Ottery Scouts ready for new challenges after Holland trip

Ottery scouts are preparing to welcome some new recruits for a new Scouting year and reflect on a successful summer trip to Holland last month

The scouts and explores visited Arnhem to learn about Operation Market Garden, to secure the bridge in the town during the Second World War.

There were more poignant moments however when the group visited the Arnhem Oosterbeek commonwealth war cemetery where over 1,700 allied servicemen are buried, including those from Devon regiments.

Assistant Scout Leader Bruce Harvey said: “This particular excursion had one of the most powerful effects on the Explorers and Scouts as it brought to reality of war, what was only previously in books or in films.

“Such learning experiences can never be fully realised without walking the ground that was trod by the subjects being studied.”

The group are now back and ready for the new scouting year and there are already plans to take the young people on a back to basics camp at Sidmouth in September, rifle shooting, scuba diving and to the theatre

Group Scout Leader John Green added: “If you thought Scouting was still all about tying knots in bits of string and helping old ladies across the road, you’d be wrong!”