Denmark, 1946
Theme(s): Flying
High
Section(s): Senior
Section
Decade: 1940s
Location: Denmark
One of the high moments in my life as a Guide was an invitation
to join 19 Guides, Rangers and Cadets from all over Britain to
attend the Danish Girl Guides International Camp at Brahe-Tolleberg
in July 1946.
Our journey to Denmark was via Brussels where we found there was no
train to Copenhagen for two days! Belgian Guides took us to their
homes and lived up to their motto, Soit Prete. We had an enjoyable
time and did not regret our enforced stay.
Eventually we arrived at Odense at 1am and continued by bus to the
Brahe-Tolleberg estate. The Countess welcomed us and kindly
arranged for us to sleep in the castle.
Next morning we were taken to the campsite to be welcomed by some
3000 Danish Guides. We quickly pitched our tents and hoisted the
Union Jack while the entire camp stood to attention. It was rather
embarrassing as we'd brought a small camp flag and the flagstaff
was huge. The flag got the name of the postage stamp!
Mornings were spent in the usual camp routine work. Food was
given out each morning when we got extra rations as Britain was
considered 'Starving Europe'. In the afternoon we visited other
groups who came from Norway, Sweden, Iceland, Estonia, Latvia,
Lithuania and Flensborg. Campfires in the evening were magical!
Flags were displayed on every occasion. I was privileged to
carry the Union Jack on the last evening when the national flags of
the visiting countries and about 100 Danish flags were paraded
round the square of 4000 campers, then advanced up the centre to
the dais where the Chief Guide of Denmark took the salute. This
spectacle proved too much for some members of countries which had
been under occupation and unable to hoist national flags. It made
me so thankful to have been in Britain during the war.
We struck camp and journeyed to Copenhagen where we were
magnificently entertained before coming home.
This experience was the end of my Guide life as I became
Bagheera and then Akela in a Cub Pack. Each Thinking Day Sunday I
am proud to stand and renew my Guide Promise and I am so grateful
to the Guiders who gave me such a good basis in life.
Mrs. Jean Sharp