Reunion Express 2017 - Issue 4

Reunion Express

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The only way to bring a camp to an end

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The 91st Reunion comes to a close Scout’s Own opened with lively music drifting across the Training Ground while everyone took their seats, hay bales and vantage points. The entertainment was supplied by two recent Moot attendees: Nina Sparks and Martin McIntosh.

The theme of Scouts’ Own this year reinforced what all members know – scouting is a force for good, a force for change and something we all play an important part in. It is with these values in mind that we prepare young people for the future. James Clarke and Leah Sier introduced Scouts’ Own explaining that scouting has never been so important in preparing young people for the future. Leah said we all “play a part in filling [the world] with people who value respect, integrity, belief, care and cooperation”.

Jagz led the reflection in reading a poem by Network member Simon Lamb. His poem – “A Scout is someone who” held the crowd spell bound as they considered the words and how it reflects their own experiences of Scouting.

Reflection continued with the gathered attendees being

invited to make a promise of how they would prepare better futures. These coloured tags of paper were hung up to allow everyone to share in the ideas from others.

In summary of how young people can be the change in the world, Vic Leon-Cutler, Deputy Unit Manager for FLAGS was invited to share her experiences. Vic spoke of how others have viewed her and her sexuality in Scouting and how it has not only affected her but her

outlook. “Eventually, I realised I could change things. I was determined that no young person in my group would ever feel like they couldn’t be themselves. We all want [scouting] to be the best that it can be”. From not attending any Pride events 10 years ago to attending 14 this year as well as the growth of the FLAGS Scout Active Support Unit, which supports adults and young people around the UK. Vic commended the other ways scouting has

progressed over the last few years in helping to remove stigmas around mental health and supporting the growth of sections in some of the most deprived areas. “There will always be areas in which we can improve, but together we can create a movement that future generations will love just as much as we do”.

Scouts’ Own ended with the traditional renewing of the Scout Promise culminating a wonderful 91st Gilwell Reunion.

A dozen new adventurers Everyone knows Scouting is about the adventure.

Well, twelve intrepid trainee adventurers proved this by not only presenting their Explorer Belt final report but also by being awarded their Belts, Badges and Certificates in front of the audience who had gathered to hear all about the Rover100 launch.

The two teams of six where made up of Network members from across the UK and only came togther in their

entirity as teams for their 10 day expeditions in Peru and Hungary. Highlights included eating local delicacies and for the Peruvian group reaching Machu Piccu.

The Explorer Belt is a challenging award designed to encourage Explorer Scouts and Network members to explore new places, cultures and experiences through a ten day expedition experience.

Congratulations to all twelve who collected their awards.

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Almost a century of High achievers family Scouting celebrating

Reunion is the perfect time to celebrate achievements of all varieties from long service awards to University Gradution.

Here are are couple of awards the Express was made aware of.

Congratulations if you are celebrating at Gilwell this year.

As a an adult in scouting there comes a time when you have to make a decision about training.

Having committed to training we all recognise the sense of achievment someone can get from completeing their modules and being awarded those long awaited wood beads - or Wood Badge as they are formally known.

For Dave Shaw this 91st Reunion will always be special. Just before Scouts’ Own opened his Dad, Robin Shaw

and several leadership team members of Dave’s group in Slough met at Baden Powell’s Bust for something Dave didnt expect.

Having recently been awarded his first wood badge his dad felt it was time to pass on the family wood beads passed down from Robin’s Father-in-Law, these beads are believed to be 86 years old having first been awarded to Arthur Simpson in 1931.

Congratulations Dave. Long may this tradition continue.

Jim Hunter from Potteries North District was awarded with the Bar to the Silver Acorn. Thank you Jim for your years of dedicated service to Scouting in your area.

Brendan Cahill of Oxfordshire had to leave Reunion on Saturday to attend his graduation. We are told he returned to celebrate in true Scouting style.

Congratulations!

Scouting off the land Scouting is all about adventure, and for over 1000 Sea Scout sections and over 300 Air Scout sections, this adventure has an aeronautical or maritime twist.

A workshop on Sunday morning explained that whilst the programmes for air, sea and (land) Scouts all follow the same structure, the differences can be small or large.

This could be learning how to read sea charts before ordnance survey maps for example, or, as it seems some Air Scouts have had the chance to do over the last year, pilot planes, hang-glide and

skydive!

The Sea and Air Scouts have partnerships with the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force, both of whom have recognition schemes for sections, and frequently provide training, maintenance, facilities and financial support to groups.

As well as this, many other local or regional organisations provide support, and if needed then Districts and Counties will be there to advise and support.

One of the key focuses is on getting more leaders trained and with permits, so that even more young people can

experience these adventures.

There is plenty to celebrate, too. With the 75th anniversary of air scouting this year being celebrated by the Scout Take Over Day at RAF Cosford, and the upcoming centenary

of the Royal Navy recognition scheme for Sea Scout units, it is a perfect chance to have a look at enhancing your programme with the addition of elements of air and sea adventure.

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Just one chapter in Gilwell’s history Gilwell Park’s existence can be traced back to the early 1400s when the area was a collection of different properties, used for both dwelling and farming. It is believed that at around this time the name Gilwell was penned, derived from the Old English ‘gill’ for glen and ‘wella’ for spring; the two farms were affectionately known as ‘Little’ and ‘Great’ Gilwell.

Around this time the first dwelling is recorded too: a Richard Osborne purchased the 14 acres adjoining the two farms in 1422. Here Osborne built what became known as ‘Osborne Hall’: a vast house, which remained on the property for over 300 years.

