Scouts host Japanese visit
SCOUTS from Widnes have welcomed a Japanese family to the area after spending time with families in their homes in Japan as part of the World Jamboree.
One year on they returned the favour by hosting their home hospitality co-ordinator Masanobu Ueno and his family.
A Mersey Weaver District Scouts spokesman said it was a special part of each Jamboree that as well as participating on the event campsite, visiting Scouts enjoy time in home hospitality with host families.
Leader Rick Wakefield and Jamboree contingent members from Mersey Weaver District, Kieron Eager and Ben Heath – all from Widnes – met up again with their Japanese hosts, with Rick providing the home hospitality for two of the visiting party.
Masanobu and his family, from Marugame in the Kagawa prefecture on Shikoku Island, were taken on a tour of Manchester United’s home Old Trafford, enjoyed a celebratory dinner at the Statham Lodge Hotel in Lymm with the High Sheriff Of Cheshire Kathy Cowell, visited The Beatles Story exhibition and Albert Dock in Liverpool and took in the sights of historic Chester.
Deputy County Commissioner Dave Hopley said: “We will be forever grateful for the gift of friendship our Japanese friends have given us and we hope to continue the friendship between our Scouts in Cheshire and Marugame for years to come.”