SEVEN scouts from West Devon were selected to represent the area at the International World Jamboree in Essex last month. The lucky participants were Reuben Grice from Mary Tavy; Danni Thompson, Horrabridge; William Ames, Buckland Monachorum; Chanelle and Lewis Belcher, Dousland; Rebekah Lewin, Tavistock; and Kate Charlton from Okehampton. On the morning of July 26, 36 scouts and four leaders from Devon boarded their coach and left Exeter services for their 12-day experience. They travelled to Hylands Park in Essex which was playing host to the 21st jamboree to celebrate 100 years of scouting. This was the biggest scouting event ever with more than 40,000 scouts, from 216 countries represented. The UK scouts arrived a day early to help people from other countries when they arrived. Kate Charlton, from Mid Devon Explorer Scouts, said: ?It was an amazing atmosphere at the jamboree with everyone speaking to each other and giving ?free hugs? to people they?d never met. ?If 40,000 scouts from all over the world, countries that are at war, countries at conflict can live together in peace and harmony for 12-days then why can?t the rest of the world follow the scouts? lead?? On the first night there was a UK opening party which featured Pete Duncan, chief scout, JK from Radio 1, Lemar, Liberty X and Anne Foy from CBBC. On August 1, everyone headed to the main arena for 7.30am to celebrate exactly 100 years since the start of scouting. During the morning there was a live link to Brownsea Island where Peter Duncan and two scouts from every scouting country were celebrating the centenary on the spot where scouting started. Every scout in the world renewed their promise in their own languages, many white doves were released to signify the world peace at the jamboree, and the last message to the scouts by founder Baden-Powell was read by his grandson. On the last night there was a special closing ceremony which featured performances from Mexican, Irish, Indonesian and Hong Kong scouts, and the flag was handed to Sweden who will be hosting the next jamboree in 2011.
