County Newsletter February 2009

You can download a PDF version of the County Newsletter (which will include all the contact details, forms and images); click the article title to expand the details, or expand all /collapse all. This edition includes:-

• From the County Commissioner
  • Dear all
  • Happy 2009 to everyone in what promises to be the start of a very exciting Centenary Celebration for us all. With the celebrations starting in September, the first half of the year feels a little like preparation time.
  • I hope you have been looking at the great 'Change the World' material available. My Guides chose five to do. We were very democratic and each Patrol identified three to do, and we put them together to get the final set, aiming at three but ending up with five. It was interesting to see what the girls chose, besides the obvious cute orang-utan. The two we did last term were fantastic. The Mental Health Foundation is full of good ideas and I think it actually improved behaviour of the girls to each other for a while. Let us hope it lasts. On the basis of this last term's activities, we the Leaders decided we would look at all 19 and keep ideas as resources for years to come.
  • The plans for the Centenary are coming along. Launch plans are well underway and it looks huge fun. Plans for the Brownie outing and the Guide & Senior Section camp are well underway. We do need some Rainbow leaders to volunteer to help set up something for that section. Please speak to your District or
    Division Commissioner if you would like to help. These big events are great fun in organising so please do lend a hand.
  • Last year I said that I had two targets for 2008: the first was to improve recruitment; the second to get the website up and running. On recruitment, I think we have made progress as we now have a recruitment team who can help and advise. This team has been successful in several districts so do talk to them. We have a Welcome Pack for new Leaders which will be used in the coming year and we hope that will help new Leaders settle in. Tell us what you think. And we are planning a Recruitment Workshop on March 28th when Districts can send along two or three people to find out about how to be successful locally.
  • On the website, I hope you have all visited the site and found something useful there. Let the Webmaster know if there is something else you want to find there and we will see what we can do. This is your resource.
  • So what is the target for 2009 and 2010? - to give every girl the opportunity for a mountain-top moment in celebration.
  • Thank you for all you did for Guiding in 2008 and I hope you have a rewarding and fun-filled time in 2009.
  • Margaret Frosztega - County Commissioner
• Comings and Goings
  • Coralie Fryer completed her term as Rainbow Advisor in September. Coralie had a busy period with a new Rainbow programme, competitions for Olivia and so on. Rainbows have grown in the County over Coralie's term. Thank you Coralie for all your successful efforts and enthusiasm.
  • Jacky Steadman is the new County Rainbow Advisor.
• Vacancies
  • Wanted - County Administrator. Please consider the advert which your District Commissioner has circulated. The post is open to anyone with a good knowledge of how Girlguiding works so please pass to anyone who you think may be interested.
  • Wanted - people to help the Recruitment team on an occasional basis.
  • Wanted - Rainbow Leaders to plan a Centenary event for 2010.
  • Margaret Frosztega - County Commissioner
• Copy for the County Newsletter
  • The County Newsletter is published at the beginning of February, May, July and October of each year.
  • The deadline for guaranteed inclusion is the 15th of the previous month.
  • Please give a contact name and email and telephone number with every contribution (even if you wish it published anonymously), and mention that it is for the County Newsletter, especially in the email subject.
  • It would be a great help to the Editor if items for the newsletter could be e-mailed - written copy has to be retyped which obviously takes time, so if you can help in this way it will be appreciated. Thank you.
  • Printed copy and floppies can be sent by post to me.
  • Jan Futcher - Editor
• Congratulations on gaining their Queen's Guide Award
  • April Lord, 1st Bookham Brownies
  • Jane Taylor & Sophie Collins, Dorking URC Rangers
• The Pond Access Project
  • This time I do have some good news. The path has been laid from the car park at the Heatherley Cheshire Home down to the pond, with a wider area there for the wheelchairs to stop and enjoy the scene. Having said that, the path isn't totally finished yet, as it is still waiting to have the layer of resin-bonded material put on top, which will make it very hard wearing and virtually maintenance free. The route has been changed, so that it now goes down the side of the first field with the hedge on the left, rather than down the other side of the hedge which we had cleared about four years ago. The path then goes through the gap in the hedge and takes a flat route to the viewing area. As it stands, the path is useable and some residents have already made gone down to the pond.
