Fifty years after a camping trip in the mountains of Norway a group of former Calne Scouts returned to meet up with friends they made during their youth.

Ten Rover and Senior Scouts spent two weeks camping in Norway in 1959, and 50 years on five of the original party were reunited with other former Scouts in Oslo.

Former Calne Scout Peter Holley, who now lives in Truro Walk, in Chippenham, said: “Amazingly some of the faces were instantly recognisable after all these years, and it was fascinating to reminiscence our experiences in the mountains and share our life experiences since 1959.

“The reunion proved a great success and many contacts were re-established. It was a truly amazing experience and a reflection of what we had all gained from Scouting all those years ago.”

All together 48 former Scouts from different parts of Norway and Sweden, as well as Andrew Phelps, Peter Holley, Roderick Dare, Alan Davis and Roy Branson from the Calne group, joined for the reunion.

“It was a very moving experience,” said Mr Holley. “It showed the camaraderie we had and the achievements we made all those years ago.

“We were there for the Norwegian National Day celebrating the country’s independence from Denmark, and they had reserved a spot for us under the royal balcony to watch the children march past – it was amazing.”

The link was made between the Scouting groups when Alf Salvasen, a leader from Norway, was seconded to RAF Yatesbury in 1957 and got in contact with the First Calne Scouts Group.

On returning to Norway, Mr Salvasen came up with the idea of Scouts from Calne meeting members from his locality and on a camping and hiking trip.