Sharing the Peacelight
On Wednesday 20th December, Scouters and Scouts from across Surrey, Greater London South West as well as representatives from Ukraine Scouting UK went to Bentley Copse Activity Centre, Shere for a short ceremony and to light lamps from the flame that has been brought from Austria (via Bethlehem).
Twelve-year old Pillar Jarayseh lit the ORF 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 conflict in the Middle East, it was taken back to Amman airport, 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 organized by the Austrian Broadcasting Company – ORG (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 is now passed to over 30 countries across the world.
This year the Peace Light has also arrived at Gilwell Park for the first time.
