Issue 3
Sunday 3rd September 2017
Leading from experience As keynote speaker for this year’s Reunion, Scouting ambassador Ed Stafford spent part of the day exploring Reunion and sharing his experiences with everyone here. Following a brief walk around, Ed took to the Scout Adventures stand to run a session on firelighting with some leaders keen to polish up their skills from a professional survivalist. In his speech on the training ground, Ed regailed stories from his Amazonian
adventure; a two and a half year journey following the Amazon river from its source to the sea. He gave details of his highs, lows and the many challenges along the way including encounters with tribes and loggers. Reunion Express spoke to Ed earlier in the day to ask him about his experiences and any advice he has for leaders and young people alike. When asked about his scouting experiences, Ed admitted he was a reluctant Cub and Scout but
acknowledges the skills he gained. “It was all the skills that invariably you still use today. Packing a rucksack, using a compass, using a map and it was the building blocks of becoming competent and confident in the outdoors”. When asked what advice he would give young people who might want to follow in his footsteps. “My advice would be, build up the experience, get qualifications… As your confidence starts to go up you’ve got the opportunity to start doing things that
will make people stand up and start paying attention. I think the ground work is really important. Building up the skillset and experience is really important.” What if we were to desert you somewhere, what item would you bring with you? “I used to say a knife because a knife accelerates everything. Now if I’m asked what I would take with me to an island I would answer another person. It’s that isolation - for me isolation is one of the hardest things”.
Sunday 3 Sep 2017
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Reunion Express
A year of success and improvement The all-important Annual General Meeting of The Scout Association is a mainstay of Gilwell Reunion as it makes it as accessible as possible for as many people as possible. A packed Eagle Marquee hosted interested Council members and observers to talk about the year that’s been and the years to come. Those in attendance viewed videos of the adventures of Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers and Network; there was a focus on the impact of the Scout Ambassadors too, including Ellie Simmonds, Steve Backshall, Helen Glover and Ed Stafford. The yearly review highlights that there’s clearly many things to be proud of, from Cubs100 with Promise parties up and down the country and even Royal Mail issuing a commemorative franking, to the collaboration and co-operation that was demonstrated at Summit17. Tim was challenged to sum up the year in less than a minute, and delivered, with time to spare: “the twelfth year of growth; new sections opened in over 460 of the
most deprived areas in the country; and 230,000 involved in social action through A Million Hands.” On the inclusivity front, the big news is that the association now has 27% female membership (with now over 100,000 girls in the movement), and growth in Muslim, Sikh and Jewish Groups across the country. From a Youth Shaped perspective, there have been 139 appointments of County and District Youth Commissioners, and
revamped resources for Sixes and Patrols. Looking at community impact, the success of A Million Hands (for which there were 1000+ pieces of media created, reaching an audience of circa 90million) was due to the fact that the young people chose the topics they wanted to focus on, including even the most difficult areas of concern, such as the environment and mental health. Lastly, when it comes to growth, the target of 150,000
leaders by 2018 was, at last count 154,000 in 2017; female youth growth has been 6%, there’s been an increase in Cub leaders, and a growth in Young Leaders. Looking forward exciting changes, unanimously voted in, will see the Council of the Association have greater reprsentation of young people striving towards making it more Youth Shaped. Further details will be publish in the minutes which will be available soon.
Campfire’s a roaring success The mainstay of Gilwell Reunion has got to be the campfire. A sea of warm camp blankets, neatly sown-on badges and all-too-comfy camp chairs – and not just a few duvets! Fierce back and forth competition between sides: With both teams yelling out “there ain’t no flies on us!”, a close tie was announced.
As the fire gently crackled away, Glen Brooks was the enthusiastic, loud and very talented host for the evening. He led the crowd in a rendition of Green Grow the Rushes, O! and had people jumping up and down repeatedly, including Tim Kidd’s all-too-well practiced do-si-do!
