Hello from Hylands Park

Today has been a day of exploration and discovery. I have been finding out what my role is to be in Guest Services. First we had training about guest services in general and then I discovered I had been hand -picked to be part of the support and logistics team. Within this my special role will be driving. To enable me to do this I went with the three othe rpotential drivers to get our site licences to drive. This meant a drive of about 10 minutes across the site in a golf cart to the Jamboree organising team area and in particular transport. A short process determined that I could drive the 8 person vehicles and a golf cart.

Next I learned a new skill- driving a golf cart. Not as simple as you might imagine. There was a code to put in to get it going, itiis left-hand drive and has to pedals go and stop. The other thing I soon discovered as I drove the team back to the Guest Services area is that Golf carts do not have adjustable driving postions so you sit with your legs uncomfortably bent. In addition they have no mirrors, no lights, no indicators, no horn and no speedometer.

We did make it back ok and no one fell out.

After a break for our picnic lunch and a cappacucino in a very nice cafe we headed back for another training. This taught us how to receive and deal with heads of state, ambassadors,diplomats, MP's etc etc from all around the world who will be visiting the Jamboree. Partof my role will be to collect people from their arrival point which might be on site or from Stansted or North Weald airport or from the Jamboree Hotel at nearby Writtle College. You will I am sure be relieved to know my duties do not extend to transporting HRH Prince William because he will land close to the House in a helicopter.

I have been promised long days for which despite the chance of more mud we have to look very clean and smart. However, the team are all very friendly. My co-drivers are 2 UK Guiders and an Indian from Texas, who has worked in Norfolk. Our team leader is from Bangladesh and his boss is an American.

I have been glad to see many familiar faces from Gloucestershire, particulalry those from Tewkesbury who live just outside the town and one who is heading up the Fire Service here and had to have a Police escort out of the town to get here.

We have enjoyed two relatively dry days which has helped a lot and we hope that things are not too difficult for you.

There are now over 8,000 on site, tomorrow the UK contingent arrive and by the weekend all the rest will be here. This is the first time so many people from so many different countries have been brought together by any organisation in the world.

Best wishes,

Felicity