  • The top layer will be put on once the winter is over and the ground is not too boggy, then we should be able to have our big Opening Ceremony. The contractors have not been paid all their money, so it is in their interests to get the path completed as soon as they can.
  • This of course now means that our plans for bulb planting etc have had to be put on hold until next autumn. Native bulbs and plants will be bought and planted, which will need YOUR HELP with the latter. The good news is that we have enough money in the account to buy the bulbs and plants, though any donations of either will be gratefully received. We are also considering buying a seat so that able- bodied people can also enjoy the view at the pond's edge. This would include staff and relations of the residents.
  • Thanks for your support since 2003 when we ran the 24-hour Campfire to kick-start the project. We have at last helped to achieve Heatherley Cheshire Home's wish to have a path from the Home down to the pond, so that their residents can enjoy being out-of-doors in pleasant surroundings.
  • Julie Woodland
• Centenary Camp Committee for 2010
  • We have been considering various types of dancing as an activity at the Centenary camp at Foxlease in July 2010.
  • We are looking for dancing experts, barn dancing/country dancing 'callers', Guides or Leaders who could help on this activity.
  • . . . .can you offer help at the camp? If so please contact Tessa Bullimore.
• Trefoil Guild
  • Surrey East Trefoil Guild members are looking forward to 2009, particularly a midweek break at Foxlease in May. We are also taking part in Capital Jig in October 2009 and we will have representatives in Copenhagen, Edinburgh, London and Prague. Some members will also be attending the TG Region AGM in Herne Bay and the TG National AGM in Telford.
  • All twelve Guilds have a very full programme planned, and inter-Guild meetings and activities are becoming more popular. A team hope to be involved with the selection weekend for Guides attending International camps, and we will again be helping at the Special Needs holiday.
  • If you are still an active Leader, but would like to become an Associate of the Trefoil Guild, please contact the TG County Chairman Jenny Mihalop or your local TG Chairman.
• Jordan Heights
  • We are going to hold a Guide Environment Day at Jordan Heights based on using the 'Changing the World' Centenary Challenge plus a few ideas of our own. You can enter up to five girls from your unit and they must have a Leader with them. More details and application forms will be out soon and the Day will also be on the website www.jordanheights.co.uk in March, but for now put the date in your diary - Saturday 16th May at Jordan Heights.
  • Betty Mayes
• Remembrance Sunday - 9th November 2009 - Whitehall, London
  • This date will be etched on my memory forever. It was a whole year in the planning but well worth every moment.
  • We had practised our marching, had learnt about Girlguiding's role during the war years and had tied our Friendship Knots and collected our sugar fixes. We looked very smart in our navy blue County fleeces and red and white neckers as we met by the fountain in Trafalgar Square. Now it was time to take up our place in the Parade.
  • Thirty Senior Section girls and adults from our County (including two friends from Middlesex East) proudly joined hundreds of Army, Air and Navy personnel, serving and retired, to remember the service men and women who made the great sacrifice during two World Wars and continue to serve in conflicts around the world.
  • The two minutes silence was marked by the firing of a canon as Big Ben struck 11;00 o'clock, and ended with 'The Last Post.' You could have heard a pin drop in Whitehall!
  • Later, as we marched past the Cenotaph, we placed our Wreath on behalf of Girlguiding Surrey East.
  • My thanks to Kirsten Broadhurst and Eileen Wingrove for all their help with the preparations and support during the year, and well done to the girls from Epsom, Woldingham, Bookham, Reigate and Dorking.
  • Janice Posner - County Young Leader Adviser
  • PS Please remember to return all fleeces and neckers to County via your Division Commissioners.
• Programme & Training
  • Hopefully by now you have all received a copy of the latest P&T mailshot - if not please let me know and I will get one off to you as soon as possible.
