Contributions Archive - news from around the County

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Redhill Carnival Parade

A Sunday morning in June saw this year’s street parade, part of the biennial Redhill & Reigate Carnival weekend, travelling through the towns; with over 20 groups and over 400 individuals taking part over the two routes, it was a spectacle not to be missed.

Most of the Units in Girlguiding Reigate District took part, and their 'Alice in Wonderland' float was judged best in the Redhill section. With about 60 young people taking part the float carried Alice herself accompanied by the White Rabbit, Mad Hatter, Dormouse and the Cheshire cat, the Red King & Queen, Playing cards and Courtiers painting roses.

Sue Fairclough - District Commissioner - June 2009

Epsom Voluntary Service Awards

Every year Epsom & Ewell Borough Council presents civic awards to those people who have performed voluntary service in the local community.

This year Jenny Johnson, Jackie Broadhurst, Philippa Allen and Sarah Edwards were nominated to receive Voluntary Service Awards for their various contributions to Girlguiding in Epsom. Philippa was unable to attend, but we were privileged to spend the evening of St.George's Day in a rather different and special way and had a very pleasant evening at Epsom Town Hall where we had our awards presented to us by the Mayor, Alan Winkworth.
We were very interested to learn about the many different ways in which people help voluntarily in the borough and it is good to see this being recognised. We were very proud to be representing Girlguiding and to be part of this occasion.
Jenny Johnson, Sarah Edwards, and Jackie Broadhurst - 2009

1st Walton on the Hill Brownies fund raising

Keen to raise funds to pay for transport to the Centenary launch party in September, the 1st Walton on the Hill Brownies ran a Toy Tombola at the Lower Kingswood Village Fete in May. They managed to raise £240.00 towards their coach during a very busy afternoon. It was also a good day for Brownie Leader Avril Farley who, with her 3 year old Rottweiler Roxie, won first prize in the 'Dog most like its owner' class in the dog show. Roxie has a plate in one of her rear legs and limps - much like her owner who has had several operations on her foot. The show was judged by Shane Ritchie, pictured here with Avril and 9 year old Brownie Angela.

May 2009

10th Redhill Guides change the world!

Demonstrating the true meaning of 'girls in the lead,' the 10th Redhill Guides have joined 500,000 girls across the UK by taking part in Girlguiding UK’s Changing the World project.

The 10th Redhill Guides and their guests have raised over £200 for UNICEF as part of their Changing the World project. The Guide group, which meets at Redhill Methodist Church, held a bring and share dinner for their 67 participants in order to raise awareness and funds for UNICEF’s Just Say Yes! Project. The girls, aged between ten and 14, learnt about HIV and AIDS throughout the world, what the real issues are, how to minimise the risks to themselves and how to take action to make a difference for young people all over the world. They selected this project from 19 different projects available because it related to children.

The Guides began the evening by explaining the effects of HIV/Aids on children and especially on infant deaths and how this can be prevented. Everyone participated in a true or false activity, led by Guide Leader Helen Haymes, to dispel some myths and provide information about the project. The Guides held a raffle during the evening and finished with local businessman and after dinner speaker Tim Fifield presenting his humorous thoughts on communication. Some of the activities were led by two of the older Guides, Rebecca and Emilie, as part of their Baden-Powell Challenge Award.

Megan, one of the Guides taking part in the project, said "Before we did this project I didn’t know anything about HIV/Aids and making the memory books was really good."

Guide Leader Cheryl Clark said "I thought I already knew quite a lot about HIV and AIDS but I have also learnt a lot about what can be done to help orphaned children and what can be done to prevent the deaths caused by HIV being passed from mother to baby – the medication costs just 68p!"

If you want to find out more about the Girlguiding UK Changing the World project, visit the Changing the World website.

Hannah Rainford - County Public Relations Adviser April 2009

Stoneleigh Rainbows' 20th anniversary party

Rainbow Guides from all over Stoneleigh joined together to celebrate their 20th anniversary recently with a big 'birthday' party at their local meeting hall. And it was no surprise that a party with lots of excited 5 & 6 year old girls went very well indeed.