Historians believe that in the early 16th Century King Henry VIII purchased lands in the area and built a hunt lodge for his much-awaited son, Edward VI. Moving forward into the early 18th century the infamous Highwayman Dick Turpin operated out of the surrounding forest land of Gilwell, trapping and ambushing travellers and freight along the roads into the nearby capital. It was possible that in very early days of his illegal activities Turpin discovered the area while deer poaching.

However, by 1754 the three sites of Great Gilwell, Little Gilwell and most of the original Osborne estate were purchased and amalgamated

by William Skrimshire.

Skrimshire demolished the original Osborne Hall in favour of commissioning a build more in keeping with the times; he did however, retain the name again naming his new house Osborne Hall.

Today that very same building is known as the White House and timbers within the

building still date back to Skrimshire’s time.

The estate changed hand over the next few centuries playing host to many notable families of the times, some of whom moved in very prominent circles as it is said that King George III, King George IV and Prince Adolphus (7th Son of George III) regularly visited and stayed at the property. Yet by the early 1900s the estate had fallen into disrepair.

Here steps in a William de Bois Maclaren; the Scottish Scout Commissioner was visiting London on business in the 1910s. Saddened to see the lack of suitable outdoor area for the Scouts of the West End he contacted a Lord Robert

Baden Powell (a name that may ring a few bells!), B.P. agreed that the issue needed rectifying and the search for suitable land commenced, with Maclaren generously donating £7,000 towards any costs. After a search with little success a local Assistant Scout Leader suggested Gilwell a place where he often went bird watching. By pure fluke the 52 acres estate was on the market for exactly £7,000!

Clearly meant to be and by 1919 the estate had been purchased. Over the Easter of 1919 local Rover Scouts began repairs to estate. Maclaren himself became a dedicated part of the restoration helping to repair buildings and even donating a further £3,000

towards the upkeep.

Baden-Powell envisioned the estate as a training centre for Scouters and although he never lived at Gilwell he often camped, lectured, held courses, and attended meetings on site. The site clearly held great significance to the founder of Scouting as in 1929, when King George V conferred a barony on him, he chose 1st Baron Baden-Powell of Gilwell.

Today Gilwell remains the home of Scouting and hosting Reunion here maintains the rich legacy of B.P. to offer training opportunities to Scouters from across the world.

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Whispers from the Web

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Your tweets, pictures and comments Jack Maxton @jackmaxton One of my favourite parts of #gilwellreunion was celebratating another fantastic year of growth for @BritScoutOverCs

Gilwell Reunion @GilwellReunion Lots of people work really hard to put the event on, but a special mention goes to the @scoutadventures team!

Niall Pettitt @NiallScouts Thanks @BookbridgeUK for joining us at @GilwellReunion. What amazing opportunities you provide to UK scouts and learners all over the world!

Stu Bennett @stubennett04 First day back at work after 4 days off @GilwellReunion.

Miserable weather, rubbish traffic and nowhere to park #takemehome Jagz Bharth @jagzbharth ‘Most of all to Scout is to love’ a proud moment delivering this heartwarming poem to Volunteers from across the country @GilwellReunion

James Clarke @JamClar96 I set @GilwellReunion a challenge, to think how we can help with #PreparingBetterFutures and the result... 100s of amazing ideas & stories!

ThurrockGangShowSAS @ThurrockGSSAS We had a brilliant time at @ GilwellReunion networking, promoting @ThurrockGS and looking at our Brick on the #promisepath #gilwellreunion

Jake Scott @DarwenDYC Absolutely fantastic weekend at @GilwellReunion great to reconnect with old friends and make new! thanks to all of the staff and organisers!

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A fond farewell to Jagz This year’s Gilwell Reunion is the last official engagement for Deputy UK Youth Commissioner, Jagz Bharth.

We caught up with him before his last address at the Scouts’ Own extravaganza to see how he was feeling about his three years in the role and what was coming next.

Have you had a good 3 years in the role? Any particular highlights?

He grins. “Where do you start!? It’s been opportunity after opportunity, and truly been amazing to meet so many young people and adults from so many backgrounds.

Getting out there and meeting people at awards ceremonies, district forums, AGMs, and jamborees will be the bit that I miss the most. Not forgetting the World Scout Moot, which was such a powerful trip.

Meeting people from across the world, from different countries and cultures is just… wow.”

In some ways, you’ve become a bit of a scouting celeb. Who’s been the people you’ve been

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amazed by?

“Well, obviously I’ve been massively supported by and want to say thanks to the team: Hannah and Jay, Matt, Wayne, and Tim. But really, it’s been the amazing young people I’ve met, hearing their stories, their goals, and how scouting has developed them.”

And what’s next?

“I don’t actually know yet.

I’m going into my final year at Uni, and aside from that, continuing as an assistant Explorer Scout Leader (shoutout to Parker-Bowles Explorer Scout Unit!). I’ve always believed in staying connected to the grassroots, as that’s where scouting has its best impact.”

Finally, what would your message be to the next Youth Commissioners and other Scouts throughout the movement?

“I always say that whenever an opportunity comes up you’ve got to grab it with both hands, and see where it takes you!”

Don’t forget to listen to the fun again!

Scout Radio have been broadcasting througout Reunion weekend live from Camp Square. You can listen again to their whole schedule and even pick up some bonus features by heading over to their website.

Reunion was been a special event for Scout Radio,

@GilwellReunion

/GilwellReunion

Gilwellreunion@gmail.com

@GilwellReunion 07950 737900

Reunion Express 2017 was brought to you by: Team lead: Sarah Paget - Staff Support: Sara Reboredo Production: James Hage - Reporting and Photography: Lizzie Harvey, George Wormald-Kelly and Daniel Haigh Online Edition

providing an opportunity to showcase their recently acquired mobile studio. The unassuming caravan can be found in camp square providing the studio base for all the extradordinary content the team have been producing for all your listening needs all weekend.