Thurrock Scouts start building Essex Jamboree
Date posted: 16-08-2012
WORK has begun ahead of the Essex International Jamboree 2012. Volunteers from all corners of the county are starting to build marquees and tents ahead of the UK’s largest Scout and Guide Jamboree this year.
Once completed, the site at Boyton Cross near Chelmsford will become the home to 7,500 Scouts and Guides participant. Half of the total number will be young people from Essex, with the rest descending on England’s newest City from twenty different Countries from right around the world.
The participants will be supported by over 1,500 adult volunteers making the total population of the site approximately the same size as Tiptree; known the world over by the village’s jam factory. Tiptree is claimed to be Essex’s largest village, but between the 18th and 25th August, the Essex International Jamboree will become a village all of its own.
Hundreds of volunteers are already working hard on site, which only a few weeks ago was more of a farmer’s field. They are installing hundreds of meters of water pipes and electricity cables and erecting thousands of square footage of tents and marquees. They will also be building a large stage and arena area where the UK’s best up and coming rap/grime artists, Pro Dot and Lady Leshurr will be exclusively performing to the participants during the week.
The 160 acre site will even have its own post office, supermarket, radio station, hospital, phone boxes and a village green.
Paul Walker, Deputy Jamboree Chief said “The Jamboree will provide the 7,500 young people the opportunity to create friendships, share in the cultures of Scouts and Guides from around the world and enjoy outdoor adventurous activities in a totally unique setting. The build period for the Jamboree is starting this week, but at the moment it is a green field. We have to install all of the electrics, water supply, toilets, site infrastructure, climbing towers and all of the other activities. Once the site is built and everyone is here, it will have a population the same size of Tiptree making it Essex’s largest village for a week!”
He went on to add “Between now and the opening ceremony the Guides and Scouts are making friendship gifts, which will have their names on it. The idea is that they will swap these around at the Opening Ceremony and then they will have all week to try to track down who it was that made the gift.”
George Hughes, 21, a Scout Network Member from Vange said his volunteer role “involves making all wooden
items, that aren’t pre-manufactured, at the Jamboree. Last time round we made shelving, duck-boards, trellises and even laid the floor of the supermarket. We’re anticipating similar requests for this Jamboree.
Freya, aged 10, a Scout from 1st Steeple Bumpstead Scout Group said “I’ve never been to a Jamboree so this will be my first. This camp is going to top all the other camps I’ve been on. I’m really really excited about meeting people from different Countries. It’s going to be awesome!”
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