Press Releases Archive

02/06/2005

Chief Scout - Peter Duncan's Whirlwind Delivery to Brownsea

Today Peter Duncan Chief Scout was at the centre of the action once again when he delivered a giant container of camping equipment to Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour, Dorset, with the help of he RAF. Brownsea was the site of the first ever experimental Scout camp in 1907. The first Chief Scout Lord Baden Powell orignally visited the island as a boy in a small open boat. Things have moved on in the last 100 years and this time Peter Duncan and the container of camping equipment arrived courtesy of a Chinook Helicopter from RAF’s 27 squadron from RAF Odiham. Peter returned to Poole in a Sunseeker 72 Predator power launch.

Brownsea Island is now owned and managed by the National Trust and this summer more than a thousand Scouts and Guides from around the world will camp on the island. The highlight of the event will be “Brownsea Reloaded” an international camp from the 1 st to 4 th August, which will combine the best that Scouting can offer today with some activities from the past. Those attending this camp will be linked with over 10,000 Scouts and Guides who will be attending EuroJam - the biggest European Scout and Guide event in Europe for ten years, which is taking place at Hyland Park in Essex.

Being a Scout is all about adventure,” said Peter Duncan. He added, “That’s why Scouting is a million times bigger than when it started. It has grown from twenty boys camping on Brownsea Island to 28 million girls and boys around the world today. Those young people who visit the Island this summer will have the time of their lives. They will have a chance to try out canoeing, sailing, rafting, tracking and take part in global development workshops. We are very grateful to the RAF for their help in setting up this activity. Without their support we simply could not have moved all the equipment on to the island, as there are no roads or landing stages near the original Scout campsite. Helicoptering in the equipment was the only choice”

“This is an important event in the Scouting calendar and we are happy to help set it up” said a spokesperson for the RAF. They added, “In any case this sortie is providing the crew with some valuable training”

Simon Lee, National Trust property manager for Brownsea Island, said, “We are delighted to be working with the Scouts and playing our part in keeping the Islands historical links with the Scouting Movement. A key part of our work on Brownsea Island is to help more young people experience the magic of Brownsea and the Scout camps taking place this summer fit within that ethos”. Brownsea Island is owned and operated by the National Trust. The Trust welcomes the general public to the island.

For further information please contact Simon Carter on 07889 130812 simon.carter@scout.org.uk