  • As it says in the Mailshot, bookings for all general training sessions can be made by completing an application form and sending it to Carole Summers, or online. First Response course applications can also be made online, but postal ones need to be sent to Denise Gould. The County website address for online applications is www.giriguidingsurreyeast.org.uk.
  • Please remember to get your application in before the deadline - or you may miss out!
  • In the next two terms we have two evening training sessions (Wednesday, 4th March and Monday, 11th May), where you can attend a section training - particularly important for any new Leaders or those changing sections. Alternatively, you can do 'Creating your own Website or a 'Race Round the Sections - both on 4th March, or 'Good Guiding' or Leadership Skills for Young Leaders, Senior Section members and their Leaders on 11th May. Our next Leaders' Training Day is another of the very popular Outdoors Day - a chance for a bit of fun for the Leaders - as well as a chance to learn something new to do with your girls.
  • Please remember to let Carole know if you would like to receive your attendance certificate by email.
  • Something else on the horizon - a Recruitment training on Saturday 28th March - there wilt be more information out about this in due course.
  • Jackie Broadhurst - Chairman, Programme and Training
• Thinking Day
  • When people ask "How do you find the time?" the question usually leaves me speechless. I've heard the question many times, I'd like a pound for every time, but giving an answer, well that's a struggle. I'd like to believe that just before the question they were being impressed by skilful crafting or entertained by a host of talented girls, but I. can't help thinking that they are really saying "my goodness, your house is untidy," or "I saw your husband in the take away, again."
  • I'm still relatively new to Guiding. If l was a car I'd be due an MOT and if t were a school, Ofsted would give me the once over about now, so I'm asking myself how I use the time and what kind of Leader am l?
  • In 2007 my unit marked St George's Day with an England themed 'Derby' quiz (shuffling on backwards facing chairs), had a cream tea, and bobbed up and down prom style to the sailor's hornpipe until everyone collapsed. A year later we faced challenges based on London Underground maps, not easy for girls who live in an area where even buses are rare, and expanded the programme to include St Patrick's; felt 'Leprechaun' badges and icing shamrocks, as well as St Andrew's; shortbread and reel dancing (thank goodness for YouTube). How can I use the best bits for St David's Day in the 2009 programme?
  • We've spent more time playing games with physical movement and by magic, more girls are in uniform. I need to increase the repertoire of games which they can play in Patrol teams to nurture positive and changing friendships.
  • Some Guides are very involved in planning the programme, choosing outings and leading activities, but I'd like to encourage others to take more of a lead. I think I need to spend more time listening to the quiet ones and developing strategies to avoid being distracted by the chatterboxes.
  • Perhaps next time I am asked how I find time I will explain that A.D, after driving from work and B.C, before crafts, I was an amateur housewife and a dreadful cook.
  • Julie Ely - 1st Warlingham Guides
    
• Leadership Meetings for Leaders in Training
  • The following are the dates set for the next group meetings (full details in the downloadable newsletter)
    Ashtead/ Leatherhead/Bookham - 23rd March and 8th June
  • Downs Heath - 23rd April and 18th June
  • Epsom - 9th March and 11th May
  • Godstone - 16th March and 11th June
  • Reigate -19th March and 4th June
  • Ashtead - 9th April and 9th July
  • If you are working on your Leadership please drop in on one of the sessions near you. Bring evidence of any activities you have done and we can sign off clauses for you or help you decide what you can do to complete more clauses. We meet between 7:30 and 9:15pm at all sessions so you can drop in between these times.
  • New Leaders who have not yet got their leadership books will be invited to the session nearest to them, but are welcome to attend another session if it is more convenient.
  • Leaders - if you have a Leader working on their leadership (a Leader-in-Training), come with them to the first group meeting to give them support. You can also help by taking them to your District meetings, and introduce them to other Leaders, arrange to pick them up and encourage them. The quicker they finish their Leadership modules the sooner they will have the confidence to support you in the unit.
  • We hope by holding group meetings new Leaders will get to know other Leaders in your Divisions and will then feel happier attending trainings and volunteering to help at District activities. If you cannot make any of these meetings-please let me know - ring me - email me.
