When You Go Home, Tell Them Of Us And Say, For Their Tomorrow, We Gave Our Today.

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month 1918 World War 1 ceased and 100 years have since passed.

It is said that a country's ceremonial culture says a great deal about them and with this in mind, to respect and honour the historic 100th year anniversary of the end of World War 1 the 1st Watton at Stone Cubs are working diligently to give a once in a life time opportunity for Cubs to take part in a programme of memorial events in Ypres, Belgium.

Throughout the trip Cubs will embody the scouting fundamental values of integrity, care, co-operation, respect and belief in self. Collectively they will gain a unique understanding of the ultimate sacrifices made for our way of life today and individually honour and pay tribute to those who died during WW1 and WW2.

The trip will be educational, thought provoking, emotional and humbling. It will most definitely bring history books alive and give a first-hand experience of what our ancestors went through. It will run between the 8th and 12th of November.

During the trip children will have several opportunities to let of steam, enjoy their freedom and even take part in a Belgium chocolate tasting event. All supervised of course!

Within our Cub group the ethos is to present children with as many opportunities as possible to develop life skills while having fun. Camaraderie, kinship, a sense of togetherness, unity and belonging are but a few outcomes and may generate life long memories and many friendships. This trip presents the opportunity to build and develop all of these.

In the meantime we are exploring all fund raising opportunities in an attempt to further reduce the cost of the trip. We wish to make it accessible to as many children and adults as possible.

Event itinerary and general notes:

Accommodation local scout youth hostel in Ypres

Tour guide and qualified Youth Support Worker

Cubs will be taking part in the Last Post Ceremony at The Menin Gate

Belgium chocolate tasting event

Bush tucker trial

Poppy scout scarf and woggle

Take part in the service at Menhim gate

Day tour exploring the Battlefields around Ypres including Hooge Crater Museum, Military Hospital, Hill 60, grave of one of the youngest persons to die in WW1, adopt a soldier a project where each child is given a fallen soldiers grave to visit and commemorate, Lange mark German Cemetery and Tyne Cot cemetery, Passchendaele museum.

Dunkirk battlefields

Trip to the Somme and Arras

Flanders Field Museum and Belfry

Phrases and reflective poetry...

Never was so much owed by so many to so few Winston Churchill

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning. We will remember them Robert Laurence Binyon

In Flanders Fields, by John McRae

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

Other fund raising events:

A special 23 mile sponsored bike ride challenge from the Olympic park in London to Hertford was held on Saturday the 8th of September.

Any donation you can offer however small will make a great difference to the event.