Pip’s Perspective – a message from the Chief Commissioner
It was smiles all round on Saturday when I joined Girlguiding London Over The Border as they prepared to set off on their float as part of The Lord Mayor's Show. Later, despite the heavy rain, they continued to smile, laugh, wave and dance as they processed through the streets of the City of London. Meanwhile London South East, ably assisted by London North West, London North East and a great dollop of good humour, distributed 7,000 packed lunches to participants in the show when they reached Temple - what a job! What a fantastic team!
The weather was far kinder on Sunday for members of Sussex Central who represented Girlguiding on Remembrance Day and laid a wreath of poppies at the Cenotaph. It's a very great honour for the girls and their Leaders to march along Whitehall behind the war veterans but also a test of stamina to stand on parade for a few hours. Well done, a never-to-be-forgotten experience.
Thank you to all our volunteers and girls who participated in last weekend's activities out on public show serving our community, you're a great credit to Girlguiding LaSER!
pipmck@girlguidinglaser.org.uk
Twitter: @ PipMcKerrow
We will Remember Them
This week has seen us remember sailors and airmen along with soldiers who have fought for our country and the men and women who are affected by war. Remembrance activities can be formal or informal. The members of Girlguiding Sussex Central represented us at the Cenotaph on Sunday and many units will have attended Parades in their local areas on Sunday, or done activities in their own Units. 4th Uckfield Guides made their own Poppy Wreaths, did a word search around Remembrance and looked at the poem "In Flanders Fields". The Royal British Legion website even showed a film on the work of the Legion to give the Guides more of an understanding of what they do. 3rd Plumstead Common Guides also remembered by giving each girl a poppy and a luggage label to write a message to a hero. Each Patrol then made a wreath, before getting out from the meeting place by walking to the local memorial. How did you remember in your unit? Share with us on Facebook or Twitter.
The Lord Mayors Show 2013
It was easy to find "our float" in Aldersgate Street, you just had to look out for LOB girls with raspberry coloured hats and big smiles dressed in blue waterproof jackets emblazoned with the Girlguiding logo on the front and “The Lord Mayor’s show 2013” on the back.
Our fantastic float (112) with a big trefoil, climbing frame, windsurfing boards and strips of diagonal lighting along the side moved off at 11.30 - before which we were entertained by dancers and very loud music on the float behind us! As we moved off, down came the rain but this did not dampen anyone’s spirits. Those walking, twirled their umbrellas decorated with trefoils of all four Sections whilst those on the float danced and sang, greeted by cheering crowds high-fiving us as we passed by. The parade and lunch were soon over so we paraded back along the Embankment and then home.
Badge Work in days gone by
If you were a Guide during either of the wars you could have earned your War Service Badge.
A little different to the badges of today, during World War I the badge entailed 21 days special service or work towards the war effort or to personally make no fewer than 15 articles. This included four pairs of socks, four pairs of mittens, two shirts, one pyjama suit, one child's garments, one woman's garment, one belt and one bed jacket. The badge was awarded on a yearly basis; so many Guides achieved more than one and in all 1,400 service badges were awarded! In World War II a War Service badge was introduced with similar objectives. Any Guide could qualify for the badge, but it could not be achieved until the girl passed her Second Class test. The badge showed a crown, with a separate date strip for each year worn underneath. Wonder what a War Service badge would look like today, any suggestions please share with us on Facebook or Twitter!
Exciting Destinations for 2014
LaSER has four groups preparing for Region International trips in 2014. Three of these; to Malawi, Sri Lanka and Uganda are 14 Senior Section members (aged 14-18) and four leaders. We also have a smaller team going to Kenya with participants aged 18-26.
Each trip will include working on a service project, meeting Guides from the country, as well as some time to take in the sights and cultural experiences.
Would you like to be part of a Region International Opportunity?
If so, in the New Year we will be starting preparations for 2015 trips so ask your County International Adviser for details.
Vacancy - Complaints & Insurance Coordinator
Volunteer Support
Girlguiding is recruiting a Complaints & Insurance Coordinator, reporting to the Head of Volunteer Support, to work within our Guiding Services Directorate.
Should you wish to apply, please complete an application form and return to Human Resources at hrvacancies@girlguiding.org.uk
Follow the link for a full job description.
Closing date: 24 November 2013
Inspiring a Civil Engineer….the legacy of KaBoom?
My favourite bit of the day was listening to the people who worked at the museum talk about forces, they made an egg table and put sand bags on this. This was really fun to watch.
I saw two shows. One was about how space rockets get into space, this was interesting because they told us how a special gas was used to power the rocket. They showed this by using a balloon full of the gas which they set light to - the balloon then popped!
The other show was about the structure of a bridge, they built a bridge that wasn’t secure and then they made it secure. We learnt that a curved bridge was more secure than a straight bridge because the force spread down the sides until it reaches the ground.
We also went to the IMAX cinema that showed a film about penguins. This was brilliant because we saw how they looked after their babies.
It was a great day.
Emma Maddock
3rd Haywards Heath Brownies
Congratulations
It was with great pleasure that I presented Barbara Wing with a gift to thank her for 60 years’ service in Guiding, at our County Gang Show....Musigals on 2nd November.
The date was a poignant one as it was actually 60 years to that very day that Barbara became a leader.
Barbara was a leader at 5th Reigate guides for 40 years and is a founding member of the Reigate Trefoil Guild.
Without her dedication to guiding and wisdom, so many girls would not be where they are today. Barbara also always has a camera to hand and is thoughtful of those trivial things which actually come to mean a lot.
Barbara has had countless roles in guiding and is a font of all knowledge. Barbara is now Region President of the Trefoil Guild as well as holding a County appointment. For once Barbara was speechless!
Elaine Edwards
County Commissioner
Vacancy – Part-time Office Administrator
Girlguiding LaSER is recruiting a part-time Administrator to work at the Region Office for two mornings or afternoons a week (Tuesday & Friday) to manage the Join Us queries. This is a six month position.
To express interest please email info@girlguidinglaser.org.uk.
Closing date: 26 November 2013