County Newsletter October 2008

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

• From the County Commissioner
  • Dear all
  • Another start of the Guiding year, and I hope you are all refreshed from the summer, though probably a bit soggy as well. I have heard about a few events and the fun everyone has had. Great to hear and thanks to all of you who gave up some of your holidays again. For myself, being dunked in the reservoir at Blacklands and cleaning off the mud will linger in the memory, but the girls certainly thought it was hugely entertaining.
  • With Change the World and the Centenary upon us there is a lot going on and you may feel a bit at sea and confused by it all. We have dedicated this edition of the Newsletter to the Centenary to let you know what we know or what the County is planning. It sounds as if we could have a very exciting couple of years and I hope you will all find some activities of interest to you and your girls. We have done a little market research and a big birthday party was suggested so we hope to oblige. But we need to listen to what the girls want so please ask for their views and send them in.
  • The Centenary planning is in need of volunteers to help in so many roles, and will need people on the days undertaking jobs. This is a lovely way to get involved for a short time with something a little different,. I would encourage you to think about the roles outlined in the Newsletter and consider stepping forward. As we have seen with Scoutabout, if everyone does a little we can achieve amazing things.
  • So, here's wishing you fun and excitement as we Change the World.
  • 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
• Things you can borrow from Reigate Division
  • We have 2 badge machines that not only make badges but keyrings, little mirrors, and magnets. You only pay for the parts you use and return the rest.
  • Short tennis set.
  • Pyrography machine for doing patterns on wood ( suitable for adults and older Guides).
  • Parachute ( property of Roo).
  • Roo Harmer
• Welcome to this special edition of the Newsletter which will give you all the up to date news about our plans to celebrate one hundred years of Guiding.
  • 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 there will be plenty of really big parties and no doubt lots of birthday cakes!
  • Before we start our centenary we have a year of challenges called 'Changing the World'. This gives us a chance to make a real difference to people less fortunate than ourselves as well as helping the environment, and starts in September 2008. Did you know that you belong to the most respected youth movement in the UK? 70 charities applied to get involved in the Changing the World project and 19 have been selected as offering appropriate ideas and activities for all our members, from Rainbows to the Trefoil Guild. Details will be available from Guiding magazine and your Commissioners, so do join in and get started.
  • The Centenary year begins on Saturday 5th 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.
  • We will be launching our celebrations on 5th September 2009 at Lingfield Park Racecourse and hope everyone will be there. We are planning a wonderful afternoon of crafts, games and fairground attractions for members of all ages. We anticipate that Divisions and Districts will want to organise coaches to bring everyone in together from 2:30pm onwards. The event will close at about 8:30pm after a speech from the County Commissioner and a parade of standards and uniforms from all decades, finishing up with a firework display. If Rainbow Mums complain about the late night, do remind them that it is a once in a lifetime opportunity. The cost of joining in the fun is likely to be in the region of £18 per person including transport.
  • The Brownies will be able to enjoy a wonderful day out on Saturday 19th June 2010, when we've arranged for them to have a day at Port Lympne Zoo in Kent. This event will include an African Safari bus ride, talks about the animals from keepers and a chance to adopt an animal, as well as a competition for the best animal mask. This day really does have a wow factor and will cost approximately £19.50 plus coach travel.
  • We've taken over most of Foxlease in the New Forest, where Guides and Senior Section will camp from Sunday 25th July until Friday 30th July. This is a wonderful site and there will be lots of exciting and challenging activities from the ten decades of Guiding. The County Commissioner will prepare a letter for adults to give employers in the hope that you'll be given time off work to attend. In addition, you will find Mums are keen to take part; you just need to get them CRB'd well in advance. The cost of the camp is not yet decided, but we hope to transport most of the participants in a special train! The cost of this method of travel should be in the region of £12.50 per person.
  • The Rainbows will also have a very special day, when they will be enjoying 100 different activities. Details to follow as soon as possible.
  • An event for Guiders and Unit Helpers has been arranged for Saturday 19th September 2010, when we shall be hiring a boat to take us on a four-hour trip on the Thames from Greenwich to Chelsea and back. The event will include a buffet lunch and is likely to cost £40, including coach travel.
  • Surrey East Trefoil Guild will be holding a Centenary Celebratory Supper on Wednesday 20th October 2010. More details to follow.
  • The Centenary celebrations will come to an end on the evening of 20th October 2010, when we are all invited to renew our Promise at 20:10. Divisions have been asked to organise this event and there will be a special Promise badge for everyone who renews her Promise that night.
  • Finally, do get involved in celebrating the Centenary! We want to see you all at the Launch which will mark the start of a fantastic year for us all, as well as at the Section events. It is hoped that nobody will be put off by the cost of an event; if anyone is unable to pay, a Commissioner should be consulted. We really do want everyone to get the most out of this opportunity.
  • Needless to say we shall be asking for volunteers nearer the time. At the moment we just need people to come forward to help on the Launch Site and Activities Committees. Jobs on offer include seeking people to run activities and crafts, planning the ceremonial aspect, inviting members of the Senior Section to look after the VIPs who will be joining us, and keeping an eye on the finances. We shall also need lots of administrative help and people to co-ordinate the day. Offers of help to Tessa Howell please as soon as possible.
• Centenary News from CHQ
