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WEST SOMERSET DISTRICT SCOUTS: Scouting Sunrise Ceremony at Dunkery Beacon

"Scouts celebrate their centenary in beautiful surroundings"

At 8a.m. on Wednesday 1st August, on what must have been one of the finest days of the year so far, Scouts of all ages took part in a "Sunrise Ceremony" on Dunkery Beacon.

All around the world at 8.00 a.m. local time, in 216 countries, 28 million Scouts renewed their Promise and celebrated the first 100 years of the Scout Movement, looking forward to the future. A promise which is as relevant today as it was when it was first written:

"On my honour, I promise to do my best, to do my duty to God and the Queen, to help other people and to keep the Scout Law".

In West Somerset, Scouts young and old, met at Dunkery Beacon for an emotional celebration of the past and future. Over 150 people were on top of Somerset's highest point. The gathering was made up of Scouts from 1st Exmoor, 1st Porlock, 1st Willliton and 1st Watchet groups, members of the Scout Fellowship, two ex-district commissioners (Michael Ireland and Martin Harbourne) and ex Scouts from the 1st Cookham (Berkshire), as did leaders from 1st Street, Bishops Lydeard and Taunton. Cub Scout Sam Burt from Dayton Ohio, a member of 318 troop,Miami Valley Council (U.S.A.) completed a three generation group with his father Martin (ex 1st Exmoor) and grandfather John Burt, a member of the Scout Fellowship.

Other visitors included holiday makers from Newcastle, who were staying in Watchet, and a lady from Durham.

The service was led by Assistant District Commissioner, Stephen Sharp. Prayers had previously been written by George Taylor, District Chaplin, who unfortunately was unable to attend, and read by Scouts. Carys Woodley, Scout Leader from 1st Williton wrote and read a prayer for the future.

Unfortunately the County Commissioner was unable to join the celebration but sent his best wishes, which were conveyed to all by District Commissioner Graham Haw.

During the celebrations, Graham presented two long service certificates to Paul Mote and John Sharp.

The celebrations concluded with Fellowship member Ron Blundell reading Robert Baden-Powell's speech made at the first World Jamboree in 1920.

Afterwards, everyone made their way to the lovely setting of Horner Woods Scout Campsite where leaders and helpers from 1st Porlock had cooked breakfast for everyone.

Thanks must be paid to The National Trust for kindly giving permission to use Dunkery Beacon. Also to Discovery Safaris of Porlock and The National Trust who provided the use of vehicles to ferry people to the top of Dunkery, and to Paul Isles and Mike Leach for making a wooden sculpture of the Scout emblem, to mark the first 100 years of the Scout movement. Last, but not least, thanks to members of 1st Porlock Scout group for all the hard work put into preparing and cooking the delicious breakfast - which was very much appreciated by all.

This event will be remembered by all those attending, and hopefully some of the younger members will be celebrating 150 years of Scouting when they are older.

Written by A.D.C. Stephen Sharp.

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