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Centenary Summary

We consulted some of the girls for their views on how we should celebrate such a special birthday and they all said "A really big party and lots of food". So in Surrey East there were plenty of really big parties and no doubt lots of birthday cakes!

The Centenary year began on Saturday 5 September 2009 which is the anniversary of the first Crystal Palace Rally in 1909. Robert Baden-Powell found his Rally gatecrashed by girls who wanted their own organisation and so the Guide movement was born.

Our Launch Celebration was on 5 September 2009 at Lingfield Park Racecourse

The Rainbows had a very special day on 5 June 2010 with 100 different activities.

The Brownies were also able to enjoy a wonderful day out on Saturday 19 June 2010 with a day at Port Lympne Zoo in Kent.

We took over most of Foxlease in the New Forest, where Guides and Senior Section camped from Sunday 25 July until Friday 30 July 2010. This is a wonderful site and there were lots of exciting and challenging activities from the ten decades of Guiding.

On Saturday 18 September 2010 Guiders and Unit Helpers hired a boat for a four-hour trip on the Thames from St Katherine's Dock to Richmond and back. The event included a buffet lunch.

Surrey East Trefoil Guild held a Centenary Celebratory Supper on Wednesday 20 October 2010.

The Centenary celebrations came to an end on the evening of 20 October 2010, when we all renewed our Promise at 20:10 and received a special Promise badge

 

County Rainbow Party 2010

Along with about 260 other Rainbows, 2nd Stoneleigh enjoyed an afternoon celebrating 100 years of Guiding at the Weald School, Beare Green.

It was a beautiful sunny afternoon, and I think the most popular activities were the skipping (where even the adults watching learnt a thing or two), the bouncy castle, and the enormous slide.

Fun was had by all, and a big thank you to the County team, especially Jacky, for organising it.

Denise Gould - Rainbow Leader - June 2010

Rainbows Fundraise for Save the Children

After seeing the devastation caused by the earthquake in Haiti and the terrible pictures of such distressed children, we decided that we must do something to help, however small. We chose the 'Save the Children' Haiti Appeal as the Rainbows themselves are so young, between 5 & 7 years old.

We decided on a Bring and Buy Sale as it was very quick to organise and, as we only meet for one hour on a Wednesday, time is very limited. We had a lucky dip, a cake stall, a small table for bring and buy items and also served tea/coffee and biscuits/cakes.

The Rainbows and their mums came up trumps. We raised £125.00 in one hour. One mum even bought her own chocolate cake back that she had made for the stall! No mum was allowed to leave until all the cakes had been sold! The Rainbows loved the lucky dip although probably the items have now found their way to the charity shops!

We presented the cheque to Philippa Holcroft (2nd right) from 'Save the Children' who explained how the money might be spent. The Rainbows were especially concerned that the children of Haiti would have all the things they themselves enjoyed at home, and hoped the money would help.

Lynn Collins - Rainbow Leader March 2010

 

Girlguiding Surrey East Leader Laura Ede, aged 20 from Warlingham, has shown she is leading the way after receiving Girlguiding UK’s top accolade, the coveted Queen’s Guide Award.

The award was presented to Laura by HRH the Countess of Wessex – the Girlguiding UK President - at a special ceremony held at St James’ Palace in London on Tuesday 24 November. Girlguiding UK’s Chief Guide Liz Burnley was also on hand at the event along with 200 other invited guests.

Around 70 young women from across the UK joined Laura in receiving their Queen’s Guide Awards. The award sees participants take the lead in a number of exciting areas including developing a personal skill, working within pioneering community action projects, and overseeing ambitious outdoor pursuits.

