Issue 3
Sunday 9th September 2018
Fields of inspiriation As everyone gathered on the Training Ground to collect their Pimms, one of our Scout Ambassadors nervously looked on awaiting his moment to speak to the congregated masses. A lesser known name in the list of Scouting Ambassadors, Dwayne Fields makes up for it in character and passion for the movement. He attributes Scouting for providing opportunities that changed his life. Polar Explorer, (the youngest British black man to reach the magnetic North Pole) and a Freeman of London, Dwayne is passionate
about the outdoors. “I was born in Jamaica. A poor area, but I had all the basics as well as the things I needed – love & freedom. I came to London, aged six, from a wide open space with forests to a high-rise block in Hackney.” In his keynote Dwayne shared the warm welcome and encouragement to be himself that Scouting afforded him in a time when he was a adjusting to living in a new country. “In Jamaica I had been this loud, confident kid. I lost all of that.” It was a chance encounter that encouraged
Dwayne out of his shell. A friend’s mum was dropping his friend off at Cubs and the leader asked if he was a new member. This leader’s approach was “we don’t have spectators” and all of a sudden Dwayne found himself taking part in activities he recognised from being at home in Jamaica – making a bridge from wood and rope. “It was the very first time I’d experienced expressing myself through play”. Through all of his adventures and expeditions this encounter has stayed with
him. He wished a heartfelt thankyou to all of those in the crowd who help out, support or fundraise for local groups. “You are doing an amazing job and you don’t realise the impression you are making.” His thought to leave everyone with was a quotation he felt is in an apt reflection of his scouting experience and what he aims to do through his expeditions. “My favourite quote, which rings true of so many of you here, is from Marie Curie – If you want to change the world, change the individual”.
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Sunday 9th Sep 2018
One more knot along the row I go In the shadow of the Gilwell Oak at 14:00 yesterday stood Gill Clay (BP’s Granddaughter), Dwayne Fields (UK Scout Ambassador) and Tim Kidd (we all know who he is by now right!). Together they initiated the Friendship Circle. The Friendship Circle is a fundraising project aiming to raise money to help to get Scouting into deprived communities. Gill, Dwyane and Tim tied the first three scarves together with the famous friendship knot
Reunion is LIT. Brought together to gather around the fire, sat on small benches shoulder to shoulder, yet having a fab time. Songs, including some that have popped up previously and some that were new, repeated by a willing crowd kept moving by the hosts. Dancing and shouting, oinking and quacking and other silly noises ensued! Doing the campfire obviously must be fun for the organisers and leaders both!
Reunion Express
Reunions youngest attender From pacifiers to pacemakers – Gilwell Reunion brings along all shapes, sizes and ages. We often hear about it being the first event for new attendees, but what about the very first camp? Well, for little Lachlan Amass (pass and
lanyard for scale), son of Paul and Martina from Bexley, it must be a very big event! At only four weeks old, let’s hope that this will be the first of many - he certainly looks comfortable in a camp chair, a good start for any leader!
starting off a chain that aims to be 7000 strong and made up of numerous scarves from thousands of people from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures - all linked by Scouting! This time next year, at Gilwell Park’s 100th Anniversary, the vision is to run the long line of scarves around the perimeter of site. To join in the Friendship Circle and make a difference, make your contribution and donate your scarf on the Promise Path.
Gill Clay’s Mnemonic for a Friendship Knot
If your friend is down, give her a hug. If she’s down again, support her. She’ll support you back. For you’re tied together in friendship.
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Reunion Express
Sunday 9th Sep 2018
#SUNDAYS join the fun!
Photo Winner Congratulations to Charlotte Carden who posted this photo of... something... via the app. It defintely won the title of most randomly dressed! The next theme we want photos of is an easy one... The most luggage
The fun didn’t stop yesterday, and a whole host of training sessions are running today on a diverse range of topics from support for inclusivity and diversity awareness to programme planning, and from the charity commission’s new annual return system to Scout Network. Exhibitors are still demonstrating their wares in
the Fox and Wolf Marquees and the International Departures Lounge is still boarding in Essex Chase. And be sure to take part in the mini adventure competition and a backwoods buffet in the newly installed Scout Adventures Tipis in camp square! One o’clock will see the closing ceremony and Scouts’
Own taking place on the Training Ground. Be sure to pop by for the gathering and to close out a fab weekend here (and play a round of bingo on us – see the next page). And with that, it’s time to strike camp, jump on a minibus, and head back home (except for those volunteers staying on to help in the next few days)!
Question of the day...
If you could pass on only one skill - what would it be? Critical thinking. If one the common scouting skills, then orienteering. Deanna Rebecca Earley
To look and listen before jumping in with both feet. It could be called “Be prepared!!” Trevor Watson
How to live in harmony with yourself. Graham Rothery
How to tidy up after yourself. Tamsyn Holland Congratulations to the winners of the quiz last night 1st - Slightly Alcoholic Graduates Generate Acronyms - 109 pts 2nd - It’s on the paper - 107 pts 3rd - No one expects the Spanish Inquisition - 104 pts Wooden Spoon - The Quizard of Oz - 63 pts
Hi to Adam, Philip and Dan from Cheadle District, and happy 25th birthday to Zoë! from Cath Kippax A very big hello and welcome to all the newbies from Petworth & Pulborough District, from Terry. We would like to do a shout out to all the members of QSWP for all their hard work in The Lid and the Queen’s Squiffy Woggle Pub. Absolutely brilliant night! From Sam, John and Ben Wanted to say a big thank you to the BUSHSCOUT team for a fantastic session yesterday #skillsforlife! From Abi
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Sunday 9th Sep 2018
Reunion Express
Scout’s Own Bingo We’ve bought it back again: Scout’s Own Bingo! Without looking at any of the speeches we’ve come up with some keywords we think will be mentioned at the Scout’s Own. There are three different cards between this edition of the Express and the first one to shout out BINGO wins!
Today’s weather
It should be a decent day for taking tents down, with sunny intervals and temperatures reaching 18.°
Whispers from the Web
Your tweets, pictures and comments Trevor @TrevorKWatson Campfire lit. Let’s sing and stamp our feet. @ GilwellReunion
Alex Peace-Gadsby @AlexxiaPG
On patrol @GilwellReunion with @MarkTarryChief @samorrisuk
Dwayne Fields @DwayneFields The crowd of 3000+ Scout leaders, volunteers and members at the @ GilwellReunion were great. Thank you all for lending me your ears, you were a brilliant bunch #Scouts #skillsforlife
@GilwellReunion
Jon Richards @scoutJonR Halfway through the @ GilwellReunion quiz run by @ukcontingent , the tent is packed. Well over 50 teams, emergency deliveries of chairs and maple syrup. What else does a quiz need? #UK24WSJ
/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, Melisa Muñoz and other members of the ASU Online Edition