A contingent of thirty scouts from Anguilla spent their summer in the United Kingdom from July 17th to August 1st. During this period, the Anguilla Scouts camped in Hatton, Warwickshire, Gilwell Park, an official camping site for Scouts and Guides and on Brownsea Island where the first Scouts’ camp was held in 1907. Visits were also made to several places including Shakespeare’s Stratford-Upon-Avon, The Transport Museum in Coventry, Warwick Castle, Buckingham Palace to witness the changing of the guard, the London Bridge and Tower Bridge, Big Ben and the Cadbury Chocolate Factory in Birmingham. Two days were also spent using the train to get around London. The Scouts also relished the opportunity to attend a reception hosted by the Lord Lieutenant of Warwickshire, and visit the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) to meet with Mr. Tim Foy who was recently sworn in as Governor of Anguilla.
Camping in cold weather and rain was truly a “once in a life-time experience”. The Scouts expressed that they have developed an appreciation for British culture and very quickly had to adapt to living/camping in cold weather conditions. They learnt that life does not stop even when it is raining and that time is important.
The Scouts of Anguilla express sincere gratitude to all who contributed to making their trip a reality: the Government of Anguilla through the Department of Youth and Culture, the Anguilla Social Security Board, the Anguilla Air and Sea Ports Authority, FLOW, the Vestry of St. Mary’s Parish, Mr. John Benjamin, Mr. Fredrick ‘Daddy’ Harrigan, Honorable Curtis Richardson, Mrs. Lorna Rogers, Mr. Warren Buddle, Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Fleming, parents and members of the general public who supported the fundraising events.
– Contributed
