English Tea Rooms

As excited Scouts found their way to their first activities, and a sea of amazed day visitors found their way around the Jamboree site, a place of tranquillity could still be found on site. Jamboree reporter Sam Taylor found sanctuary from the hustle and bustle in the English Tea Rooms.



In the glorious sunshine, a winding queue snaked around the quaint English garden, as leaders and day visitors alike waited to be served at the tea room. With scrumptious cakes, and the welcoming aroma of tea circulating the air, a feeling of calm came across all those who visited this little bit of traditional England.



Many customers were ordering cream teas: special Jamboree tea served with scones packed full of clotted cream and jam. They were just as delicious as they looked.Visitors from Derbyshire were on their second trip to the tea rooms, and whilst seated took time to reflect on their experience at Hylands Park. Anthony, a Scout leader visiting a Jamboree site for the first time, said “you need time to sit and take in the whole experience. This is absolutely enormous”. Alan, a member of Fellowship was lucky enough to be part of the Korean World Jamboree in 1991. He added “not much has changed; the atmosphere and enjoyment are still the same. Being here at a Jamboree brings back a lot of memories for me”.Scout leaders were also taking a rest whilst their Scouts were at activities. Maria from Murcia in Spain said “we are very happy to be here, but still catching up on sleep after arriving very early yesterday morning”. “It is simply brilliant to experience another culture whilst also relaxing. We are looking forward to visiting the other international restaurants and coffee houses before we go home” said Jose.If you haven’t already had chance to taste the English delicacies at the tea rooms, make time before you leave. And for those who already want to take a piece of England home with them be sure to call at the tea shop for your own jar of Jamboree tea!

Can't wait to arrive on Brownsea

About three hundred Scouts left the Jamboree site early yesterday morning to trave to Brownsea Island, the place where Baden Powell started Scouting 100 years ago. Having been selected to represent their countries on the island, these Scouts are now making close friendships and enjoying this one-off event.

On Sunday evening they all met for Development Boulevard. As they walked in, they each shook the hand of the UK Chief Scout, Peter Duncan, before being split into four patrols and meeting their subcamp leaders.

"My heart feels like up here"
In a short speech, Peter Duncan welcomed everyone before he raised his hand above his head and said “I don’t know about you, but my heart feels like its up here”.A short DVD was played which showed activities on the island. For many of the seen what the island looked like. It was at this point that many of them realised how wonderful it is going to be for them to celebrate 100 years of Scouting at the place where it began.One of the participants, Al Frankl, said “I’ve been making loads of new friends and now can’t wait to arrive on Brownsea”. Al’s excitement was reflected in everybodys faces as their smiles grew throughout the evening.During their three days on the island the participants will discover the diversity of Scouting by taking part in many activities, including a 'time trial' across Continents where they will learn about different Scout music, dance, food, culture and religion as well as a World Carnival. The organisers of the event said: "These Scouts will represent the hopes of the world as they show how itis possible to live together in peace."

Restaurant Facts

• Meals to be served during the jamboree: 450,000
• People served daily: 8,000 IST memberes and 2,500 jamboree managers, delivery team members and the jamboree organisational team
• Restaurant seating capacity: 3,000
• Restaurant staff: 320
• Contracted staff: 60
• Lorry (truck) deliveries daily: Up to 14
• Waste recycled: 70%
• New flags to be displayed in the restaurant as of Friday: nine, including Serbia and Venezuela
• British word for potato chips: crisps

Wake up with Promise FM

Wake up with Promise FM

In the middle of the Plaza stands a portable container, with one side open. Besides burgundy walls, it is furnished simply - a table for two in the middle with two microphones, two computer screens and a mixing desk with loads of switches taking up most of the space. Two people are able to squeeze in behind the table, but that’s it. This is the home of the Promisefm 87.7, the Jamboree’s own radio station.

A small crowd has gathered outside the station, and today they got lucky. The Adventure, who recorded the Jamboree song, Jambo, popped in unexpectedly for on interview and sung part of the song live, both in English and French.