  • Denise Kinrade
• Brownies Centenary Badge Competition
  • To celebrate 100 years of Guiding, Brownies in Surrey East are going 'On Safari' in 2010 at Port Lympne Wild Animal Park - can you design a badge for the occasion?
  • Things to think about!
    • You can use up to nine colours.
    • We are going to a wild animal park - so perhaps you could use an animal theme!
    • The badge must include the words 'Port Lympne 2010' and 'Brownies' and the number '100' somewhere on it! (Don't worry if your handwriting isn't very good - we can rewrite that bit, if you want us to!)
    • The final badge will be only 7 cm (3") across so don't make it too complicated!
  • The rules!
    • You must be a Brownie to enter, but it doesn't matter if you won't be a Brownie in 2010.
    • The closing date for entries is Sunday 31st May 2009.
    • Send your entry to Val Hickmott
  • The prize!
    • Your design will be made into a badge, which will be worn by every Brownie and Leader who attends the Centenary celebrations at Port Lympne in June 2010!
    • You will be invited as a VIP to join us at Port Lympne - free of charge!
    • A photo of you and your badge will be presented to you at the event.
  • For more information about the Centenary celebrations in Surrey East please contact Vat Hickmott or Avril Hancox
    
• Team Kiwi's Awesome Adventure
  • We set off on 4th August 2008 heading for Hong Kong, and we like to say we brought Hong Kong to a standstill (but actually it was a T8 typhoon that did that!). Despite the wind and rain it was still exceptionally hot - so t-shirts, shorts and very fetching plastic rain capes were the order of the day. Despite half of Hong Kong closing down, we did manage to see some of the sights, visit Guide HQ (attending a Brownie cookery class), and of course the girls shopped (& shopped)!
  • We then travelled to Auckland - and a complete difference in temperature- cold! Whilst here we took a trip up the Sky Tower (but stopped the girls bungy jumping from the top!!), visited the Auckland Museum and some of us made it to the top of the volcano on Rangitoto Island.
  • We flew down to Christchurch staying at Cracroft House, a lovely 150 year old Guide house - only problem with 150 year old houses, very little heating and it had snowed before we arrived. The girls lived in about 6 layers of clothing all week - it really wasn't that cold - honest! During this week we did our service project at the Cholmondeley Children's Home - we helped cook, sort out store rooms, helped with the gardening and when the children returned from school played and sang with them, joining them for supper each evening. Tracy and I got even more 'exclusive' jobs; we ripped up carpets and laid lino, along with the help of two very inquisitive little boys who had befriended us! More importantly we became 'waste disposal experts' - the 'waste' in question rat (or possibly possum) poo in one of the outside storage buildings - we certainly surprised ourselves!
  • We also had a visit from the local Rangers, bought Guiding biscuits from the Pippins, visited Guide HQ, went on the Gondola and trams and of course shopped. Some of us also visited the Antarctic exhibition experiencing an Antarctic storm and seeing the little blue penguins.
  • At the end of our week we had an early morning start for the Tranz Scenic train journey to Picton, with some spectacular views of the coast line and seals and penguins on the beaches. From Picton it was over on the Ferry to the North Island and Wellington.
  • Our whirlwind tour of Wellington included some of the group going mountain biking and some visiting the Zoo where Team Kiwi adopted a brown kiwi.
  • On from there to Rotorua - home of the thermal pools and the delightful smell of sulphur! Our hostel even had its own thermal pool. We visited the local Brownies and Rangers, and spent some time at a thermal village experiencing a Maori cultural show and having a traditional 'hangi' meal cooked underground in special boxes. A visit to the spa for some of us was a relaxing way to end the day, although some chose to go to the gondola and luge.
  • We flew back to Auckland on our own private jet - no we had not blown the budget! It was a 19 seat internal flight - Team Kiwi and one brave member of the public. So small it was some of our luggage had to travel on a later flight to us! Our last day in Auckland was spent doing final shopping - just what else could they find to buy!
