Upchurch Scout Group - Weekend Trip to Belgium 2018

Day 1 - Saturday May 5th

Click photos to enlarge

Young people and their leaders met early on the Saturday morning at Drakes Lodge Scout Hut. Their coach left at 6:30am for the Eurotunnel Terminal at Folkstone where it boarded Le Shuttle to Calais for their weekend trip to Belgium. Once in France, the journey to the youth hostel in Peerdevisser, Adinkerke went smoothly and they arrived in time to sit out in the sun whilst leaders booked in to the hostel. A quick game of tag and they were on their way again to their first stop.

Sanctuary Wood Museum (Hill 62)

Sanctuary Wood Museum (Hill 62) is a private museum, 1.9 Miles east of Sittingbourne's twinned town of Ypres where a preserved section of the British trench lines still remains today. Even on a very hot day there was still enough mud and water visible for Scouts to appreciate how awful winter conditions must have been for those living in the trenches. Scouts, leaders and their helpers explored the tunnels and looked at the exhibition of original 3D photos, riffles and artillery from The First World War. Then it was back in the coach with not even time for a coffee for the short 15 minute journey to their next stop.

Tyne Cot Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery

Tyne Cot Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery and memorial to the missing is a Commonwealth War Graves Commission burial ground for the dead of The First World War in the Ypres Salient on the Western Front. It is the largest Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery in the world. What a surprise to find a bagpipe player piping everybody in. The pipers had visited 18 cemeteries and had 2 more to play at that day! Another surprise was to find several volunteers there all helping visitors to find names and information of fallen family members. Tyne Cot volunteers helped Scouts find the names etched on memorial plaques to 2 Upchurch First World War victims. Another 15 minute drive and Scouts arrived at their next stop.

Langemark German War Cemetery

In stark contrast to Tyne Cot was the Langemark German War Cemetery. More than 44,000 soldiers are buried there. The village was the scene of the first gas attacks by the German Army in the western front, marking the beginning of the Second Battle of Ypres in April 1915. Yet another surprise! Scouts met some archaeologists who are, even now digging up bodies in a nearby field. They showed Scouts photos and gave them information about their excavation. By now, everyone was feeling a little bit hungry so they made the next short drive to Ypres.

Menin Gate

The Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing is a war memorial in Ypres, dedicated to the British and Commonwealth soldiers who were killed in the Ypres Salient of The First World War and whose graves are unknown. The memorial is located at the eastern exit of the town and marks the starting point for one of the main roads out of the town that led Allied soldiers to the front line. Designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield and built and maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, the Menin Gate Memorial was unveiled on the 24th of July 1927.

Fed and watered, Scouts walked through the arch ready for the daily "Last Post Ceremony" which takes place every evening at 8:00pm. Buglers from the Last Post Association sounded the Last Post and standing behind servicemen and fire fighters, 3 Scouts were given the great opportunity and honour of laying a wreath on behalf of Upchurch Scout Group and Upchurch village. Accompanied by a choir from Korea and some bagpipe players with flags of the Red Cross flying as an escort, the Scouts made their leaders feel very proud indeed. The sun was still shining as Scouts left Ypres to return to the hostel. At last a cup of tea. Scouts went to bed, time to relax!

Day 2 - Sunday May 6th

Plopsaland De Panne

Plopsaland De Panne is a theme park located near the town of De Panne on the Belgian coast. Sunday at 6:00am and Scouts were up bright and early learning a new card game whilst still trying to be quiet! Not easy when you get excited. Breakfast eaten and lunch made, and it was off again to the local theme park, Plopsaland. So many fears were overcome by so many during the day, including some Leaders! Upside down, round and round, wet and breath taken, the day drew to an end. Which ride to finish off with was the dilemma. Would it be the Anubis, Super Splash, Heidi, The wooden Roller Coaster or the Big Wave or even the Dragon? the Group split. One group went in one direction, and one in the other. Adrenaline satisfied it was time to board the coach again for the trip home.

The Scouts were all so good that their coach arrived home 2 hours early!

And the Scouts verdict...

“The best weekend ever”

Thanks to Julia Richardson for her write up of the weekend and members of the Scout Group for the Photos. Click photos to enlarge.

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