1000 Scouts descend on Bedfords Park

Havering Park Ward Councillor, Andrew Mann (Residents Association) was on hand at Bedfords Park last week as almost 1000 scouts from around the world visited as part of the World Jamboree being held at Hylands Park, Chelmsford to carry out environmental community work.

Cllr Mann, who is also a Scout Leader with over 15 years service said "It was fantastic as a local Councillor and a Scout Leader to be invited up to Bedford Park to see the work being carried out by hundreds of young people from around the world"

"As someone that was lucky enough to take part in a World Jamboree myself (in Sydney, Australia, 20 years ago this Christmas) I can understand the energy and commitment these young people have for cleaning up the old walled garden in Bedfords Park, they have done a fantastic job and deserve all the credit, along with Lois Amos and the Friends of the park group and Essex Wildlife Centre for all their work"

Worked carried out by the young people included clearing old scrub and overgrown bushes and trees, clearing the tons of rubbish that had been dumped over the years and recovering any useful bits of old green house and equipment that could be used in the park again.

Approx 150 Scouts from all round the world (the day I was in the park, they were from USA, Italy, Croatia, Brazil, France, Scotland, and many more I did not get to talk to) have been visiting each day and have been working in clearing the old walled garden in the park, doing environmental clean up work and nature walks with Essex Wildlife.