Issue 2
Saturday 8th September 2018
Party like there’s no tomorrow You’ve arrived, your tent’s up and (if you were early) you’ve had a chance to meet up with old friends over a drink. A warm welcome awaited leaders in the Lid, where the Camp Chief Ross Maloney greeted one and all with words of encouragement to get the most out of the support and
training available over the weekend, and offering his thanks to the volunteers and staff making Reunion happen. Ross, the Chief Operating Officer of the Scouts, was as ever adorned with the honorary six woodbeads presented by BP to Sir Percy Everett, who duly presented them back to the office of
Camp Chief of Gilwell Park in 1949 and they have been worn by every chief since. The baton (microphone) was passed on stage to CEO Matt Hyde, who was eager to let all know about the exciting selection of exhibitors on site at this year’s event who are a resource rich in programme ideas.
UK Commissioner Tim Kidd completed the greetings to all with enthusiastic messages of encouragement and welcome. Not to forget the UK Youth Commissioner, Hannah Kentish’s promise to Tim that by the end of this weekend she’d have taught him how to floss!
Saturday 8th Sep 2018
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Reunion Express
The changing shape of Youth Shaped In the low glow of the Gilwell office lightbulbs late Friday night we were joined by UK Youth Commissioner Hannah Kentish and her soon to be successor Ollie Wood. In the twilight hours of Hannah’s role before the dawn of Ollie’s, we quizzed them together on the UKYC role past, present and future. Hannah stepped into the role in 2014, paving the way for youth involvement to be embedded in the heart of Scouting across the country. “It was exciting to start with what was essentially a blank sheet”, Hannah told us, “although that was also probably the biggest difficulty starting from scratch” and from that blank sheet has grown over 400 Youth Commissioners nationwide and Youth Shaped is now an intergral and ingrained part of our everyday Scouting. “It was a privilege to work alongside
Wayne and Tim who helped foster a really great environment to develop.” Making big change for the better was clearly at the heart of Hannah’s vision “I really enjoyed the governance side of it all and seeing all the YCs with their CCs and DCs come together at Summit 17 to plan for the future. It was really great to see young people and adult volunteers working together in partnership.” Never have anyone’s size 5s seemed like such big boots to fill, of which is Ollie is acutely aware, “I’m pleased to be stepping into Hannah’s shoes. A precedent has been set and hopefully we will continue to impress with youth involvement. Hannah’s legacy of 400 Youth Commissioners is an excellent pace at which to make a difference!” There are clearly lots of exciting things still to come, Ollie eagerly informed us,
“we’re extending Youth Shaped opportunities by creating more support for our Youth Commissioners, as they are perfectly positioned to work with the sections, their words and ideas can have a huge impact. We’re also looking to put more support in for leaders too.” “It will be interesting to see how the sections move up and how Youth Shaped evolves.” Hannah pointed out, “it’s important to remember those who were the first generations of Youth Shaped will have moved up, Beavers become Cubs etc. and we need to make sure that Youth Shaped grows with them.” The conversation naturally turned to managing the role on a personal level. The role is as we can all imagine very demanding, but it was enlightening to hear how many facets of life play a part. “There’s going to be a
big void, it’s interesting to be stepping out of such a highprofile youth role, I’m not at a big career point in my life, if Matt was to step down as CEO of The Scouts he’d move to be CEO somewhere else, it doesn’t quite work the same for me. It’s difficult to find something to make the same kind of impact, especially outside of Scouting. I need to take a break and figure out what next; I’m going to go snowboarding for 4 months! I’m so pleased that this progression is happening, but tears will happen this weekend for sure.” Words of encouragement and enthusiasm flowed between the two, when asked for their final comments to each other their words were very poignant: “I really want to thank Hannah for the really firm foundations that have been laid, there’s loads to be proud of. In my opinion the last 4 years have been the most exciting chapter of modern Scouting, it has been led by Hannah, and that history is always going to be there whether she’s UKYC or not!” Hannah’s legacy after all is Ollie, a first-generation County Youth Commissioner becoming the secondgeneration UKYC. Hannah’s advice was equally poignant, “I’m just going to leave you with a piece of information that was given to me by Wayne who was given it by a previous Chief Scout, ‘nobody ever wants to talk to Hannah Kentish, they only really want to talk to the UKYC’, and I’ve held this firmly in my mind. Everyone’s there for the role and what the role stands for; you need to be there for the role too.” We wish Hannah the best of luck with her future adventures and Ollie with his new role and the exciting things to come. Hannah hands over to Ollie this weekend.