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Transport team to save the day
Getting off site at major events can be tricky, especially when there is a lot of kit to move.The transport team are here to help! Once you have packed up your kit and your ready for a lift back to your car, head to the old farmhouse (opposite the lid) and book your transport. They will pick you up from the farmhouse, drive you round to your kit and take you to your car. Unfortunately, if you dont wait or your kit isnt ready then you will have to join the que again. For more information call the Transport Team on;
0208 4985450
Sunday 3 Sep 2017
Rover100 Launch
Get in touch and be in the newspaper
Hoping Dan and Lisa from Finedon had a great first Reunion and that there are many more! - Anna, Donna, Joe + Patsy A big shout out to Scout Radio! Thanks for providing a soundtrack to a great weekend! The UK Scout Network is jumping from strength to strength since its reboot 2 years ago with more young people involved than ever before as well as sending the UK’s biggest ever Moot Contingent to Iceland this year. The team showcased two fantastic Explorer Belt expeditions to Hungary and Peru – made more amazing by the fact the teams only met each other in situ! But the big news was yet to come as 2018 is 100
years of Rover Scouts (or in it’s contemporary incarnation Network) and the UK Scout Network team don’t plan on letting it just pass the association by. It was here at Reunion that RoverRail was announced; an international adventure event travelling via the European rail network to a top-secret finish point somewhere in Europe! If you’re 18-25 next September make sure you book on when it goes live later this year!
Hi to all the IST for Japan and the CubJam guys - Lydia McDowell Lost item - Wedding Ring Fell of between the toilet block and camping area on Blanchet Field. If found please email ali.kattana@axescouts.org.uk Editors note - thanks to all the Scouters who gave up part of their night and joined the Reunion Express team in searching for the ring.
Whispers from the Web
Your tweets, pictures and comments
PeterboroughGangShow @pgangshow Ralph’s ready to party, starting with a selfie with @AlexxiaPG chief commissioner of England! @GilwellReunion #pborogangshow
UK Muslim Scouts @UKMuslimScout
Jack Oliver White @jackwhite1997
Amazing day at #GilwellReunion, sharing Eid with over 3000 leaders from across the UK and globe. thank you to @KISC for the prizes! #UKMSF
@GilwellReunion is actually the best thing since sliced bread #iscout – at Scout Association
Michael @MikeWSCYC Had a fantastic time @GilwellReunion!! Top weekend of talks, catching up with old friends and making new ones too!! Even met @Ed_Stafford!
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Sunday 3 Sep 2017
Reunion Express
Time for Scouts Own bingo! Back by request! Last year’s Bingo went down well and we’ve even had offers to see the script so that we get callers out! However, to play fair we turned down the offer and came up with a list of 30 words that should be mentioned in the AGM. From the list below, pick a word or phrase and add it into the card on the right. You can only use each phrase and each box once. First to get a line of five and shout BINGO will get the accolades for this year, taking the crown from 2016 winner; American, David Sullivan. Don’t forget, the fleur de lis is a free square and can be included in your five. Here are your words to choose from: Gilwell Bear Grylls Necker/Scarf Strategy Vision Tim Kidd Kester Sharpe Matt Hyde Hannah Kentish Woodbeads Adventure Million Hands Community Values Inclusion
Young People Movement Promise Campfire 91st Reunion Development Scout Programme World HashTag Promise Path Woggle Jamboree Association
Weather for today A dry, bright start to Sunday, though winds will pick up throughout the day. This will make the bigger tents harder to take down, but at least they will be dry, and the highs of 19°c around lunchtime should help too. In the early evening Gilwell Park will be hit by some small, patchy showers, which will continue throughout the night.
@GilwellReunion
Don’t miss the final edition of the Reunion Express 2017! Thanks for taking the time to read the Reunion Express; the newspaper made by volunteers for volunteers. The 4th edition of the Reunion Express 2017 (along
issuu.com/reunionexpress
/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
with all the papers from this year) will be available on our online issuu for you to read, share and keep. Safe journey home and see you next year!