Putting an event together like this takes a lot of planning, a lot of teamwork and a lot of work work. The EIJ Exec Members have been busy planning this event (on and off) for just less than 8 years. So in "Meet the Makers", The River Reader will meet with some of them (the ones we've managed to track down - they're very busy people!) to get an insight into what makes a Jamboree and what makes someone want to put in that type of effort to get there. First up is the Facilities Directorate's Graham Chandler.
Graham joined 1st South Hornchurch Scout Group as a Cub. He stayed in Scouting until life got in the way, but came back when the Scout Troop in his local village - Marks Tey, near Colchester - was at risk of closing. "My son was four or five at the time, and I thought, if the Scout Troop wasn't there then maybe the Beavers wouldn't be around when he was old enough.", he says.
So, starting as an Assistant Scout Leader, he eventually was appointed Assistant Commissioner for Scouts. Having had some experiences on international trips to places like Switzerland, he was chosen as a Unit Leader in the UK Contingent to the 20th World Scout Jamboree in Thailand. "Unfortunately, I had an accident, and had to be medically repatriated!"
Graham's first EIJ was in 2000, in Kirby-le-Soken near the coast. "I lived close by, so I cycled down to the site," Graham laughs, "I was a one man Thunderbird with a tool bag and a bike!".
Graham's background is in construction, before focusing on health & safety, so he has worn those types of hats for EIJ throughout the years. He might have been the sole member of the safety team in those early years, before helping it to grow, so he could return to his beloved facilties team.
Since 2016 Graham has stepped back from a Group role, but, stayed with an Active Support Unit working on supporting big events in the County. The calls to step up for EIJ 2024 came late last year. Working as Jay's Deputy, Graham attends Exec and Safety Team meetings.
As part of the Build Team, Graham knows the location of every pole, post, marquee corner and trackway, mostly because he was there when they were put in place. Landing on site on the 5th of July, Graham says that it's important to "make yourself see the village and sub-camps, to remind yourself, why the hard work is necessary, why we stay up late solving issues.".
When the day comes, not just yet, after EIJ 2024 has been closed, and the fields are restored to their original state, Graham says he's going to spend quality time with his grandkids. "There's six of them," he smiles, "and the eldest is visiting tomorrow!".
If you think you have what it takes to join the 50-60 person Facilities Team (be it in infrastructure, plumbing, carpentry, dry waste, wet waste, electrics, warehouse, or staff catering), Graham says it's the "Camaraderie that makes it!" "Some of us have been together for 20+ years, we've got university lecturers driving tractors pulling brown waste, so you feel like you have to come back to work with great people like them!".