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Reunion Express
Saturday 8th Sep 2018
What’s going on - noon ‘til night
There’s a lot to get your (beaver?) teeth in to today; from stalls with programme ideas, bags of free goodies, and competitions to win some fab prizes. A positively huge 40 different learning and training sessions are on offer in the marquees and meeting rooms
(timetable found on the back of your site map) throughout the afternoon. Alongside this, do drop by each and every stall on the Training Ground. The selection of exhibitors, experiences and partners are wide ranging and are eager to share a treasure-trove of
activities and programme ideas. From trying on a space suit with the UK Space Agency and activity badges & snacks from the folks at Bear Nibbles, to invaluable building advice from iD Atlantic, and data compliance guidance from the Black Penny group.
Question of the day...
Why is Reunion important to you?
To meet old friends, get new ideas and have fun! Barbara Beck A chance to renew my Scouting spirit by just being part of the bigger picture. Mark Pullen
It’s a leaders experience… You get to act like a cub again. Marc Preston, Petfields, UK Visiting with old friends. Revisiting the place where we used to bring our scouts. John Davis, USA
Amendment
We all also know just how tough it can be coming up with fresh programme ideas, so the chaps from Pawprint Badges, Rasberry Pi, Jaffa and many others have packs and ideas ready to go. Check out the brandnew Bear Grylls Adventure attraction from Merlin, who are running a completion; sign up to win a 16-person camp via Youth Fun Days! Check out bases with Axe & Tomahawk throwing, 4x4 driving, and bushcraft skills, and talk to the people from British Scouting Overseas, the National Citizenship Service, Discover Sailing, and the Student Scout and Guide Organisation. Don’t forget the evening’s entertainments: the ‘Childhood Heroes’ disco, live music, the marvellous campfire, a talk on the last 100 years of scouting from Colin Walker, and two film showings. We’ll see you at the pub quiz! Happy birthday to Deanna O’Brien and Fiona Chestnutt from Oenone Mckellar. Happy 67th birthday to Graham Osborn and a big thank you for your support with the Troop! From Terry Humphries. Happy 23rd anniversary to Sarah and Stuart Weekes. The annnual Act of Remembrance will take place at the Cornwall Gate between the White House and Branchet - 10.15 am Sunday.
The presentation of the 37 Explorer Belts to those who completed the award in Oman has been moved from the Eagle marquee at 3pm to The Betty Clay Library at 3pm.
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Saturday 8th Sep 2018
Weather for the Saturday
Reunion Express
I kid you absolutely rot Photo
Winner Congratulations to the QSWP team who used a quiet second last night to snap this photo, with Nina fronting a crowd of at least 30 people (that’s where we stopped counting) The next photo competition topic is: Most randomly dressed
An overcast start to the day with showers possible around midday and 18:00, but highs of about 19°. However the showers should pass leading into a dry and warm night, with temperatures dropping to around 14°.
Depending on whether you arrived in the light or dark you may or may not have noticed the aesthetic differences on the drive up to the White House. Previously you’ll have seen the tall and elegant Poplar trees who for decades
have stood to attention; unfortunately, due to the discovery of incurable rot they’ve gone home. In their place you will find colourful flowerbeds and landscaped horticulture, as well as a rebuilt wall. Do stop to admire as you pass!
Whispers from the Web
Your tweets, pictures and comments Joshua Smith Where to go first....
Joanna Powell Representing Montana!!!!! Welcome to Gilwell!!!!
Nia Jones @Nia_fach When @GarethWyn97 abandons me... it’s ok because I catch up with my #twitterbanter pal @ TimothyKidd instead #SiblingsOnTour
Simone Bothwell @Simzxxx
Josh Macdonald @Eastlancs_Josh Loving our BSL signer at @ GilwellReunion this year! #inclusive #inclusivity #skillsforlife #scoutingforall
@GilwellReunion
Thanks @TimothyKidd for the picture! As always, loving celebrating scouting @GilwellReunion
/GilwellReunion
@GilwellReunion
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Reunion Express 2018 was brought to you by members of the Scout Content ASU. Production by James Hage - Content by Sarah Paget, Lizzie Harvey, George Wormald-Kelly, Daniel Haigh and other members of the ASU Online Edition