.... and I'll huff and I'll puff and I'll BLOW your candles out!
Girlguiding Surrey West County's Big Brownie Birthday Starquest attracted 1,500 members who didn't seem to mind the rain one little bit last Saturday! Girls from 1st Knaphill Brownies had great fun dressing up as cake candles in the life size cake.
Who's new?
Welcome to Zoë Kingsmell who joins us as Residential and Outdoor Activities Adviser, part of the Guiding Development team.
Laurel Award for Lesley Marsh
Many members of Girlguiding met at the Brunel Museum at Rotherhithe for the presentation of the Laurel Award to Lesley for her amazing contribution to guiding. Representatives from several Counties, Region and Training joined Commissioners from Girlguiding LSE County and Leaders, Young Leaders and Patrol Leaders from 1st St. James’s Guides to celebrate her achievement.
As Pip McKerrow, Region Chief Commissioner said it was an award that was long overdue and the main theme that ran through the speeches was how Lesley epitomised ‘girl-led’ guiding and her commitment to her units.
Lesley is very well known nationally and at Region for her massive contribution to section programmes and especially to leaders’ training and trainers.
26 years ago when Lesley first came to our County we had no idea what a dedicated, inspirational and committed leader we had in our midst, we do now!
Pauline Mason
Girlguiding LSE County Commissioner
Top Tip…
In addition to putting your name in your Leader hoodie, consider putting your mobile number in too just in case someone else picks it up by mistake!
Girlguiding LaSER Walks MILES
Don’t forget to log all miles walked by the end of August.
So far Girlguiding LaSER has walked 6,346 miles.
This means we have passed Sangam where we enjoyed the hospitality of our Indian friends in guiding. We are now travelling on. Where will we get to by the end of this Summer Term?
Any miles walked up until the end of July can be logged. Please log all miles by the end of August so we can announce at the beginning of next term the final total.
How far can your unit walk? It doesn't matter how many or how few miles your unit has walked - it all counts.
It’s certainly not too late to start logging walks. See below.
How far can Girlguiding LaSER walk in Summer Term 2014?
The aim of the challenge is to encourage all Girlguiding LaSER members to get out and walk – whether to school, work or for ‘a walk’.
As a leader all that is required for you is to:
• ask your girls to record the miles they walk
• award certificates after particular distances have been achieved (these are cumulative distances a bit like the Nights Away badge)
• log the certificates awarded or simply the miles your unit has walked
You can include walks from the first day after Easter: Tuesday 22nd April until 31st July.
Open to all sections including Leaders and Trefoil.
Girlguiding Croydon County Celebrates
On Saturday 21 June 2014, over 500 Brownies and their Leaders met at The Shaws Campsite, Cudham to celebrate The Big Brownie Birthday.
Activities were arranged in the Past, Present, Future and Star Zones. Brownies moved through the zones collecting stars to complete their Star Quest.
Past Zone activities included: African Drumming; Old Brownie Challenges; Fairground Stalls; and Crafts from around the world.
In the Present Zone Brownies tried the Architecture Workshop, Circus Skills, Street Dancing and Bubble Making.
Finally in the Future Zone Brownies visited a travelling Planetarium, tried on Brownie uniforms from the Past and created uniforms for the Future, played giant games and planted a sunflower for Growing Guiding.
At the end of the day, 200 Brownies and Leaders departed which left 300 to spend the night camping at our Big Brownie Birthday Stay Away.
A big thank you must go to Peter (Cudham warden) for all his assistance. Without his time, effort and support we would not have enjoyed such a fantastic event. A big thank you also goes to the fantastic team of helpers who worked tirelessly throughout the event.
A passing comment from a leader as she left: ‘This was the best large scale event I’ve ever been to!’
Ready Set Bake
Girlguiding Sussex East Brownies & Guides Compete in a County Bake Off
28 June saw the first-ever Great Girlguiding Sussex East County Bake Off. Following feedback from the county’s Girls Have Their Say Day, Bake Off was put into place. 8 Brownies and 8 Guides from across the county came together for the final after local heats.
The day was based around the TV programme, and the girls had to do technical challenges - bread rolls for Brownies, and fruit tarts for Guides, a signature bake just for Guides, and show stoppers based around a seaside theme.
Jess Rosam aged 13 – Guide winner said: “I liked the technical challenge because it was a surprise and we didn’t know what we had to do. I now can’t stop smiling knowing that I have won.”
Aoife Edwards, aged 8 – Brownie winner said: “It was really good and really nice to win. I liked decorating my cupcakes because I got to do all the glitter.”
Availability at Blackland Farm
Two equipped campsites, next to each other, have just become free for the busiest time of the year: July 26 to August 2.
Events at Blackland Farm
There are still spaces available for the following events.
Wet and Wild - Take the plunge into watery activities. Work towards the water sports and water safety badges.
When? 9 August 2014 (10am to 4pm, with a break for lunch and an opportunity to visit the shop. A packed lunch and drink will be required.)
Who/how many can go? Brownies with their Leaders, 48 spaces.
Cost? £18 per person
Game for Adventure - A great opportunity to experience high adventure activities. Gain your water safety badge and work towards your Outdoor pursuits badge.
When? 10 August 2014 (10am to 4pm, with a break for lunch and an opportunity to visit the shop. A packed lunch and drink will be required.)
Who/how many can go? Guides with their Leaders, 48 spaces.
Cost? £18 per person
For further details please contact Angela Lewis Tel: 01342 810493 or email Angela.Lewis@girlguiding.org.uk. www.blacklandfarm.org.uk
Vacancies
Digital Communications Manager, Communications & PR, London
Fixed term contract, 12 months
Grade 6
Closing date – 17 July 2014
Girlguiding is recruiting a Digital Communications Manager, reporting to the Head of Digital Communications, to work within our Communications & PR Directorate on a 12 month fixed term contract.
Should you wish to apply, please complete an application form and return to Human Resources at hrvacancies@girlguiding.org.uk.
Willow Tree Centre has a Cancellation!
Willow Tree Centre has had a cancellation and is therefore available for the weekend 8 - 10 August 2014. Special Offer rate of £395 for the weekend. Days are also available either side of the weekend if longer time is required.
Centre sleeps up to 33 people, 26 in 2 dormitories, plus 3 leader rooms with 7 beds. Fully equipped. Set in 17 acres of grounds, adjacent to Ruislip Woods.
The full address is Willow Tree Centre, Breakspear Road North, Harefield, Middlesex UB9 6LZ.
For further details, please contact the Booking Secretary, Christine Mills 01895 637309 or info@willowtreecentre.co.uk
Are you getting out and about this Summer?
Why not try the following:
Ordnance Survey Map Reading Booklet
Ordnance Survey has a free map reading booklet which is available to download from their website. It includes tips and some activities for teaching basic map reading skills. See ordnance survey resources for more information.
Themed Walks - Discovering Britain
If you’re looking for somewhere to go walking with your unit, possibly as part of LaSER Walks Miles, www.discoveringbritain.org is a website with directions for walks at various places around the UK each with a particular theme.
Next week will be the last edition of Raspberry Ripple before the summer break.