Colchester Castle

Today I started off on a footsteps activity at Colchester castle. The Jamboree bussed out two coachloads of Scouts to us and we ran two half day activities. In the morning it was Footsteps, taking them up to the castle museum and letting them explore. I think we could have done with encouraging them to try the interactive part of the exhibits more, as we were out and eating lunch fairly early.

In the afternoon I stayed with my coachload of Americans, Spaniards, Japanese and Devonites, and went on to the Starburst activity. The Japanese troop sanded down one of the park buildings, while the Americans and Spanish set to work with wire brushes on some rusty iron gates. The Brits were handed some gardening tools and set about attacking an overgrown corner of the park with great enthusiasm.

Patrick (aka Granville for those that know him) observed “If ever you need a fence painting, you need to get some Azerbaijani Scouts”. Said scouts had apparently got through their allotted task in the morning with great speed. But today I can’t fault any of the Scouts who all did as they were asked without slacking or complaining.

On return to the site, many of SAGGA were back at Hylands catering for a Starburst reception. I collapsed and fell asleep, being slightly dehydrated, and dozed until half six, nearly missing my dinner, but arriving in time for a large portion.

And now, having showered, it’s time to relax. It’s nice to catch up with friends.

UK government funds peace conference

Well sort of. Good news! Ed Milliband has promised nearly £1,500,000 towards the World Jamboree in Chelmsford this year. The jamboree is a meeting of around 40,000 young people from just about every country, culture, race and religion on the planet, and just what the world needs in these times of misunderstandings.

I hope though that the Government does more to recognise the great role the Scout movement has played in the world over the past century, and the tremendous worth of the work of volunteers in this country. There’s a petition over on the number 10 website which says throwing money at us simply isn’t enough we need senior politicians making big statements as to how much Scouting means to the UK and the world.