At 09:00 the four morning show DJs, Jennie Hornsby, Oliver Lackie, Dominique "Calao" Tinguely, and Harvey Kennett have already been up for 4.5 hours and on air since 06:00. However, they do not look tired. Multiple cups of coffee and hot chocolate have been consumed during the morning to keep them going.

The morning show is not scripted, but the time is divided into two sections. The first hour is in the studio with all the DJs, and for the other three hours of the show two of the DJs go to sub camps and take part of the show on the road.

“Dominique and I talked with a Korean troop and they offered us breakfast, says Kennett. “We had rice, seaweed, and some other Korean specialities. Another day we were at the Island Hub and while Dominique was still eating breakfast I was trying to do an interview in English with a French Scout. When he heard that on the radio, he ran to finish the interview in French.”

Combining a career and a hobby

All of the DJs are experienced radio personalities. Hornsby, 21, has her own radio show in Essex, Lackie, 18, has a weekly radio show at his college, Tinguely, 26, has a radio show in Geneva, and Kennett, 37, has helped with Scout camp radio stations. Talking on a radio is something they are all passionate about and what they love doing.

“I wanted to be a part of team instead of having a show of my own,” says Hornsby. “This was an opportunity, and I love this job.” “For me this was a challenge,” adds Tinguely, the French DJ. “I wanted to improve my English and get memories.”

At 09:55 the DJs are playing the funny bits from yesterday’s show. They have 5 minutes of the show left. The time runs out, they switch to the news coming from the Media Centre, and leave the broadcasting room.

You will not hear their voices on the radio until the next morning but they are not done with talking. Lively chatter in English and French continues as soon as they are out of range of the microphones.

Programme begins across the Jamboree

The sun came out around lunchtime and started drying out all the mud, which was lucky as so many people were walking round site getting to the activities. There was lots of noise from every corner of the site, recycled music came from Trash and Rockets were flying in the air on Elements.

Day visitors were able to come on site finally and many were walking around in awe with the enormity of the site and number of people taking part. Comments such as “There are so many tents it’s breath taking” were heard. It is not surprising that most of the guests don’t appear to want to leave!

Participants were bustling around enjoying the activities and all made lots of new friends. There are so many challenges around site that it will be a challenge itself to get them all completed!

With so much happening it’s a wonder anyone had any energy for their evening activities, but whilst walking across the Plaza Sunday evening on my way to Black Magic, there were plenty of participants around making use of the shops and food outlets, assuring me that they had a fun packed day and were looking forward to a fun packed evening as well.

Message August 1st

The sun is rising on a new century of Scouting.

When joining millions of other Scouts in the renewal of the Promise let us thank all those who made it possible for us to live the unique, exciting and involving experience of Scouting, starting with our Founder BP.

We live in times of increasing disparities, world wide intolerance, tensions and growing conflicts. Irresponsible life-styles and wild consumerism are seriously putting our planet's environmental stability at risk.

As “citizens of the world”, we have a responsibility.

As Scouts our duty is to actively engage for creating a better world.

Let's be firmly guided by our common Promise and face the future with optimism and courage.
As sisters and brothers, recognising in every human being a friend, whatever her or his beliefs or situation, let's devote all our energies to building Peace.

Eduardo Missoni, Secretary General, World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM)

Jamboree Dreams

On the web...

Almost every day I write on my secret diary something about the Jamboree. I think it will be an exciting experience. In our group we began to talk about the Jamboree almost two years ago. Immediately I liked the idea of taking part in a so huge camp.

We kept a big sheet of paper against the wall of our headquarters and everyone who wanted to go to the Jamboree had to write their name on it. Now two of my group are going to the World Scout Jamboree: my friend, Lorenzo, and me.

In my country Scouting is famous. There are many groups in Italy and everyone is doing many activities to celebrate 100 years of Scouting. For example, in many cities in Italy the mayor nominates some streets with the name “Robert Baden Powell”. Then, on a Sunday of May, every group did in his own city many activities in which many non Scout children (but also adults) took part. We organised games, competitions, music, dance and also an exhibition. Furthermore, the Scouts who will not come to the Jamboree will be in contact with the camp thanks to the media.

