Uckfield hosts young Europeans

Masked youths terrorised an international youth camp on its first night in Uckfield, but with prompt action from leaders and the police the rest of the holiday passed peacefully.

Three or four youths wearing dark clothing and balaclavas sneaked around the camp on the first Thursday night, banged on a tent occupied by Swedish visitors and shouted abuse when told to go away.

Said camp leader Dr Martyn Stenning: 'This seemed like a bad start and the Swedish youngsters had a very bad night, but the police came quickly and by the time they were here all was quiet.'

There were also tears on Sunday, the last day of the camp, but that was entirely due to the success of the venture ... the youngsters were sad to be splitting up, returning to different parts of the world and leaving new friends. The previous night they had danced together until midnight, oblivious to the pouring rain.

The camp ran for ten action-packed days. There were trips to London and Brighton, a walk on Ashdown Forest, a night walk through Buxted Park and dozens more activities at the camp, including a sports day and workshops for circus skills, glass painting, tie-dyeing, cycling and music.

The camp, organised by Uckfield Twinning Association, took place in the grounds of Manor School and at the community college.

Thirteen tents were loaned by the Territorial Army for the youngsters' use.

Eight towns from across the world, including Uckfield, were represented. They included three from Germany and one each from Britain, France, Sweden, Hungary and Latvia. Campers were aged between 12 and 16 and each town provided at least two youth leaders.

'This was not just about giving youngsters a holiday. It was an educational, cultural and social visit to bring young people of different cultures and backgrounds together under canvas for ten days where they could exchange ideas and learn from each other and go back to their countries following a memorable experience,' said Dr Stenning.

Many of the Uckfield contingent were members of a youth club at St Philip's Catholic Church run by Kathy Kay.

The event cost more than 10,000 and was paid for by two years of fund- raising in Uckfield, a 3,000 contribution from the town council and a donation of 3,000 from an anonymous benefactor.

'People have also been very generous with their time,' said Dr Stenning.

TR Fastenings allowed its workforce to help put up tents during work hours and Wealden Packaging Supplies helped with the catering.

APR Printing and Design printed a record of the event at a greatly reduced rate.