Gilwell Reunion
Friends of Scouting in Europe has traditionally had a presence at the Gilwell Reunion as a base to provide information about the European Scout Foundation and its programme, about Friends of Scouting in Europe (FOSE), and potentially encourage attendees to donate to FOSE.
Our Information Stand was located in the International Zone and was staffed all day Saturday and 9-12 on Sunday. We were delighted to have assistance from existing and new Friends, but it is a difficult ‘sell’ to recruit new Friends when the majority of participants are seeking for support and ideas.
We were happy to be able to hold a reception in the Betty Clay Library, giving us a discrete venue. Information was carried on the App which supported the Reunion, and we were packed out! General updates were provided and we were able to have a brief update on some happenings in the World and UK Scouting.
We congratulated Craig Turpie, Deputy UK Chief Volunteer, on the award of the Bronze Wolf for outstanding service to World Scouting, the presentation taking place in Cairo at the recent World Scout Conference.
We congratulated UK Scouts on the successful bid to host the next World Scout Conference in 2027. The final venue will be decided in agreement with WOSM, but two potential venues – the Excel Centre and Olympia – were included in the proposal.
We were also joined by other family members – Bill, her husband, Robin, her brother, Annarella, her niece and, not least, her cousin, the current Lord Baden-Powell, or Dave, as he prefers who gave an appreciated short speech lauding ‘short speech’.
We welcomed the membership of Scouts of Albania to WOSM and recognised that there have been many relationships between Scouts in the UK and Albania. This is a new start and this reminder was provided by Lars Kramm, previous Chair of the European Committee and currently Squirrel leader in Yorkshire.
Friends (FOSE) updates
The Board continues with its development plan. Part of this is the introduction in 2025 of revised donation structure for FOSE – Annual (to EUR200), Life (to EUR 2500) and Reef Knot (to EUR 5000). Donations up till 31 December 2024 will apply the old rates. In due course, FOSE UK will update the levels of subscriptions to convert at an appropriate rate for 2025 to £ sterling.
ESF’s new website is being developed to make it easier to report on supported projects, to encourage donations and generally more information from European Scout Foundation work.
ESF Projects
Contributions have been made to refurbish a campsite in Poland so that they are better equipped to host Scouts, particularly from Ukraine.
Support continues to facilitate Ukrainian Scouts to take part in camps in other parts of Europe including Poland, Slovakia, Estonia, UK, and at Roverway in Poland.
Other supported projects are:
- Scout Hut Revitalisation: Preserving the Past, Building the future and Enhancing our Hygiene at our Scout House in North Macedonia,
- New Home for our growing Scout Community in Hungary,
- Scouts podcast and common space in Serbia
- Boosting local growth through upgrading the Obrenoval Scout Centre in Serbia,
- Growing up together in our neighbourhood and Scouting camping site in Gornji Grad in Slovenia.
Annual / Life and Reef Knot Donations
In the UK we are pleased to have received a donation of £5,000 from a Friend’s Trust.
We had one Reef Knot upgrade from David Wraight from Kent during the Reception.
We had one life membership from Anne Whiteford from Edinburgh in the week of Reunion.
and 27 Annual Friends in the UK. With more than 50 attendees, we were happy to have had such a packed reception. Of particular note was the participation of Lord David (delete Dave) Baden-Powell, Gill and Bill Clay, Robin and Annarella Prime and we were happy that Craig Turpie wishes FOSE well as he spoke of his commitment to ensuring Scouting continues to be a force for the good, in the UK and across the entire world.
Communications
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Together, we can continue to make a positive impact on the Scouting community. Wishing you all successful and inspiring Scouting for young people. Thank you for your dedication to the European Scout Foundation’s mission.