Scouts' corned beef banned

Foot-and-mouth disease fears led to French authorities stopping the youngsters from bringing any English meat across the Channel.

The 2nd Hailsham Scout Group visited twin town Gournay en Bray earlier this month.

Sarah Lane, group leader, said the Scouts weren't searched for sausages as they arrived in Dieppe.

British government officials had told her they would not be allowed to take any meat products in France.

'The Scouts thoroughly enjoyed the trip, although we missed our bacon butties,' she added.

Dudley Rose, chairman of the twinning association, said French Scouts enjoyed English bacon when they came on a visit last year.

He added: 'I was surprised to hear our Scouts weren't allowed to bring tinned meat with them.'

Farmer Phil Hook, from Longleys Farm in Harebeating Lane, said the ban was part-and-parcel of regulations needed to prevent the spread of the foot-and-mouth disease.

He said: 'It shows they are being vigilant at the borders.

'Those restrictions have been lifted now.'

The 16 Scouts spent their first night at the Gournay en Bray Scout headquarters.

But the next morning they went on a hunter-gatherer exercise, using limited French to track down meat supplies in nearby supermarkets.

The youngsters then spent time with the Gournay en Bray Scouts.

At a special meal the Hailsham group were given peace badges, and they gave their hosts a four-metre wide parachute and pennants.

Dudley Rose said the Scouts couldn't wait to visit the French town again.

He added: 'They came back full of talk, they had such a great time.

'They were well-looked after and overwhelmed by the reception they received.'

French Mayor Jean-Lou Pain spent some time with the Scouts before they returned home.

Gournay en Bray Scouts, reformed three years ago, will visit Hailsham next year.