Dutch Scouts in Rye
Occasion of a Unique Visit
Rye had its own share of entertaining the international scout movement last month. Local scouts played host to a small group from Amsterdam. who were on a week’s visit to this country.
Seven scouts, a leader and a padre—all Venturers—arrived in Rye, where they were shown typical hospitality after a tiring sea and coach trip of twelve hours. Their itinerary was composed of two days at Turner’s Wood, Beckley, two days at Hastings, at Friary’s Hill, Guestwell, and a final stay at the Gilwell Permanent Scout Encampment, South Essex.
After accommodation had been arranged by the Rev. John Williams the scouts were shown over Rye by senior local members of the movement. They were particularly impressed with the old town and environs. The boys, who could nearly all speak very reasonable English, spent time looking over the Parish Church (where they snapped the view from the steeple) the cobbled streets, castle and river. Their meticulous encampment, high standard of organisation and ability to cook a reasonable camp meal drew praise and comment from many who visited them.
Highlight of their stay was a camp-fire for the host units. This—on Tuesday, July 9th— was immensely successful. Scouts from Rye, Brede and Northiam attended. Food was prepared by traditional continental methods and accounted delicious. Songs were sung in both languages and much knowledge transfused about both nations and scouting organisations. It was with some melancholy that the visitors finally moved on, many new friends having been made.
“Rye’s Own” August 1968
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