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" I’ve made some wonderful friends and met people from all over the world through guiding. It’s fantastic! "
Hampton Court Palace Flower Show 2010
Brownies, Guides and Rangers from London and South East Region display floral designs at Hampton Court Palace Flower Show
Members of Girlguiding LaSER displayed recycled container plant displays and Girlguiding UK Centenary adventures inspired balconies at Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, which was visited by HRH the Countess of Wessex.
The groups' design was seen by around 160,000 visitors from the 6th-11th July 2010.
The 3rd Hinchley Wood Guides and Ditton Rangers' balcony "Iceland - so much more than ice and fire" was inspired by their imminent Centenary trip to Iceland, which is taking place in August. The balcony used genuine Icelandic sand and lava rocks with a tactile turf roof that was chosen and grown by the girls.
Ellie Jones aged 13 said, ‘Visiting the show on press day was really good because I had the chance to see behind the scenes and to look at the other gardens when they weren't too crowded. We have learnt so many skills doing this garden and I would really like to do it again."
Helen Pritchard, Leader of 3rd Hinchley Wood Guides said, 'I am so proud of the way all the girls worked together on this project and to see the finished result in Hampton Court has been a wonderful experience. I am looking forward to the next challenge.'
The 1st Denmark Place Brownies' design ‘The Filinator' uses a recycled two drawer filing cabinet planted with patio roses, pinks, nemesia, gallardia, phygelius, alpine and dwarf pink, to name a few. When developing their design, the Brownies took their inspiration from the fact that the history of guiding is filed and there for all to see. The unit was also inspired by the fact that it was new and wanted to make an impact in the 100th year of Girlguiding UK.
Dorothy Scott, Leader of the Unit said, ‘As a Unit we are really excited to be part of this, especially as this is the Centenary year and we want to leave our mark. The Brownies have told me that they enjoyed doing the project as they love gardening and it gave them the chance to complete it as a unit and as friends. We had a fantastic time at the show and it was so thrilling to see our design displayed alongside some amazing gardens.'
The 2nd Ash Vale Guide's design ‘Brilliant Bottle Badge' used recycled plastic bottles to make the shape of the guiding Trefoil, which will be planted with pink, white and blue flowers to represent the guiding Centenary colours. When developing their design, the Guides decided to use plastic bottles as they are readily accessible and are a product often associated with recycling.
Carol Gubler, Leader of the 2nd Ash Vale Guides said: "At the beginning of the year - I showed the entry form to the group and left them to it - within 15 minutes they came up with the basic idea! It has been amended a few times and changed a bit - but we were all thrilled with the final result! It was very much a case of the "girls in the lead" and we left them with the project."
The 3rd New Eltham Guides' balcony "Imagine That" was inspired by Girlguiding London and South East England's challenge to support God's Golden Acre during the Centenary year. God's Golden Acre is an orphanage in the Kwa Zulu Natal region of South Africa. The Guides wanted their balcony to highlight the ways in which we can better use rain water and be more self-sufficient. The girls chose a mixture of scented plants to attract insects and fruit and vegetables to encourage healthy living.
Jessica Limpkin aged 12 said "Being able to visit the show was great but being able to display our own work was amazing. The show looked fabulous and all the flowers were exquisite. I loved the vegetable orchestra and the purple tap garden. We met the Countess of Wessex, Sophie, she was extremely nice and interested in the project. I think she looked beautiful in her fabulous outfit."
Ellie Marsh, aged 12 said "When I first arrived at Hampton Court, I was amazed by the beautiful presentation of flowers and plants. Everyone that entered a balcony had put their hardest effort towards making a wonderful piece of art, everywhere you went it was an amazing sight. I was really fortunate to have been given this opportunity, and it is not an every day that young people get to show their inspirations at an event like the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show."
The 2nd Reigate Brownies design ‘Singing in the rain' uses wellies and umbrellas to make a ‘100' shape planted with mixed blue lobelia, sweetcorn and climbing beans. When developing their design, the Brownies took their inspiration from the special Centenary Adventure 100 badge, which encourages members to make things in the shape of 100.
Sophie, aged 8 said "I am so excited about going to the show to see our garden."
Roo Harmer, leader of the 2nd Reigate Brownies said, "When we sent in our entry I really didn't think we would be picked, so it was a lovely surprise. Now we are really busy growing and making things to make our garden really special."
The 1st Blendon Brownies design ‘Blooming Wonderful Brownie Washday' uses a 1960's heated clothes airer planted with a range of flowers, vegetables and herbs including ivy, clematis, rosemary and micro-cherry tomatoes. When developing their design, the Brownies took their inspiration from the Centenary colours of blue, pink and yellow and then thought of how things could be displayed on the airer. Continuing the recycling theme they put some plants in painted milk bottles and some in clothing, we have some socks, pants and even a large ladies bra!
Jenny Breen, leader of the 1st Blendon Brownies said: "We are all very excited about being part of the Hampton Court Flower Show, it is really important to us, especially in our Centenary year. The girls especially liked the idea that my Dad's heater airer would end up at a flower show as he was a Park Keeper. I know that my Dad would be thrilled to think his old airer was being used, he was a fantastic gardener and loved to visit the Flower Shows."
The 9TH Chichester Brownies' design ‘Weeds and All' uses an old lawn mower, gardening gloves and weed killer bottles planted with a range of ‘weeds' including daisies, clover, ivy and plantain. When developing their design, the Brownies took their inspiration from the fact that guiding ‘isn't a pristine lawn, it is open to all girls'.
The Brownies all agreed that gardening was fun and that they were looking forward to going to the press day at Hampton court as Henry VIII had lived there. The thing that they have enjoyed most about the project is hammering in the nails while making the container.
Vicky Davies, Leader of the 9th Chichester Brownies said "This is a great achievement for the girls having their design chosen to represent Girlguiding UK in its centenary year at this prestigious flower show. The girls have had the opportunity of preparing the display and growing the plants, learning new skills that will stay with them through life. The girls are also looking forward to their trip to Hampton Court and are hoping to meet celebrities and royalty during their visit!"
The 4th Horsley Brownies' design "4th Horsley Brownies are all packed up and ready to go on our Centenary Adventure!' uses a suitcase to suggest a miniature Brownie pack holiday complete with zip wire and teddy bear. The suitcase will be planted with miniature oak trees and flowers such as French marigolds and cosmos to represent the Girlguiding Centenary colours of yellow, pink and blue. When developing their design, the Brownies were thinking about their Brownie friends abroad and the fun they have going away together on Brownie holidays.
The 7th Frimley Brownies' design ‘Weather Permitting' uses a weather vane from the old Heathcote School and a dyeing tub sourced at a car boot sale planted with a range of plants including sunflowers, petunias and marigolds. When developing their design, the Brownies took their inspiration from thinking about how different weather affects how plants grow.
Kavita, age 9 from 7th Frimley Brownies said: "The planting goes towards my Gardener badge - I am also growing petunias, courgettes and cress at home. I like seeing the different stages of how everything grows."
Girlguiding UK also had a Silver-Gilt medal and People's Choice award winning central show garden that celebrates the Centenary and represents the modern, girl-led ethos of the organisation. The garden was been designed by Philippa Pearson a previous RHS medal winner with more than 12 years experience of working in horticulture.