  • A brochure 'The Ways to Celebrate' will be issued in January 2009 and this will give ideas for celebrations locally.
  • In September 2009, a photography project 'Catch the Moment' will be launched, and the story-gathering project will begin to collect stories of Guiding in past decades from those willing to share their memories.
  • We hope all our Senior Section members will be joining in the County activities but, if these are not enough for you, a Centenary promotional postcard will be released this autumn to further promote opportunities for Senior Section members to take part in the Centenary celebrations.
  • There will be a Big Gig - Centenary Special in October / November 2009.
  • A Festival of World music, dance and drama will be held on Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st February 2010. The cost will be £10 per person for both girls and adults. Events will take place in each Country and Region but you can attend any event with your Unit. There will be an IT link between each event and there will be places for 18,000 members over the weekend.
  • A service to celebrate World Thinking Day will be held in Westminster Abbey on 27th February 2010.
    For the Senior Section, a Centenary Innovate is planned for February / March 2010.
  • Surrey East will be involved in the creation of a garden at the RHS Hampton Court Flower Show in July 2010.
  • The CHQ Planning Team will hold a Centenary Camp in the grounds of Harewood House, near Leeds, from 31st July until 7th August 2010, and a Centenary Spectacular there on 5th August 2010.
  • In September 2010, houses connected with Guiding will be open for public viewing, and these will include the Training and Activity Centres such as Foxlease. If you expect to be on holiday in a different part of the UK that month, it will be worth watching for the list of houses open in your area, as well as those local to us.
  • The Young Women's World Forum will meet in October 2010 and there will be more details about this, and all the other events, nearer the time.
  • The Visual Projects team have identified suppliers for a whole range of Centenary display materials, from banners and pop-up stands to outdoor feather sails and outdoor eyelet banners. More details will follow later in the year. Keep an eye on the PRA resources area on the Girlguiding UK website.
  • The Girlguiding UK Hot Air Balloon is a small two-person balloon and can be hired for events - Girlguiding UK members and supporters run it at cost, entirely voluntarily.
  • If anyone is interested in booking it for an event, please ask Tessa Howell for details.
• Walton Firs
  • Earlier this year I reported that the Walton Firs Foundation had sent a letter of intention to the Scout Association to exercise their option to purchase the site. I can now let you know that The Foundation bought the site from the Association on 27th June 2008. The lease to Surrey Scouts expired on 30th June and the Foundation became responsible for running the site from 1st July 2008.
  • The site is now known as the 'Walton Firs Activity Centre'. However, that is the only change! The Wardens, Dave and Sue McIntosh, are remaining as Wardens and both are retaining their connection with Scouting through the County appointments that they hold with Surrey Scouts. The site will still offer the same facilities - camping, archery, climbing, abseiling etc., and it is hoped that the service team members will stay on as, without them, the site could not operate in the way that it does.
  • The purchase of the site brings to an end a period of uncertainty that has lasted for the last few years. It has been a magnificent effort to raise nearly £800,000 in just under two years to purchase the site. Thank you once again to everyone who has contributed to this total to ensure that the site remains available for the use by young people from Surrey and the surrounding area for many years to come.
  • Richard Shortman - County Commissioner Surrey Scouts
• Recruitment
  • Last Newsletter we featured recruitment. Since then we have had a couple of really successful evenings which have provided new Leaders, and I have also heard of District recruitment successes. Well done everyone and welcome to new Leaders. We have been beavering away on a Welcome pack for new Leaders and this and lots of things will be on the website soon.
  • But however good we are at recruitment it is not fair to expect anyone to try to rescue the unit with a couple of weeks or two days notice which is what happened last summer.
  • Please, please ladies, if you think you may step down, please give your DC a term's notice so that we can get replacements in place in good time.
  • Your Unit is not yours to close - talk to your DC in good time.
  • Margaret
• Ewell Trefoil Guild Member awarded the MBE
  • Pam Galliers, member of Ewell Trefoil, has been awarded the MBE for her hard work and commitment to foster care. She retired from fostering in April at the age of 69.
  • Over the past 42 years Pam has fostered 133 children from babies to 12 year olds, as well as bringing up her own family. The children fostered included ones with challenging behaviour, learning difficulties and a child with autism. She still keeps in touch with many of the children and is even Godmother to one of them. She was also an assessor for the Fostering team at one time.
  • Pam knew from the age of 8 that she wanted to work with children. She says that it was hard work and that a sense of humour is required, but giving children a loving home and watching them blossom has been immensely rewarding.
• Trefoil Guild
  • Trefoil Guild members acted as assessors at the International Selection weekend. Hard work but worthwhile to select the right girls to travel abroad.
  • A team of 3 were also present at the Guide Region Review - to promote the Trefoil Guild, with rather smart hessian bags, which were given to each delegate.
  • A team of Trefoil Guild members helped with serving lunch on Saturday and Sunday of Scoutabout and were very impressed with the catering and serving arrangements. Well done the Surrey East catering team.
  • About 75 TG members from various Surrey Guilds attended the Friend's Day at Foxlease on July 5th. An extended marquee was provided for the AGM and speaker, and tea for about 300 was served behind the house. Luckily the weather was good and the Foxlease team worked so hard to make the whole day a success.
  • So there is plenty going on for our Surrey Trefoil Guild members - do contact us if you would like to join Trefoil Guild.
  • Jenny Mihalop - County Trefoil Chairman
• Mileage
  • Please note the mileage rate (for expenses claims) increased to 40p per mile as from 1st September 2008.
    
