Surrey Scouts Take Part in International Peace Light Ceremony

Published on: 22 Dec, 2023
Updated on: 22 Dec, 2023

Report by Neil Wibberley, County Media Manager of Surrey Scouts

Representatives from Guildford East joined other Scouters and Scouts from across Surrey, Greater London South West as well as representatives from Ukraine Scouting UK at Bentley Copse Activity Centre in Shere on Wednesday, December 20.

The picture shows lighting lamps at Bentley Copse, Shere, from the flame that has been brought from Austria, via Bethlehem.

They took part in a short ceremony and to light lamps from the flame that has been brought from Austria, via Bethlehem.

Twelve-year old Pillar Jarayseh had lit the Austrian Broadcasting Company – ORF (Linz) peace light in the Grotto of the Nativity in Bethlehem, before passing it to 10-year-old Michael Putz, the 2023 Peace Child, to be flown back to Austria.

However, this year due to the conflict in the Middle East, it was taken to Amman airport in Jordan, where it was handed over to the Peace Child to begin its flight back to Austria as currently there is only limited air traffic allowed in and out of Tel Aviv.

In its 37th year, the Peace Light from Bethlehem campaign was originally organised by the Austrian Broadcasting Company – ORF (Linz).

Since 1986 there has been a great deal of co-operation between Scouts and Guides in many countries, which has allowed the light to travel throughout Europe, and it is now passed to over 30 countries across the world.