World Scouts Jamboree 2023: South Korea

In August, most major news outlets had extensive coverage of the international Jamboree in South Korea. Most focused on the difficulties of dealing with an epic heatwave and the inability of the organisers to keep all their visitors safe and comfortable. But was it complete failure? Wendover News asked members of the Buckinghamshire contingent (known as the ‘Bucks Beacons’) to give their first-hand account. This was provided by scout Adam Hodges, with photographs by Phill Rycraft, Scout Leader, 1st Wendover.

Held in Saemangeum, South Korea, the World Scout Jamboree brought together 45,000 Scouts from across the world. In the year before the event, the Bucks Beacons, with 36 young people aged 14-17 and four leaders, participated in training activities, getting to know each other, learning how to camp, cook and stay healthy while abroad.

Scouts also ran their own local fund-raising campaigns with a target of £3,670 each, from activities that supported their local communities. Local scouts Rory Atwell and Adhi Khan would like to thank all Wendover News readers who so generously helped them.

The first five days of the 20-day adventure were spent travelling to Seoul via Amsterdam, then exploring some of the sights in and near to the city. Adam recalls the impact of then arriving at the jamboree site: “We arrived quite late in the afternoon and only had a short time to drop our kit and set up camp before an amazing opening ceremony. It included a flag parade of every country attending, an appearance from Bear Grylls with K-pop, and a drone show to finish. 45,000 scouts sharing the same passion and energy – it’s something we will never forget”.

local area, found countless amazing coffee and cake shops, hired paddle boards, and paddled on the Han River in the shadow of the Lotte World Tower (the sixth tallest building in the world).

Later in the evening we went up the tower and some of the unit walked across the Sky Bridge, a walkway 500m above the city. We also visited the beautiful Gyeongbokgung Palace and dressed up in traditional Hanbok clothing.

“The official closing ceremony was an opportunity for all 45,000 participants to come together one final time for an amazing K-pop concert and firework display. The final time in South Korea included a hike to Bibong Peak, followed by a day trip to the De-Militarised Zone (DMZ) that borders North Korea, then a trip to the Caribbean Bay water park.”

“We were 500m above Seoul in Lotte Tower and one of the Scouts started playing the piano, then another started singing, I was in shock at how talented they were, and to see them express themselves with such passion was amazing.” Phill Rycraft, Unit Leader.

In the end the Bucks group only stayed at the Jamboree camp for four days. The situation of the heatwave and inadequate facilities, with a typhoon threatening to follow, was widely publicised. Adam explained “Despite those challenges

The Bucks Beacons endured, and dare I say even thrived, in the face of adversity. The hotter it got the more opportunity for water fights!

“We had some of the most amazing food, although due to the language barrier we were not always sure what we were eating!” - Nick Warner

“After being advised to leave the camp seven days earlier than planned, the Bucks Beacons travelled back to Seoul and improvised a programme to make the best of the situation. We explored the

What stood out for Adam was the close bond that members of the unit developed. He recalls one participant saying: “The jamboree wasn’t what I expected, but learning to trust the people in my unit has helped me develop the strongest friendships I’ve ever experienced.”

He also said, “The World Scout Jamboree was an incredible opportunity for us scouts to broaden our horizons, make new friends, and develop important life skills. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I would do it all over again if I could.” Fellow adventurer Abigail added “Although the Jamboree was not quite the experience I expected, it was the experience I got, and I loved every minute. It has changed me so much and is truly the best thing that has ever happened to me.”

Adam concluded “Although the official jamboree adventure is ending, the memories and friendships we have made will stay with us forever. Many of us are looking to attend the Poland jamboree in 2027, while others extend their Scouting experience by inspiring the next generation of Scouts to follow us. Either way, the legacy of the Bucks Beacons lives on through all of us.”

The full original report by Adam Hodges, and further photographs can be found on wendovernews.co.uk.

For details of Scouting in Buckinghamshire: www.bucks-scouts.org. uk and for 1st Wendover Scouts, www.1stwendoverscouts.co.uk.

Chris was a nature lover from a young age, as his family evacuated from London to Stratford on Avon during World War Two. On leaving Wimbledon College, national service sent him to study Russian at the Joint Services School for Linguists in Bodmin, then on to Germany. Chris went up to Magdalene College, Cambridge in 1956 to study natural sciences and agriculture. On graduation in 1960 he joined the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food at Gleadthorpe experimental husbandry farm, Notts, where he was soon joined by Mary (née Hull) after their marriage in 1961. In late 1964 they were seconded to the National Agricultural Laboratory in Nairobi, Kenya with their two young sons, Andrew and Edmund, in the newly independent country. In 1967 Chris was posted to the Agricultural Advisory Service (ADAS) office in Stoke Mandeville.

They bought their first home in Weston Turville where their daughter Ruth was born. In 1973, Chris moved from the Ministry to the National Farmers Union in London, at the same time moving to Lionel Avenue in Wendover. Chris furthered his career by taking a degree in economics with the Open University, studying on his daily train commute to London. He remained at the NFU for the rest of his working life.

Chris was a keen linguist, especially French and German, and was a father who fully supported his children’s education. He enjoyed fermenting both beer and yoghurt, which he was always more than willing to share with visitors! Chris and Mary joined Wendover Bridge Club and played at home. Chris enjoyed his garden, planting many fruit

Tribute: Christopher Peeler

(January 1, 1936 – 17 September, 2023)

and ornamental trees and establishing extensive vegetable beds. Chris and Mary continued to travel, across Europe, and further afield to Kenya, the US and New Zealand to visit family.

Retirement in 1996 allowed Chris to become more heavily involved in village activities. He became a governor of Wendover Middle School, a parish councillor, started a U3A Italian group, campaigned for cycle lanes and was an active supporter of the Wendover Society and the local BBOWT branch. He and Mary also had more time to travel, including cruises down the Rhine and Volga, and visiting the Galapagos islands with their close friends, Jim and Rosemary Waller.

For Chris, family came above everything else. Already close to his four older siblings who he saw regularly at family walks and reunions, he and Mary were devoted to their grandchildren and always willing to have them stay, and in turn, they spent time with their much-loved grandparents. Chris spent the last year of his life with Mary at Cherry Tree House Nursing Home. He leaves his wife, Mary, children, Andrew, Edmund and Ruth and grandchildren, Ben, Angus, Georgia, Joe, Megan, Ellen and Hannah. See wendovernews.co.uk for the full version of this tribute.

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