1st Bougival meet President Macron

June 5, 2022

On Thursday 2nd June 2022 I was one of the very lucky Cubs from 1st Bougival Wednesday Cubs to go to the Queens Jubilee in Paris. There was 15 of us all together - three from each section along with Justin and Fiona. We went on a coach, with us were 15 children from the British School of Paris (BSP). It was a hot and sunny day. It was very warm in our uniform.

Many of the roads had been closed off for the event so the traffic was horrendous. We were dropped off on the Champs Elysees and then we weaved our way through the crowds of people. We showed our tickets and crossed over the road onto the Arc de Triomphe roundabout. This was really cool because usually you have to go under the road, but we could walk where the cars would normally be racing and hooting their horns.

Every evening they re-light the flame at Arc de Triomphe. The event on Thursday was dedicated to the Platinum jubilee celebrations in honour of Queen Elizabeth II. We were surrounded by many different uniforms both French and English. The Ambassador of the United Kingdom, Her Excellency Dame Menna Rawlings, arrived in a Range Rover with a small flag on the bonnet. We had to wait a long time for President Macron to arrive in his Renault! The military bands played both the English and French national anthems.

Our cub leader Raksha (she is also in the RAF) presented a ginormous wreath to President Macron and the Ambassador. After receiving the wreath President Macron and the Ambassador relit the flame, with a golden sword. Then they went around speaking to people who were there including my friend Shaun who shook his hand. President Macron's wife Bridget was really kind and spoke to our Beavers. There was a long wait until it was finished, President Macron went and a while later we went strolling back to the bus and had a safe journey back to BSP.

By Sam Haines

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Vacancy: BSO Youth Team Members

By Theo Lasar • October 22, 2026

Thanks for your interest in becoming the next British Scouting Overseas (BSO) Deputy Youth Lead. This role is focused on empowering young people across our global movement, with a particular focus on driving achievement of Top Awards, empowering youth voices, and translating feedback into structured, practical support across our districts: Northern Europe, Southern Europe, Middle East, Rest of the World and Lone Scouts. If you are 18–25 yrs old, bring a genuine commitment to Scouting and possess the curiosity to explore how young people want their ideas represented and implemented, this position offers a direct opportunity to support youth leadership internationally. What is the BSO Deputy Youth Lead? The BSO Deputy Youth Lead works closely with and supports the BSO Youth Lead to ensure young members across all overseas districts are meaningfully involved in decision-making and supported through their Top Award and shaping their scouting experience. In this role, you will maintain consistent contact with volunteer teams across districts, lead data informed research into award completion & membership, facilitate youth forums, and collaborate with District Youth Leads to understand local operational contexts. Through problem solving and building strong relationships, you will help identify structural and practical barriers to Top Awards and work with the according teams to address them. You will help to expand programme adaptability & growth while implementing the "place to belong" & “skills for life” strategies. Your work will help ensure that youth perspectives actively inform organisational decisions, support executive governance, and ensure Section achievements are consistently recognised across BSO and wider Scouting platforms.

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By Jenny Nixon • September 17, 2026

Do you love camps, adventures and making things happen? Do you enjoy organising activities and events, or have a skill you’d like to share with others? If you answered yes to any of these, we’d love to hear from you! We’re looking for adults to join the Northern Europe Events Team and help us build a permanent support team for adventurous activities and events across the District. Whether you’re an experienced organiser, have a particular skill to share, or simply enjoy getting stuck in and helping others have great experiences, there could be a role for you. The team will support events such as: 🏕️ District camp 🌍 Jamborees ⛺ Moots 🧭 Other adventurous activities and events You don’t need to currently hold a leader role to get involved. We’re especially keen to hear from adults who would enjoy contributing in a support role, bringing their skills, experience and enthusiasm to help our Young People get the most out of their adventures. Interested in finding out more? Contact Jenny Nixon, Northern Europe Programme Team Leader. jenny.nixon@britishscoutingoverseas.org.uk (Know someone who would be perfect for this role? Share this with them!)