In 1957, H. Porter & Sons’ partner Pat Porter attended the 9th World Scout Jamboree, which attracted tens of thousands of young people from 90 countries to Sutton Park near Birmingham. 

The event holds fond memories for the Porter family – young Pat, as a Guide, witnessed a visit by both Her Majesty The Queen and the then Prime Minister Harold Macmillan. The experience and learning were unforgettable.

It was an honour and a delight, then, to receive an application for support via the John Porter Community Fund from two young Stourbridge Scouts who are planning to attend the 25th World Scout Jamboree in Korea in 2023.  

Mackenzie Bache (pictured right) and George Tombs (below) wrote to us with a funding request and we are delighted to contribute £250 each towards the cost of their trip.   

In response, Mackenzie said the support was a real boost to his international mission. “I’m really pleased to receive the donation to help me attend the World Scout Jamboree in 2023 – it will go a long way in helping me raise the £3,500 needed to attend,” he said.

George added: “I’ve been doing all sorts to raise money so far this year, including making key rings and bracelets for table top sales and doing sponsored sports. I’m really grateful for the additional money from the John Porter Community Fund – it’s brilliant.”

H. Porter & Sons owner and Director Lucy Porter said Mackenzie’s and George’s funding applications had reminded her of the positive impact Scouting can have on young people.

“As causes go, this one is very close to our family’s heart, so we’re absolutely delighted to help these fantastic youngsters realise their dream to take part in this once-in-a-lifetime event. 

“If my mum Pat’s experience of the 9th World Scout Jamboree is anything to go by, I’m sure Mackenzie and George will benefit massively from their attendance and it will inspire them to go on and do great things here in the local community. I look forward to hearing how they get on and wish them every success,” Lucy said.    

Under the theme of ‘Think big. Dream wild. Act together’, the Korean World Scout Jamboree is expected to attract more than 40,000 Scouts from all over the world. 

Taking place every four years, the event is organised by the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) and each time is hosted by a different country. Thousands of UK young people aged 14 to 17, along with their leaders, will visit South Korea as the ‘UK Contingent’.  

The Scout’s website says the event offers participants a chance to “dream about a sustainable world, where everyone’s welcome”, and adds that Scouts want “to see action” and that they won’t “silently creep round global issues”. 

The 9th World Scout Jamboree, attended by Pat Porter, was also known as the Jubilee Jamboree, as it marked the jubilee of the movement and the centenary of founder Lord Baden-Powell, in addition to combining a Scouters’ Indaba and Rover Moot over a 12-day period.

Opened by His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester and closed by the World Chief Guide Olave, Lady Baden-Powell, it was the first Jamboree in England to have its own commemorative postage stamps. The Jamboree is remembered for the way in which people of the UK provided warm and welcoming hospitality to the participants both before and after the event.

Further information about the 2023 Jamboree can be found here.