Danish Scouts Visit

A party of 35  Scouts from Tonder, Denmark joined members of 1st Hemyock Scout Troop for  a six day camp at Caddihoe Scout Camp at Ashclyst Forest where they enjoyed glorious weather. A number of activities were enjoyed on camp plus a visit to Woodlands Adventure Park whilst parents were welcomed one evening when they were able to meet the visitors who would be enjoying home hospitality after the camp.

On returning to Hemyock the first day was spent  enjoying getting to know each other and catching up on lost sleep!. Saturday saw the group of around 70  enjoying a walk from Churchinford to Churchstanton where they enjoyed a display of bell ringing, which the older Scouts were able to practice, before returning to Hemyock.
 
The Danish flag flew from the tower and a  message in both languages welcomed the youngsters and their leaders to St Mary's church when, after parading through the village,they joined the congregation for a special service led by Rev David Sherwood parts of which were bi- lingual. During the service Julie Betteridge on behalf of the Hemyock group made a presentation of Leadership Beads from Brownsea Island, where the first scout camp with founder Robert Baden-Powell had taken place, to Danish leader Kirsten Ellekjaer. Julie had learnt Danish for her speech in which she said that normally the Beads were only presented to English scouts and special permission had been granted in recognition of Kirstens dedication to scouting which spanned over 55 years.
Following the service the families enjoyed a barbeque and games at Longmead Field.
 
A trip to Paignton Zoo was enjoyed on Monday with a variety of Scouting activities round Hemyock  on Tuesday. The traditional farewell evening saw the parish hall decked out with Danish flags and following the visitors entertainment and presentation everyone was able to sample a selection of Danish food and drink.
 
It is now 38 years since the link with Tonder began and as the Friendship and Friends booklet distributed for this camp says 1972 was the first time boys and girls from Scouts had been allowed to camp together. Reading through the friendships history it says that apart from joint meetings the two groups have enjoyed international camps with numbers up to 23,000, visits from Royal Marines via parachutes, Welsh mountains, Baltic islands and meeting HRH Prince Edward. They have experienced extremely hot weather, floods, knee deep mud, thunderstorms and illness but as an past member of the Hemyock group has said "Once you are a Scout you can cope with anything"
 
Wednesday saw the Danish party depart with a number of tears shed as once again friendships had been rekindled and new ones forged.
 
Janice Bawler

Photos  - which may be of interest
 
1. Parading to St Mary's - flag bearers  Charlie Greening (Union flag)  and Johanne Bogh (Danish flag)
2. At the church service
3. Presentation of Leadership Beads to Kirsten Ellekjare (in blue) by Julie Betteridge
4. Danish Scouts entertainment during farewell evening
5. Danish Scouts entertainment during farewell evening
6. Presentation of gifts to Group Scout Leader John Northam aka Rikki by Kirsten Ellakjaer