Norfolk County Fellowship - Dan Gentle

Norfolk County Fellowship provides a membership vehicle for those who are active in adult support roles within the county, for example chairmen, treasurers, legal adviser and other members in a wide variety of roles. Members have taken part in a variety of activities throughout the year, some of which are regular events and some particular to the Centenary celebrations.

The 21st World Scout Jamboree involved ten of our members at Hylands Park, in the UK pavilion, as sub-camp staff and as organisers of the Reunion 57 event for those who were at the Sutton Park Jamboree. A kneeler made by one member to commemorate this event is now in St Mary's Church Brownsea. In addition to their duties within the Pavilion the Norfolk Team were responsible for catering at various evening receptions, and helped to prepare items such as the fifty foot high model of Big Ben before the event. Altogether Jamboree activities absorbed 25 nights and days of the year, but it was an experience not to be missed!

We have been active at all the special Centenary events arranged at County level, for example providing receptions and refreshments at the Centenary services held in Norwich Cathedral and in Kings Lynn, and providing assistance and catering for events held on the Royal estate at Sandringham. These events included the unveiling of a village sign by Prince Philip, which was carved by one of our members, a King's and Queen's Scouts reception, and planting of trees by the Woodland Trust and Norfolk Scouts. Other events to mark 2007 included a planting of a 'Fleur-de-lis' in Norwich Castle gardens, a new sign for the Two Mile Bottom campsite and various District Centenary Camps.

Many annual county events required our active involvement. Public events such as the Scout and Guide stand at the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Show, 'Spring Fling' - a one day youth event, and a two day publicity event in Norwich City Centre have required build time, as well as manpower on the days themselves. The Fellowship have also provided assistance or catering for anything up to 350 people at County receptions recognising growth made by Groups and sections, and for young people achieving top awards in their Scouting progress. Help is also provided for the St Georges Day dinner, the County mail run and the retired Scouters' coffee morning.

On the more social side members have enjoyed a post Christmas meal, a lunch and historic tour of Kings Lynn in the Summer, a joint County Trefoil and Fellowship campfire at our shared County campsite and attendance at the Gilwell Reunion, albeit working on the Live 07 stand! Several members went on the County adult outing to Luxembourg for four days in October and were also in attendance at the Windsor and local St George's Day parades.

On top of all this we have been pleased to be able to provide catering assistance on eleven occasions at charity events around the county. This involved such diverse things as a garden party at a stately home and a mock trial for 100 senior school pupils at Norwich Magistrates courts.

2007 took us on a roller coaster ride to many events - some major, some run of the mill; many locations - some exotic, some not so. It has provided us with many highs, many new faces, a lot of fun and yes, some long and tiring days. We feel privileged to have played a full part in our Scouting Centenary.