Template:Courier-OCT-25-27
SCOUT BAND DOES CLAYGATE PROUD AT MENIN GATE
Members of the Claygate Scout Group were kept busy during the school summer holidays. visiting Cornwall and Dorset for environmentally friendly adventures.
The Explorer Scouts went to Cornwall, staying at West Coombe National Trust's remote coastal camp site, where they enjoyed an exciting time walking along the beautiful coastline. The young people and adults are especially keen to undertake activities with a low level Impact on the environment, often making rough camp (in the countryside) or sleeping out in bivvies (small tents or shelters) under the stars. The group endured a little rain, but the weather was generally kind.
Highlights of the week included coasteering along the stunning South Cornwall coast, as well as a few trips to local villages and beaches to soak up the summer atmosphere.
In late July, the Scout Troop travelled to Buddens Activity Centre near Wareham in Dorset for its annual summer camp. The Scouts took part in a wide range of activities, including kayaking, climbing, zipwire, archery, and raft-building. Each day, they chopped wood and cooked their meals over open fires.
The programme also included excursions to Brownsea Island, the location for Robert Baden Powell's first Scout Camp, and the Tank Museum, as well as an eight-mile hike through the surrounding countryside. With a week of fine weather, the Scouts thoroughly enjoyed an action-packed and memorable camp.
At the end of the summer holidays, the 1st Claygate Scout and Guide Band travelled to Belgium to perform at a ceremony at the Menin Gate in Ypres in memory of all Allied soldiers who died in the Ypres Salient during the First World War.
Every evening at 8pm, buglers of the Last Post Association play their simple but moving tribute to the fallen. On this evening, the Claygate band was allowed to join the event, marching through the streets of Ypres to the Menin Gate and performing music under its magnificent arches during the service.
Robin Wilkinson, Band Leader, said: "It was such an honour for the band to be allowed to take part in this moving ceremony. Watched by large crowds, the band's performance was emotional and memorable, including performing a piece composed specially for the occasion by one of our adult leaders in the band, Michael Davies, in memory of both his grandfathers who fought at Ypres in the War."
The response to the band's performance from those watching the ceremony was warm and enthusiastic. But perhaps more importantly, the impact of the occasion on the young members of the band was significant an event they will remember for many years. Robin added: "Claygate can be proud of the band's contribution to such an important event."
The band's weekend in Belgium also include two concerts, one in Ypres town square and one at the bandstand in Ostend, both of which were very well received by large, enthusiastic audiences.