There are many things that make me look forward to the Jamboree. First of all, being a girl Scout is one of the things I love the most. I’ve been a girl Scout since 1999. At the end of my first Saturday afternoon with my group I was already loving it. I said my promise and I’m still glad to be a girl Scout. The last years were really thrilling for me.

Now I notice that I begin to become enthusiastic over my new Scout experience. I’m really looking forward to the Jamboree… I think I’m very lucky to take part in it. One of the things that convinced me to go to the Jamboree is friendship: in fact one of the best virtues of the boy Scout is his friendship. I will have the opportunity to make new friends from all over the world. But sometimes I’m a bit shy. Maybe this Jamboree will help me to make new friends without hesitation.

Then, I think the Jamboree will be special for its activities. That’s the second big camp I’ll take part in: three years ago I took part in a National Camp and I made lots of new friends. If I imagine the Jamboree, I think about that wonderful National Camp with its hundreds of tents and thousands of Scouts. There is only a difference: the Jamboree will be even bigger and unique. It will be like visiting the world staying in the same place! I’ve never met scouts from other countries before… I’m sure it will be exciting!

When I was asked if I would like to be a young correspondent, I immediately wanted to. I really like writing: I keep a secret diary (I have already written 21 books!) and I gained my Scout Patent in Journalism. “So why not to be a young correspondent?”, I said. I’m sure it will be nice to write for the Jamboree newspaper.

Chiara F, Young Correspondent, Italian Contingent.

Friday the 27th of July 2007

UK Participants Arrive.
Yesterday saw the UK participants arrive on the site. And yes it was chucking it down. But in true Scouting style the young people pitched their tents with not a care in the world. There was an evening welcome party which saw acts like the Liberty X and Le’mar. A great way for the UK Contingent to get ready for the rest of the World when they arrive today.

The World In My Pocket

After four weeks of ‘build’, the Jamboree site is starting to come to life. Scouts from all over the World are making their way to Hylands Park to be part of the International Service Team for the 21st World Scout Jamboree.

Four weeks ago Hylands Park was just like any other public park, a quiet haven for dog walkers and family picnics. As people walked their dogs on those late June evenings, they probably didn’t appreciate what their park would be transformed into over the coming weeks.

After many years of meetings and planning, the time finally came for the Big Build to commence.
The Jamboree Build Team (JBT) ‘hit’ Hylands Park to start the immense task of building our Jamboree town on Saturday 30th June. Ever since it's been a fantastic experience, as buildings and services were put into the site to make life as welcoming as possible for the young people who are crossing the globe to attend the world’s largest ever World Scout Jamboree.

Building was an international affair during the Build period thousands of volunteers arrived to help with the construction process. Even this was a truly international affair - Scout Leaders came from as far as southern Chile and Australia to help with the Build. There is even one remarkable team of volunteers walking from Serbia, just to be part of the event.

I remember early in week one, we stopped off at the Adult Camping Area to witness the first marquee being erected. It was raining and quite windy on the field and as we stood there talking about the layout of the Island Hub, it was hard to imagine the transformation that this empty field would undergo over the coming weeks. Now, four weeks later, our Jamboree town is near complete and as the sea of tents continues to grow, it is warming to think that as I sleep after another day's end, I do so with the World in my Pocket.

Good News!

Each morning after breakfast Paul Walker holds a short team briefing to rally the troops. This morning he announced to the build team that HRH Prince William and The Duke of Kent will be attending the Jamboree Opening Ceremony!

This is great news for the Jamboree and you can see it all on the Community Channel (see below!)

Live on the Telly...

I've lifted this from the Community Channel website...

http://www.communitychannel.org/content/view/1486/75

Scouts from nearly every country in the world come together between 27 July and 8 August to celebrate the 21st World Scout Jamboree and the movement's Centenary.

Some 40,000 Scouts will camp, live and work together at Hylands Park in Chelmsford for 12 days of celebration.

On 1st August Scouts in the UK and 28 million scouts worldwide will mark the dawn of a new century of scouting.

On Brownsea Island where scouting began, two representatives from each national scouts organisation - some 300 people - will renew their promise to scouting.

Community Channel presents live coverage of the key events of the jamboree, and will also broadcast regular updates from Mon 30 July.

