Miles Jermy ROCK and Roll was still its infancy when the Young Citizens Guild recruited its first members way back in 1957.And songs of an equally stirring sort raised the rafters of Hemsby parish church last week at a civic service to celebrate the guild's 50th anniversary year.

Miles Jermy

ROCK and Roll was still its infancy when the Young Citizens Guild recruited its first members way back in 1957.

And songs of an equally stirring sort raised the rafters of Hemsby parish church last week at a civic service to celebrate the guild's 50th anniversary year.

The band of Winterton Marine Cadets led a parade of dignitaries, including the borough's Mayor and Mayoress Paul and Lisa Garrod, through the village in honour of the charity founded by Harry Day. “There were more than 100 people at the service. It was a really big honour and a fantastic occasion,” said Mr Day.

“I started the group because I felt it was unfair that young people at the time were getting knocked so much and it is still happening today.

“The young are still just as public spirited as ever, they just need to be led in the right way.”

Based in Hemsby since 1972, the guild has helped the county's emergency services tackle a wide range of life threatening and difficult situations, from isolating poisonous canisters of cyanide to pulling stranded birds out of oil drenched waters.

About 100 young people aged eight to 18 attend holiday and weekend camps at the guild's headquarters, set up to help develop members into confident and community minded citizens by working closely with the police, fire service coastguard and armed forces.

One of the guild's successes is the handing out of wrist tags to children so that if they get lost so they can be identified and reunited with their parents. The tagging scheme has seen the number of reported lost children around Hemsby and Yarmouth's beaches fall by more than 60pc.

The guild was given the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service in 2004, when Mr Day also received his MBE.

Anyone wanting to help or to join can call 01493 732150 or log on to www.youngcitizensguild.com