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The world is our oyster

Beavers at the age of six and in scouting ever since, Annie and Hugh have been preparing for such an experience as the World Scout Jamboree for all of their young lives. Inspired by older Scouts coming to talk to them about their experiences in far flung lands, the pair jumped at the opportunity to try for selection for the Jamboree, to be held in South Korea in 2023.

As they planned their trip to Poacher – Lincolnshire’s International Scout and Guide Jamboree held in August – the prospect of joining over 6,000 scouts and guides did not phase them one bit. They positively bubbled over with enthusiasm, not least because when they attended the selection camp for the World Scout Jamboree back in February, they passed the test with flying colours. For twelve days in August next year the pair will be in Saemangenum – at 1.5 kilometres by 8.5 kilometres, an area larger than Gibraltar – with 45,000 other Scouts. Followed by five days in the Capital, Seoul, this promises to be an expedition of a lifetime by anyone’s standards. The UK is sending the largest contingent with 90 units, including 27 individuals from Lincolnshire. When asked what it was about their performance that so impressed the selection panel, Annie is quick to say that befriending six other scouts and performing a lively dance in the campfire talent show probably clinched her selection early on. All of those Saturday mornings with the Deepings School of Dance since the age of three have served her well! Hugh, meanwhile, formed a boy band ‘The Six Directions’ performing a never to be forgotten rendition of ‘Party in the USA’ with a passing nod to Miley Cyrus. Food was a challenge in the bitter February wind; the fire they made never seemed to get hot enough for them to cook chicken to a high enough temperature for them to safely eat it. They survived on a diet of salad in wraps. In order that the process was as fair as possible the candidates were known by their number rather than their name, an entirely new experience for the pair but one which did not put them off, ‘If we hadn’t been selected, we would still have really enjoyed the experience!’ Now all that was left to do was to raise £4,000 each which funds their flights, camp, food and all the equipment needed for what has been described as a ‘Scouting Olympics’. No slouches these two, they embarked on this task with all their usual energy and enthusiasm. They held a ‘lucky square’ draw for the Jubilee which yielded £200, held a coffee morning at the Priory Church Hall with a tombola which raised £625 and were much

encouraged by the outpouring of support from their friends and families. Both are working at part-time jobs as well as, in Hugh’s case, studying for his GCSEs and Annie preparing for hers next year. With a family bingo night planned and a quiz night after Christmas, excitement is definitely growing. There are 27 in their group spread throughout Lincolnshire and paired with a group of ten from Gibraltar. There have been many online meet ups, they have a group chat and will be taking part in multiple training camps, one of which the Scouts from Gibraltar aim to attend. Details of what to expect at the Jamboree ‘There are are slowly emerging. The pair are keen to unleash their culinary skills when they participate in the food 27 in their group spread corridor, when each country showcases the dishes from home. Lincolnshire sausages and tea are lined up to be part of the offer from this neck of the woods. There will throughout be opening and closing ceremonies where flags from every country represented will be paraded. Uniforms Lincolnshire and paired with include baseball jerseys with the same numbers as they were allocated as part of the selection process and their Lincolnshire neckers will be currency when the great a group of ten swap takes place! from Gibraltar’ Both Hugh and Annie are keen sportspeople, Annie’s Glinton football team has just signed up for Deeping United while Hugh is a cyclist, hockey and rugby player. With enormous cultural diversity on offer, and a vast range of new experiences to try in Korea, Annie and Hugh are ready for anything!