The broadcast schedule is as follows:

Saturday 28 July: Opening Ceremony LIVE from Hylands Park at 1.30 pm
Transmission 1.15 - 2 pm (45 minute window) (on Sky and Virgin Media)

Mon - Fri 30 July - 3 Aug: Daily 10 Minute News Updates at 07.30 - 07.45 am (on Freeview, Sky and Virgin Media)

Wednesday 1 August: Sunrise Ceremony LIVE from Brownsea Island at 8 am
am Transmission time: 07.45 - 08.30 am (45 minute window) (on Freeview, Sky and Virgin Media)

(Note: Times of repeat transmissions of the recorded live coverage will be advised)

Where Can I Watch?
Community Channel is broadcast 24 hours a day on Sky 539, Virgin TV 233. The Channel is also on Freeview 87 from 6am to 9am, everyday.

All Going to Plan

Everything is coming up roses!

It's been another busy weekend at Hylands Park. Over the last couple of days 'hundreds' of people came along to volunteer their services to help the Jamboree site grow.

Teams of people worked together to packed patrol boxes, erected fencing, put up fiesta tents, worked on plumbing and run electric supplies.

The adult camping areas are final mapped out and yesterday I spent the afternoon planning out the work of the last 5 days on the laptop.

On Saturday morning a large team from Scotland erected a marquee know as 'the kross' it was amazing each member of the 30 or so strong team busily ran around putting various parts of the tent in position. it took them three hours to erect it! Three hours to put up a tent I hear you cry..! Believe me, this tent is huge.

Square Dancing..!

WOW... What a week!

I just don't know where the time has gone! These last 7 days have been a whirlwind of activity...

Last Friday was the first night that the Build Team camped on the adult sub-camp. In the morning we put up our tents, it was very, very windy but we managed between us.

Martyn, Brian and I have mainly spend the week on the Island Hub and adult camping area.

It has taken us nearly a week to mark out the team camping squares on the adult camping field and in between be have started to build the areas in the Support Centre.

More and more people are joining the build now, with Scouts from around the globe joining the team. Teams 'muster' outside the restaurant at 8:30am each morning with people lining-up to work in teams to link fencing around the site, pitch festia tents, pack patrol boxes, the list is endless. In the evening, after a productive day round the site, teams return to join together for a well earned meal and a little social time.

The restaurant is steadily rising from the ground and from the floor footprint alone you can tell its going to be an awesome sight.


I just can't express how much fun each day brings. Its hard work, rewarding and a fantastic experience. I wouldn't like to guess how many kilometers we have walked marking out the adult camping area.

Standing at the top end of the sub-camp looking down on the Island Hub and the area where the Build Team is camping, it's hard to imagine that in just over a weeks time adult volunteers from all around World will be living in harmony on this field in preparation for the participants arrival.

I'll write again soon!

Block Party!

Wednesday...

We bumped into Pete first thing this morning... He was pushing a bin. We said good morning and he said, "if I had a step ladder I'd get in!"


We had a very productive day today. Work has started on the Elements activity field, tents are been erected a bock of toilets had been delivered and the whole field needs to be fenced off.


Martyn and I spent the day distributing the rubber block feet that the fence panels sit in around the edge of the activity area. Our first load of blocks were placed in a small Transit van. At the other end we had to 'man handle' them off the van and put them in a tidy pile! That was the only time we did that!

We swapped the Transit for a flatbed truck and had four loads loaded onto it. When we got to the field we distributed the blocks about four feet apart around the edge of the field, a much easier way of doing it and a time saver for the fencing team!


Friday we move to site so I don't know when the next gripping installment of this blog will be. As soon as we get electricity and an internet connect onto the adult hub I'll get right on to it. I'm guessing that will be about a week away, I'm sure that the photos will show you a much more developed Jamboree site then!

Busy doing something....

Day two is under the belt!

As soon as we got to site the first person we bumped into was Peter Morrell! We always seem to have a nack of Peter being the first person we meet wherever we go.

We were soon allocated a task: taking a 7.5 ton lorry to Warren Farm storage facility to start the big move of equipment to the Jamboree warehouse. Needless to say that as soon as James started to load the lorry with the forklift it started to chuck-it down.