Laura, whose Queen’s Guide achievements included a trip to Japan, volunteering for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, organising camps for Guides and being appointed as the Lord Lieutenant’s cadet said “Achieving my Queen’s Guide award has had a big impact on my life. I have become a much more confident, well rounded person through doing the Award. I have met so many inspirational people, both in and out of Guiding, learnt skills which will aid me in my career and added to my life experience. It has opened my eyes to the world and the possibilities that are out there and I’ll never forget any part of it. Now I am telling others about it and trying to get them to enrol on the Award so they too can experience the unforgettable activities!”

The Queen’s Guide Award is the most prestigious Guiding award open to members between the ages of 16 and 25. As well as the activities carried out by Laura, other Queen’s Guide Award recipients experienced challenging and innovative programmes such as visiting India, carrying out community action projects, and raising money for charity.

Hannah Rainford - County Public Relations Adviser December 2009

Girlguiding Surrey East launches into their Centenary with style

On 5 September 2009 Girlguiding Surrey East celebrated the Launch of Girlguiding UK's Centenary year at Lingfield Park Racecourse in Surrey.

Girls and their Leaders from all over the County descended onto the Racecourse on coaches and a special birthday train to enjoy a funfair to mark the special occasion. Attractions included much-loved fairground rides such as dodgems and a Ferris wheel, energetic cheerleading workshops, DrumJam and a punch and judy show performed by 'Pauline's Puppets'.

The evening entertainment started on a musical note with the Kingston and Malden Scout and Guide band marching to tune, followed by an original 1910 car. Following the car were the flags, banners and standards from across the County, as well as girls wearing uniforms from each of the decades, from the 1950's airline style Guide uniform to the infamous Brownie brown dress from the 1980's.

A celebration cake was lit and cut by Lady Toulson CBE, The High Sheriff of Surrey, who was so impressed by the day's events that she agreed to become an ambassador for Girlguiding Surrey East.

The Mayors of Reigate and Banstead, Tandridge, Epsom and Ewell, and Horley attended and got involved with all of the activities and met many of the local members and spoke to them about why they enjoy being involved with Guiding. Peter Ainsworth, MP for East Surrey, also attended and was keen to hear about what girls in Guiding were doing, including international trips and community action projects.

Katie Nash, a Young Leader with the 7th Redhill Brownies and 10th Redhill Guides, helped escort VIPs around the event for the day and talked about her experiences in Guiding. "I was really pleased that our VIPs were enthusiastic about Guiding and loved the events from the day; we even had one Mayor and Mayoress try their hand on the dodgems!"

Samantha Fryer, an Assistant Leader with the 10th Redhill Guides, really enjoyed the event. "The Guides I was with had such fun, and the Leaders did too! It's great to think that when people talk about the Centenary of Guiding, that I can tell them I was there for the Launch!"

Margaret Frosztega, County Commissioner for Girlguiding Surrey East, was pleased to have provided something that the girls will remember. "We've come so far in the last 100 years that we need to remember that this Launch is not just about celebrating the last 100 years, it's about looking forward to the next 100 years too."

Guiding has come a long way since a small group of girls stepped forward at the 1909 Boy Scout rally in Crystal Palace Park and asked Robert Baden-Powell to create 'something for the girls'. 100 years to the day, 1.2 million Girlguiding UK members and guests attended Centenary Launch parties across the United Kingdom to mark this illustrious occasion and, in doing so, launched a year of celebrations which will run from 5 September 2009 to 20 October 2010. The central event took place in Crystal Palace Park where it all started.

Recent viewings of the archive from the Holmesdale Natural History Club prove that girls from the 1st Reigate Scout Troop were present at the 1909 Crystal Palace Rally. Although we are unsure if these are the girls who approached Robert Baden-Powell, we're proud to say that girls from Reigate attended and helped to form one of the very first Guiding units.

As Girlguiding UK continues through its Centenary year, there are opportunities for girls and adults of all backgrounds and experience to gain new skills, make new friendships and, most importantly, have fun. For more details of how to take part contact 0800 1 69 59 01.

Pictures from the launch

Hannah Rainford - County Public Relations Adviser December 2009

 

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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