Leading the pack at the jamboree

The Bedfordshire contingent triumphed from the outset when they claimed the title as the fastest UK unit to set up camp.

They have made their base alongside an amazing 40,000 other scouts from around the world. They are staying on a 12 square mile old airfield near to Kristianstadt in Sweden.

Biggleswade explorer scout, James Jackman, said: “I got off the coach and I was stunned by the sheer size of the site.

“It stretched for miles. There are tents and people from every corner of the globe. It’s an amazing sight.”

Several VIPs have already visited the jamboree, including king of Sweden, Carl Gustaf XVI, and the UK chief scout, Bear Grylls.

Biggleswade scout leader, Nick Gurney, also travelled to Sweden to visit the youngsters.

Activities so far have included diverting streams, building dams and trying out other environmental experiments.

James Jackson added: “The ideas were good. They really helped us to understand how we were affecting the world and what we could do to improve things.”

To read the full story see the Biggleswade Chronicle of Friday, August 5.