The ground underfoot at Hylands Park is starting to get interesting... Martyn compared it to the conditions at the Somme, to which I replied that unlike him I wasn't there (",)

The world’s largest voluntary construction project

Over the weekend the first tent pegs were driven into the ground at Hylands Park, Chelmsford. The construction of the huge tented city that will house 40,000 young people from almost every country on earth has begun. The tents and buildings being put up this weekend are the first of 20,000. Combined these will create a home from home for young people from over 180 countries who will be attending the 21st World Scout Jamboree.

Over the next month, many other buildings and services will be put into the site to make life as welcoming as possible for the young people who are crossing the globe to attend the world’s largest ever Scout Jamboree.

Work will take place between now and the opening ceremony on the 28 July to construct stages, accommodation areas, a hospital and the largest temporary eating area in Western Europe, capable of accommodating and, more importantly, feeding 8,000 volunteer staff. Neil, a young person who will be attending the Jamboree, said ‘It’s difficult to imagine that this green parkland will be teeming with people from all over the world in just a few short weeks’.

During the Build period thousands of volunteers will arrive to help with the construction process. Even this is a truly international affair, with Scout Leaders coming from as far as southern Chile and Australia to help with the Build. There is even one remarkable team of volunteers walking from Serbia, just to be part of the event.

Setting up the site needs a wide range of skills; the building team consists of people with all abilities, from professional plumbers, medical practitioners to energetic Explorer Scouts ready to help. By the end of the preparations, the 574-acre area will be transformed into spectacular home grounds and activity sites for the Scouts. It will be the largest ever volunteer construction project, consisting of more than 8,000 volunteers.

The Jamboree will take the equivalent of 10,000 'person days’ to set up and take down – tasks being done solely by volunteers. Paul Walker is the volunteer responsible for the build phase of the project. He said. ‘The adults we have in Scouting are amazing. Their dedication is allowing this world-class event to take place. We have more participants involved in this event than are attending the 2012 London Olympics.

'The great thing is that while it’s hard work, all the adults involved in the event are really enjoying it. People think volunteering to be part of an event like this means that they have to give up something, but in reality everyone involved is gaining from the experience, which is just what being a Scout Leader is all about’.

Sorting tent poles...

Day one is over!

It started a little bit damp and muddy! Martyn and I arrived at Skreens Park Scout Camp Site (where the JBT are bases until they move to Hylands Park this Friday), and booked in. It wasn't the 'hub of activity' I was expecting. A handful of people were being booked in so while we waited I took the opportunity to have the full English breakfast that was on offer!

After registration we made our way to Hylands Park to be greeted by the familiar sight of the warehouse tents. The track way to the warehouse was in the process of being laid although this had been held-up a little by the weather of late and the condition of the ground (mud) under foot.

We made ourselves known to the willing volunteers that where there and had a quick chat with Nigel Hayley. But we were soon assigned a job which involved going to the 'storage facility' at a nearby farm where the site services equipment has been in storage since the end of EuroJam in 2005.

There we spent the rest of the day merrily sorting festia tent components into various stacks ready to move to site for erection. We sorted a fare few, but we didn't make a visible dent in the task as a whole!

Oh too soon it was time to go home (as we have a District meeting tonight.) On the way we stopped off at the adult campsite to witness the first tent (the chillout tent) being erected. It was raining and quite windy on the field and as we stood there talking about the layout of the Hub it was hard to imaging the transformation that this empty field will undergo over the next 3 weeks and the fantastic time we are all going to have in the process of getting it ready for the arrival of the International Service Team!

Role on tomorrow...!

After all this time...

Well, after all the talking and planning it's finally here..!

The Jamboree Build Team (JBT) 'hit' Hylands Park to start the big build tomorrow. Martyn is picking me up at 7am in the morning as we need to be at registration for 9am.

As always this week is a busy week with the monthly District meetings tomorrow night and the County AGM on Wednesday evening. It fits in quite nicely really as the JBT are not camping at Hylands this week so we have decided to commute Monday to Thursday and move to the site on Friday morning where we will camp for 36 nights! I'm sure this blog will be an interesting read over the coming days and weeks!