To return to Scouts front page, CLICK HERE

Rochford Scouts - August 2018

(Hosting the Canadians)    

Top of Page

4th Rochford Scouts Welcome Canadian Scouts!!! Thursday 9th August 2018

The 4th Rochford Scout Hall has been holiday accommodation to some very special visitors all week!!! A Group of 18 Canadian Scouts (aged 8-18) & Leaders have been bedding down at the Hall since last Sunday! After having 2 weeks of fantastic weather, the heavens opened up on the evening that the 4th Rochford laid on a special welcoming BBQ to their Canadian friends, so that some of the children could get to know one another! The rain didn't dampen any spirits though and it was a wonderful evening with an indoor BBQ, with fun games for the kids! Also, group scarves, badges & souvenirs were exchanged between International friends .

3 Groups from Canada got together to come on a 2 week trip to the UK. They are Scouts from 16th Brampton, 1st Williamsburg & 5th Tillsonburg from Southern Ontario!  They spent one week at Newbury in Berkshire at a Scout Jamboree, then came to explore Rochford, as one Leader, Bob Anderson was born at Rochford Hospital and grew up in Rochford. He went to Rochford Primary School, followed by a temporary school, eventually going to Southend High School for Boys, until he emigrated to Canada with his parents aged 15. His Mother was a Maid at one of the Cottages by the Rochford 100 Golf Course and Bob recalled that he used to regularly play in the grounds of St. Andrew’s Church, climbing trees & scrumping!!!

It was very interesting to learn that they have different group names to the UK though. Rovers (Leaders) Rover Youth (Young Leaders aged 18-25) Senior Explorers (older Scouts aged 15-17) Explorers (Scouts aged 11-14) Timber Wolves (Cubs aged 8-10) Otters (Beavers aged 5-7)  They have all had a wonderful week exploring Rochford & surrounding areas. Bob said that Rochford Square was exactly the same, but looked so much smaller than he remembers in 1965!!! He was unable to find his Grandmother’s gravestone in St. Andrew’s church yard unfortunately though.  The kids all thoroughly enjoyed a walking tour of Rochford, especially seeing   “The Old House” in South Street.

Also, visiting the amusement arcades on Southend Seafront and walking on the Pier was great fun, as the weather has been fantastic for them! They also visited London & Buckingham Palace on the train from Essex.

It was wonderful for some of the 4th Rochford Group to meet and then bid farewell to the Canadian Scouts and friendships have been made for life!