• County Trip to Sweden
  • During the Spring break in April 10 Guides and Young Leaders from around the County travelled to Gothenburg in Sweden for a 5-day visit, along with 3 Leaders.
  • We stayed in a Youth Hostel, cooking for ourselves, except for a one-meal treat when we ate at the Hard Rock Café on Gothenburg's swish shopping street, The Avenue. We explored Gothenburg, including a 'cultural' visit to the city Art Gallery, and also took a ferry out to one of the islands in the archipelago just off the coast near Gothenburg. We also explored the canals and River Göta, going under lots of low bridges, including one called the Hairdresser - if you don't duck, it rearranges your hair!
  • Sadly, we were unable to meet up with any Swedish Guides. We did, however, meet other 'internationals' at the hostel.
  • We would like to thank everyone who supported our fund-raising efforts, including Sainsbury's in Kiln Lane, where we spent part of Easter Saturday packing bags.
  • Janet Warren - CIA
• International
  • Congratulations to Sarah Allen (Reigate Division) who has been selected to lead a Region trip to Our Cabaña next summer.
    
  • If you are taking your girls to Capital Jig next year, you need to complete your G/P form (permission to plan) in the next few weeks - and before you commit to spending any money. If you need any help with the forms, please contact me.
  • Janet Warren - CIA
• Newly Qualified Leaders since June 2008
  • Congratulations to all our new Leaders, and many thanks to Denise Kinrade and her 'army' of mentors who do a wonderful job supporting Leaders through the various modules.
  • Name, Section (Mentor)
  • Downs Heath - Maria Johnson, Brownies (Eloise Lawrence); Lucy Pittock, Brownies (Suzanne Stephens.
  • Godstone - Amy Lovell, Brownies (Godstone Group); Michaela Pearce, Rainbows & Guides (Godstone Group and Denise K); Natasha Perry, Brownies (Denise K. & Sue Fairclough).
  • Leatherhead - Annabel Webb, Rainbows (George Ede)
  • Leith Hill - Sophie Buckland, Brownies (Roo Harmer); SallyAnne White, Brownies (Roo Harmer); Jane Taylor, Rainbows & Brownies (Rosemarie Belcher).
  • Reigate - Helen Haymes, Guides (Amanda Rayner); Cathy McDonough, Brownies (Maggie Chappell); Sue Fairclough, Guides (Denise Kinrade)
    
