FAMILIES in Marlborough have once again had a successful visit from 20 Japanese teenagers who visited the town this summer.

The boys, all from Tokai Junior High School and Nagoya High School, stayed with their local hosts where they were given the chance to experience life in the UK. Leaving on Monday (August 8) the teenagers enjoyed visiting the sights of the West Country as well as being taken to London for a day out on Sunday.

Patrick Jackson, 49, coordinator of the programme, said: “The boys are always very polite and charming. They learn so much while they are in Marlborough. It’s lovely to watch them grow in confidence, largely thanks to the warmth of the welcome they receive from local families. They return to Japan with lots of new friends and many a tale to tell of their learning journey.”

During the day, the boys visit the Marlborough College Summer School where they take part in a wide variety of activities ranging from dance to industrial design to tennis to martial arts. In the middle of the boys’ visit, the host families had the opportunity to offer their visitors a taste of English life and culture, some being taken to Oxford, Stonehenge, Bath, Avebury and other local sights.

“The boys had a great time visiting Marlborough, it is a nice place for them to come to, you don’t really have to worry about anything nasty happening to them. On Sunday we got the train from Bedwyn to London, showing them round. We also stopped in at McDonalds near Oxford Street which was fun,” added Mr Jackson.

Although there is a list of families who already act as hosts to the visitors each year, Mr Jackson said that the group are always on the lookout for any other volunteers.

“If people would be interested in hosting members of our groups then they can contact my sister or myself and arrange it. We have some families in Aldbourne, Pewsey and other places around Marlborough who take part."

Learning Journeys are interested in hearing from families in or around Marlborough who would like to host one or two Japanese boys in the summer of 2017 (July 23-August 5). For more details, please email Alexandra at ajk.learningjourneys@gmail.com.