  • We then headed home via Los Angeles. During the whole trip we travelled 40,768.98km and have flown around the world - AWESOME!
  • Carole Summers &Tracy Lovell - Leaders, Region 2008 trip
• Wanted - Doctors, Paramedics, Nurses (RGN), Firefighters, Caterers
  • for our Surrey East Centenary Camp - 25th to 30th July 2010. Are you interested? Do you think you can help us? If so please contact Jackie Broadhurst.
• Guide & Senior Section Centenary Camp
  • As you all know our exciting Centenary Camp is currently being planned. In case you have forgotten the details - it takes place at Foxlease in Hampshire from 25th to 30th July 2010. There are loads of activities planned: Abseiling and Climbing, Archery, Canoeing, Crates Challenge, Low and High Ropes and loads more besides! We need to gauge the interest to help us with our planning, so please complete and return the slip and enclose a £10.00 deposit per unit. Please do reply - as a nil response will be taken as not interested. We appreciate that all numbers given at the moment can only be approximate.
  • Download the newsletter for the form and full contact details.
  • PS Subsequent to newsletter publication Jackie has confirmed the cost of the camp at £195 for Guides & Senior Section, £50 for Leaders. Also the infomration requested is the numbers of Guides, Rangers or Young Leaders, adult Leaders and Unit Helpers, how many children (non-members up to 9 years old) of Leaders, and how many husbands/partners (for the service team). Also if anyone could help running a creche, helping with catering etc. Replies are requested by 31 March 2009.
• Newly Qualified Leaders since June 2008
  • Congratulations to all our new Leaders. Under the 'mentor' line you will see different Groups as well as individual mentors; this system is working really well and if you would like to be a group mentor please contact Denise Kinrade. The present mentor team is doing a fantastic job supporting our new Leaders, but we would like to encourage more Leaders to be mentors. You don't need to have years and years of experience, just lots of enthusiasm and the wish to meet new people, and up to date knowledge of running a unit..
  • Name, Section (Mentor)
  • Downs Heath - Elisabeth Clark, Brownies (Angela Hammond); Mary Hart-Jones, Brownies (Angela Hammond).
  • Godstone - Caroline Leeson, Guides (Lesley Bailey); Vivienne White, Rainbows (Godstone Group).
  • Leatherhead - Gillian Arnold, Dax Patel; Division Commissioners, (Gill Utting)
  • Leith Hill - Jane Stewart, Brownies (Elaine Edwards); Nikki Halsey, Heather Barratt, Rainbows (Barbara Abbott); Nicola Brett, Brownies (Bookham Group).
  • Reigate - Janett Chapman, Brownies (Sue Fairclough); Natalie Vennard, Rainbows (Roo Harmer); Karen Hancock, Brownies (Roo Harmer): Ann Thomas, Guides (Lesley Bailey)
    
  • Roo Harmer - County Leadership Verifier
• Blackland Farm - Girlguiding UK's Camping & Activity Centre
  • News and dates for your diary from the Friends of Blackland Farm.
  • We are grateful to everyone who supported our events last year and hope very much to see you again in 2009. Please note the following dates :-
    • 24 to 26th March 2009 - Friends Spring Break - Herons House. A chance to give service to the site, catch up on old friends and take part in future planning.
    • 24th June 2009 - Midsummer Madness Cream Tea - 2 - 4.30pm on Woodpecker site Tombola - Sales Stalls etc. Cost £5.50 each. Friends may arrive from 12noon if they wish to bring a picnic lunch and enjoy exploring Blackland before the Friends' event. Please bring a chair and if you have one, a small table.
    • 16th to 18th October 2009 - Social weekend and Annual Review (on 17th October at 11:00am)
  • All events take place at Blackland Farm.
  • We hope to see many of you at these events and if you require any further details or would like to become a Friend of Blackland, please contact Jean Greenaway. We are endeavouring to increase our membership all the time and new faces are very welcome.
• Centenary Boat Trip on the River Thames - Saturday 18th September 2010.
