Issue 2
Saturday 3rd September 2016
Opening a celebration in style Wayne Bulpitt welcomed members to the 90th Gilwell Reunion during a short opening Ceremony in The Lid last night. He opened with some advice to newcomers to the event, including the likelihood of being led “astray” by more experienced attendees of Reunion. With 90 years being marked – don’t do the maths, yes, the first Reunion was held in 1921 – there was time to reflect
on traditions. Some of which have slipped us by over the years. Wayne described events like the sound of the Kudu horn being blown by the Chief Scout at 7.30am to wake the camp or a Chief Scout’s tent inspection – there was much disappointment that this could not be arranged for this year. While some traditions have sadly become a thing of the past, others have remained,
including a film and campfire. Wayne mentioned that there will be a special appearance at campfire tonight – his UK Commissioner Camp Blanket! “Whether it’s your 1st or 51st Gilwell. Wherever you are from around the UK or the World, make the very most of this opportunity. Attend the seminars and workshops throughout the weekend. Make friends old and new. Most importantly enjoy!”
Saturday 2 Sep 2016
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Heights of Inspiration
Reunion Express
Here to help it’s the RST The Regional Service Team would like to let you all know that they are here to answer all your questions, especially around growth and development. They are also next to DGB who can support you about funding help. Find them both in the Support Zone on the Training Ground.
Scouting is about inspiring others; as leaders we inspire our young people and they often inspire us! This week we get to the opportunity to inspire each other - at this Reunion our keynote speaker is going to be doing just that. Rhys Jones is the youngest person to climb the highest mountains on each of the 7
continents, which of course includes Mount Everest. Scouting is the foundation for his achievements and the journey that really did take him to the top! He’ll be sharing all of his highs and lows, from his most exhilarating summits to terrifying near death experiences. He will take us from his
Your messages
Our Movement, Our Year
- Happy 50th birthday to Phillip Sumner from Dan
This year Reunion will play host to not one but two AGMs! Saturday morning saw The Scout Association Annual General Meeting hosted at Gilwell for the first time. It was a great chance to capture the different and geographically diverse Scouters already here for Reunion, truly two birds with one stone!
- Welcome to the Reunion first timers: Jane Evans, Matt Styles - Eileen Galling has received a British Citizen Award for 62 years (and counting) service in Scouting. She spent a day in the House of Lords having afternoon tea. - At 2.22pm by the Baden Powell statue (behind the White House) Graham CaterPugh will be doing the 22 challenge to combat stress and would like some support - A commerative plaque will be unveiled on the Buffalo Lawn in the memory of Piet Deckers from “Intercamp”
roots as a Hampshire Scout and the ways that Scouting has motivated and continues to motivate him both as a young person and adult. Plus he will chat about the skills that have helped him become a real life Explorer! If you want to attend make sure you head to the Training Ground for 2.00pm to catch the keynote speech.
Map ammendment There has been a small ammendment to the map you have all been given. The bungee run, which was meant to be on the Quick (no.8 on the map) is now next to The Lid.
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Reunion Express
You tell us... “What makes Scouting friends so special?” You’ve always got a common ground to strike up a conversation, so actually going and talking and making new friends is a lot easier! Gareth
Saturday 3 Sep 2016
What’s going on the next 12 hours
Camping together with people you’ve known from a young age and grown up with!
Lauren
We’re from two completely different parts of the world and we are very good friends, and we’re travelling together. It’s amazing and incredible! Ines and Hyesun
Sitting around a fire at 4am and having that certain understanding with each other because of the shared experiences that you find yourselves in.
Luke
From 1pm there will be a Q+A session at the training ground. Hosted by Hannah Kentish and directing questions at Wayne Bullpit and Tim Kidd, and a “meet the team” drinks reception at 3pm. The pub opens at 7.30pm
More than a friendship knot Reunion means a lot of things to a lot of people, but this is especially true for Sarah Owen and Andrew Goode, cub leaders from Peterborough who are here for their 10th Reunion. The event has extra significance for them, as it’s where the two of them first met in 2006, and have come along together every year since. There’s clearly something special in the air, as the couple will be getting married in October this year, with a special Gilwell neckerchief cake to mark the occasion! They mention meeting Bear Grylls and Phil Packham as their favourite memories - aside from meeting each other, of course! Congratulations to you both!
Gilwell fact of the day
Gilwell was taken over during World War II. It was used as a training, ordnance and command site. The staff eat where the hospital theatre was!
with The Lid opening at 8pm. There is also a Ceilidh, disco and bottle bar on the training ground at 8.30pm. Tonights film in The Swan Centre is the Jungle Book Don’t forget the Campfire starts at 7.30pm, and the Quiz starts at 9pm!
Get in touch and be in the newspaper We want to share everything you go through this weekend, hear all about your fantastic adventures and see what you see - and there’s so many ways for you to get in touch! We have reporters and photographers on site, so feel free to say hi. Celebrating a birthday or anniversary? Drop us a text message or a note into one of the suggestion boxes around site. Think you have a fantastic story? Get in touch! We’re on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram so you can share all the fun with us - and those who are missing out! All our details are on the back page - we look forward to hearing from you.
Saturday 3 Sep 2016
Weather for the Sunday
It will be a dry day with a good chane of sunshine throughout the morning. Highs of 20oc with a medium pollen count. In the afternoon it will cloud over but will stay dry throughout.
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Reunion Express
Make yourself proud! Ever fancied your chances as a world leader? Well sitting on the old training ground is your opportunity to become a Guinness World Record Holder. Three of the toughest challenges in the world have been selected for you to try out this weekend; - Fastest time to sort 30 coloured Crayons - Most Jenga blocks removed from a tower in 1 minute - Most Lemons caught in 1 minute whilst blindfolded (A challenge for a team of two) Each of the three bases has a coach who can talk you through the rules and then time you to complete your challenge. The challenge areas each have their own leaderboard – make it to the top and after 45 minutes you will be invited into
the Champions Arena to demonstrate your skills again, this time in front of Lucy the Guinness World Records Adjudicator. If you score well enough
and your final score beats the current record you will be crowned a Guinness World Record Holder and will receive your official certificate today!
Whispers from the Web
Your tweets, pictures and comments Alexandra Landers This is fast becoming one of my favourite places. — at Gilwell Park, UK Scout Headquarters.
Jagz Bharth @jagzbharth Fantastic start to @GilwellReunion with @ScoutShops today! #reunion2016
Poacher 2017 @Poacher2017 We’re all set up and ready to spread the word about @Poacher2017 at #GilwellReunion! Tim Kidd timothy.kidd Great meeting Berkshire Youth Commissioners.
@GilwellReunion
Adey Greaves @adeyg Up bright and early, off to Gilwell #scoutagm. Meeting @ccderbyshire. Hopefully catch up with @WayneBulpitt and @TimothyKidd amongst others
/GilwellReunion
Jack Maxton @jackmaxton Good morning Gilwell Park! Looking forward to a great day @GilwellReunion
@GilwellReunion
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Reunion Express 2016 was brought to you by volunteers of the Scout Media ASU. Production by James Hage - Reporting by Sarah Paget, Lizzie Harvey and George Wormald-Kelly - Photographs by Tina Wing and Neal Revell Online Edition