  • Roo Harmer - County Leadership Verifier
• Centenary Plans
  • Last week l gave the Guides and oldest Brownies a note about a special camp for our Centenary. Because l'd received the details during the summer holidays l had been at my most efficient, but l could see from their bewildered faces that they had no idea what they would be doing in 2 weeks time; the prospect of 2 years sent them all into 'computer says No!' mode. I explained that parents really appreciate early notice and that lots of adults were working hard to ensure that it would be a fantastic celebration and a year where we can show the best bits of Guiding, all of the time. Little did l know that, 2 weeks later, l would be seriously asking myself whether we'd survive to see the Centenary.
  • We meet in a 20 year old portacabin, fondly referred to as the Guide Barn. The previous one burned down, but there's always been one on the site. We're a local landmark! The floor surface has been worrying us for some time. Despite repairing parts, it has continued to deteriorate. We have £3,000 towards repairs but a new floor will cost considerably more and, disappointingly, help that was promised last year has not materialised. Mice have moved into our store cupboard; not the end of the world, or indeed unusual for Guide Huts; however the doors, fire escape and ceiling need attention too. After an emergency meeting, we took the decision to move out until we can make it a safe place for children to play.
  • We are very fortunate that a local social club have offered us a temporary home. They have generously said we can stay for 12 months, which is fantastic. We are very grateful. There won't be any room for our equipment, resources or display but for now we can keep going. The Round Table sent us £50 as a gesture of support, and is organising reputable local builders to estimate realistically whether the Barn can still be repaired. We will soon know just how much fund raising we are going to need to do.
  • So next time some one asks, "What are you planning for the Centenary?" I shall chirp "to keep going!"
  • If by some miracle we enter 2010 with a Barn that has another 20 years ahead of it, we'll be having the biggest and best centenary party we can plan - and you'll all be invited!
  • Julie - 1st Warlingham Guides
    
• Brownies Tropical Fun Day
  • As part of our warrant we have each organised at least one event with another Unit/Pack. A bigger group of girls is challenging, but a bigger adult team means the chance to have a different role. Each time l have had the chance to join with another Unit, l've really enjoyed the experience and it's given me new strings to my bow. When l was offered the chance to be part of a joint Brownie Fun Day for 1st Hurst Green and 1st Warlingham, l was delighted. The theme, which must have been inspired by thoughts of warmer weather, was 'Tropical' and a date was fixed for early in September.
  • Saturday morning arrived with a promise of 20 degrees and we weren't disappointed. We met at Oxted's Guide Hut an hour before the Brownies. Two rounds of coffee later the place had been transformed by 'mosquito' nets, plastic flowers, a beach umbrella and yellow balloons.
  • On arrival, the girls were welcomed by Little Owl and immediately offered refreshments; well, some of them had a 20 minute drive to get there! Two of my fantastic Guides had also volunteered to help for the day and they got the Brownies busy creating Passports and 'stamping' visas. We sung 'Good Morning Dear Brownie' before launching into a morning full of messy crafts. We made shell bracelets, decorated postcards with sand and created amazingly effective tropical sea scene 'portholes', which were just paper plates glued together after cutting the centre from one and replacing it with some clear plastic film.
  • We hired a professional steel pan workshop (highly recommended if you are thinking of something similar) and the Brownies split into 2 groups to perform their own steel band in the garden of the Hut. Our team of volunteer face painters (which contained 1 very talented artist and a Brown Owl who's quite expert after 2 hours 'on the job' practice) adorned the Brownies with dolphins, flowers, palm trees; infact anything the Brownies could think of! The most creative Brownies still found time to make tissue flower leis from cut drinking straws, whilst the active ones learned to limbo!
  • All of the girls really enjoyed the chance to get together with another Pack and do something different, in a different place. We had a couple of mums as helpers, both have offered to help again 'anytime . . . ' The feedback from Brownies has shown it was well worth the planning and the hard work. Hmmm . . . . any ideas for next year?
  • Julie Ely - 1st Warlingham Guides
    
• Very many Congratulations to
  • Claire Baker of 1st Cuddington Brownies on gaining her Queen's Guide Award.

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