  • Download the full newsletter for contact details and the application form.
• Outdoor Activities
  • It's this time of year when we start thinking about our summer Camps, Pack Holidays and days out.
  • When planning for these events have you considered contacting your Division or County Advisor for the relevant information? Do you know what qualifications your climbing instructor should have, are you aware of the bunk bed regulations, can I sleep my Young Leaders and Brownies in the same room? Do I need a walking qualification to take the girls on the North Downs? Perhaps you are planning an Environmental day. The County Outdoor team is made up of many different advisors as listed below, please contact us - we are only too willing to help. (contact details are in the downloadable version of this newsletter)
  • Walking Advisor, Climbing Advisor, Water Safety, Camp and Pack Holiday, Environmental Advisor, Duke of Edinburgh Advisor, Outdoors Activity Advisor.
  • We are also looking for a New Boating Advisor if anyone is interested then please give me a call; boating includes, sailing, kayaking, canoeing, power boating etc. Such a wonderful outdoor activity I'm sure someone is hiding out there.
    Have a wonderful time whatever you do this summer; let's hope the weather is kind.
  • Shirley Gunner - Outdoors Activity Advisor
• Smith's Charity Applications
  • What is the Henry Smith Charity? Henry Smith was a wealthy London merchant, probably one of the wealthiest of his time, who devoted most of his vast wealth to the establishment of sources of income for charitable distribution. The charity was set up in 1628. One of these sources is the Small Grants Programme which makes grants once a year to, amongst others, Girlguiding Surrey East.
  • Surrey East can apply for a grant up to £10,000. Grants can be for one-off capital items such as hut maintenance and equipment purchase; these grants must be used within six months of being awarded Once a year Surrey East invites Leaders to make an application for funds from the Smith's Charity.
  • You are invited to complete the application form in the downloadable version of this Newsletter and return it, together with your current end of year accounts, to Margaret Frosztega by 1st May, 2009. The Charity will consider our application in September and successful applicants will receive a cheque from the County Treasurer in October 2009.
  • Gill Utting
• Brownies at the Movies
  • Inspired by flyers for Centenary events, the brave (some would say foolish!) Brown Owl of 1st Hurst Green decided to end 2008 with a special outing; three Packs in the same place, at the same time. A movie screening, suitable for Brownies, with the Cinema closed to the public.
  • 1st Warlingham's Brown Owl, encouraged by distant thoughts of the joint event in September, willingly agreed to bring her girls along, and the usually wise Brown Owl of 1st Oxted & Limpsfield, on hearing of the plan said "we'd love to come!"
  • Saturday morning arrived and so did the Brownies! They were keen and they were very early!
  • The number of Brownies waiting in the box office area rapidly outgrew the available space. The auditorium doors opened, "sit where you like", "sit with your friends" the Brownies raced from seat to seat, overwhelmed by the choice. After a quick safety briefing, excited chatter filled the air.
  • The doors closed, the lights dimmed, the curtains opened and there was silence.
  • After 45 minutes the house lights came up for an interval. A reporter from the local paper came swiftly in and the Brownies bunched up for a photo. Each Brownie was given 2 tokens to spend in the box office kiosk and queued independently to choose her drink and ice-cream before returning to her seat. A few chose different seats and new friends were found as the lights faded and the movie resumed.
  • The Brownies laughed loudly at the cheesy film and, at the end, they applauded spontaneously.
  • To the surprise of the box office staff the Brownies collected their wrappers and cups. 'Lend a hand,' we explained.
  • The Brownies all walked to Oxted Guide Hut for lunch and people came out of shops to watch the line of happy faces winding along the road. After lunch they did sewing, card making and Karaoke singing. Three expert face painters were busy until 5:00pm when the parents began to arrive. . . well, those who'd been early enough to find space to park.
  • Julie Ely - Fluffy Owl, 1st Hurst Green Brownies

The additional information is protected by an access key as it contains personal data - if you do not have this already, please email the webmaster to request it. Our site search does not include such pages.