The girls enjoyed the usual party games with two mega pass-the-parcels, mask making, lots to eat and a giant birthday cake baked by one of the supporter mums. There were VIP visitors including a previous Rainbow Leader who came all the way from Devon, and a great time was had by all.

Lana aged 5 said "I really enjoyed the party; the best bit was pass-the-parcel. I love coming to Rainbows each week; I have lots of fun with my friends with no boys there."

During the party the BBC popped in to record some of the fun - they were especially interested in how individual girls joined in the fun with other Rainbows, many of whom had not previously met each other. The result is expected to be broadcast on the 'See Hear' programme at 1:00pm on Wednesday 8th April 2009.

Denise Gould - Rainbow Leader March 2009

Remembrance Parade 2008. Picture shows girls in Trafalgar Square before they went on into Whitehall to be part of the parade at the Cenataph on Remembrance Sunday. Surrey East was representing Girlguiding UK. Girls came from Dorking, Bookham, Epsom, Caterham and Horley. Margaret Frosztega

During the two World Wars Guides acted as messengers for Marconi Wireless Telegraph and, at the request of the Ministry of Food, demonstrated 'blitz cooking' and made emergency fireplaces from the bricks of bombed houses. Girlguiding UK

1st Stoneleigh Rainbows recently celebrated the 21st Anniversary of Rainbow Guiding. We had a fabulous party with lots of exciting games and a fantastic birthday cake! Mums, Dads, Grandparents and brothers and sisters came along to join in the fun!

Angela Glands - Rainbow Leader

Scoutabout 2008 was a huge success! Thanks to all those who helped out, including the Surrey Scouts and our neighbours in Surrey West.

Over 4,500 Guides and Scouts from across Surrey enjoyed an action-packed weekend of activities at the end of June.

Guides in Girlguiding Surrey East had the opportunity to take part in more than 200 activities at the three-day Scoutabout event at the South of England Showground in Ardingley, West Sussex.

From JCB digger and car driving to bungee running and scuba diving, the young people were able to try something new in a safe environment and make new friends at the same time.

14 year old Guide Charlotte said ‘We’ve had a great time, despite it being a bit rainy. I’ve really enjoyed all the activities and trying new things with all the friends I’ve made.’

The weekend would not have been possible without the hard work of a determined team of 1,500 adult volunteers from across Surrey who carried out a range of roles to make Scoutabout a reality. In Surrey East, our adult Leaders helped out in wide variety of roles including leading a service team, working in the first aid tent, and catering for hundreds of starving Guides!

Did you know? During Scoutabout 2008 Guides, Scouts and their Leaders munched their way through 1,800 Curly Wurlies, 1,400 ice creams, 16,200 fried eggs, 4,500 cans of fizzy drink and used 1,800 toilet rolls!

Hannah Rainford - County Public Relations Adviser

 

Kirsten's design is runner up in National competition. On a sunny Saturday in April I had the pleasure of accompanying one of my Rainbows and her mother to Guide Headquarters in London. Seven year old Kirsten, from 1st Epsom West Rainbows, had entered a competition ran by our Girlguiding Region, LaSER, and had won a runners up prize. The competition was to design an outfit for Olivia, with the winner having the outfit made up for her to wear. Kirsten received a Rainbows' 21st Birthday T- Shirt and her framed entry design.

Hilary Gudge - Rainbow Leader - April 2008

Stoneleigh swims for Marie Curie

In April three teams from 5th Stoneleigh Brownies, 1st & 3rd Stoneleigh Guides, entered the swimathon at the Rainbow Leisure Centre in Epsom. All nine girls completed the full 5km, with the Brownie team recording the fastest time of 2 hours 43 minutes, mainly because they had more swimmers and could rest for longer, with the Guides having to do approx 100 lengths each. They were all presented with medals for completing the distance. The girls were all raising money for Marie Curie Cancer Care, with one Brownie hoping for sponsorhip or £145 on her own. I swam the full distance as an individual on Friday night! Ann Miller - Leader - April 2008

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