Scouts venture abroad

Scouts have returned from a two-week trip to the Czech Republic where they shared a part of Nottinghamshire’s heritage with the locals.

Members of the 6th, 7th and 9th Newark Scout groups, along with the 1st Balderton and 1st Norwell Scouts, dressed as Robin Hood for two English days held during the trip.

They were joined by the Czech Scouts with whom they camped.

The deputy team leader, Mr Rodney Cousins, said they took costumes with them for the days, which involved the Scouts demonstrating archery, how to make bows and arrows, and cooking over an open fire.

He said they chose to dress as Robin Hood because he was well known, and because they were camping on the edge of a forest.

The 28 visiting Scouts and their nine leaders presented 50p pieces, minted to mark the centenary of the Scouting movement last year, to the two groups they camped with — the Planany and Ratbor Scout groups.

More than 200 coins were collected after the Scouts made an appeal in the Advertiser.

The coins were presented in commemorative folders.

The Newark district Scouts flew to Prague on July 27 and stayed at a campsite 40 miles south east of the capital, near the River Sazavou in the region of Bohemia.

They then moved to another camp about 20km away for the second week.

During the trip they met the mayors of both Planany and Ratbor.

Other activities throughout the week included rafting along the River Sazavou and visiting a national park and a silver mine.

There was even adventure on the return home when the Scouts’ plane from Prague was delayed for 15 hours.

The leaders decided to run a programme of activities to keep the group occupied, including singing a couple of traditional Scout songs.

They also took the opportunity to present Emma Wright (12) of the 6th Newark Sea Scouts with her Chief Scout Award.

Mr Cousins said Emma had not been able to receive the award before the trip and they had not had time to present it while they were away, so they gave her the certificate at the airport.

The first exchange trip with the Czech Republic Scouts was in 1994, and they are held every two years.

Mrs Val Spyve, the team leader, said they were already looking forward to the Czech Scouts visiting Newark.