PETERSFIELD area Scouts and leaders have joined thousands of others from around the world for the 2015 World Scout Jamboree in Japan.

Themed Scout jamborees are hosted by different countries every four years.

This year’s at Kirarahama is the 23rd and has as its theme A Spirit of Unity. It is being attended by more than 30,000 Scouts and 4,000 leaders.

Petersfield District Commissioner Mark Knowles, of Stafford Road in Sheet, cub leader Clive Essex of Durford Road, and Petersfield Scout leader Lauren Preston, are with the on-site international service team.

Also at the 11-day event are around 90 Hampshire leaders and Scouts, including Sheet Scout James Barden.

Mark said: “We arrived after visiting the Peace Park, which commemorates the atomic bomb dropped there in 1945.

“When we got to the jamboree site a typhoon was forcast, and, although it turned away, it was still very windy and a few tents were lost.

“Lauren is working on one of the activity hubs, and Clive and I are on site safety, helping lost participants and dealing with safety issues.

“During each six-hour shift we patrol about 12 miles in teams of six, with leaders of different nationalities, which is interesting.

“The opening ceremony began with a spectacular Japanese drumming show, then all 30,000 young people paraded into the arena, which was an awesome sight.

“All of them are now well into their programmes, which include water activities, cultural projects, global development, nature, visits to Hiroshima, community work or exploring the site, which is massive.

“The heat and humidity are brutal, with temperatures reaching 43 degrees, and we’ve had numerous heatstroke and sun burn cases. The amount of water we need is incredible, about six litres a day.

“A low point has been queuing in the heat; at our canteen it’s taken about an hour and a half to get fed.

“After the Japanese, the UK is the largest contingent there, and I’ve visited the Scouts from Hampshire.”