parade is a formal event where participants march in step and may carry flags or standards.

 

Who can participate?

Processions are open to all.

Parades are open to those aged seven and over.

 

Ratio of adults to girls

Normal ratios for activities away from the meeting place are required.   Guiding Manual ratios

A high ratio of adults to children is recommended.

 

Regulations

  • The Leader must ensure that all participants under 18 have written permission to take part from an adult with parental responsibility.
  • The local Commissioner must be consulted at the planning stage and give approval for the activity to take place.
  • Carry out a risk assessment for the activity.If the procession or parade does not meet Girlguiding UK requirements the Commissioner’s approval cannot be given.
  • It may, however, be possible for Girlguiding UK members to assemble at the end of the route and join the event without taking part in the procession or parade.
 

Organiser’s responsibilities

Adults must be briefed and marshals and stewards must wear reflective, fluorescent or high-visibility clothing.

The organiser should:

  • consider the participants’ ages and abilities
  • consider the length of the proposed route: participants should only be expected to walk or march distances within their capability
  • follow the Highway Code
  • plan the route carefully, if possible avoiding main roads carrying heavy traffic
  • notify the police if the proposed route includes the public highway (including pavements)
  • brief all adult Leaders – ensure all involved receive detailed instructions about all aspects of the event, for example:
  • the date, starting time and duration of the event
  • the starting and finishing points and the proposed route
  • suitable clothing
  • contingency plans
  • assembly point(s)
  • first aid provision
  • ensure that on the day she (the organiser) can be easily identified by all marshals, stewards and adult leaders
  • ensure all participants are adequately clothed with regard to weather conditions
  • follow any police advice or instructions given before or during the day
  • if conditions are not suitable on the day (weather/safety etc), it should be cancelled making arrangements to inform parents/carers and the police, if they have been notified.
 

Police notification

If the proposed route includes a public highway (including pavements), the local police must be informed in writing at least seven, but preferably, 14 weeks in advance of the event.

The police should be informed of the:

  • date of the eventstarting time and duration of the event
  • starting and finishing points
  • proposed route
  • approximate number of participants and their ages
  • numbers of stewards, marshals and adults helping to supervise the event
  • organiser’s name, address and contact telephone number.

In addition the police should be notified if the event takes place regularly, e.g. each month or term.

 

Useful information

If invited to take part in a procession or parade organised by Girlguiding UK or other bodies, (for example on Remembrance Sunday or at local carnivals), before any plans are made or participants notified, the Leader or Commissioner should discuss the invitation with the organiser and determine:

  • the reason for the procession or parade
  • the amount of time standing waiting
  • the distance to be walked
  • the arrangements for inclement weather
  • how appropriate the occasion is for Rainbows and/or Brownies if participating.

With these details, the Leader (or Commissioner) should discuss the proposal with her Commissioner and consider with her the suitability of the event for Girlguiding UK members.

 

Carnival floats

When carnival floats are part of the procession, Girlguiding UK’s Public Liability policy includes passenger liability cover provided that the carnival float is:

  • a flat-bed lorry or a tractor-and-trailer based vehicle
  • in a carnival procession, members walk at a safe distance behind the floats and have adult supervision
  • Rainbows and Brownies transported on carnival floats are seated and an adult is on the vehicle with them.