BedsBuzzSUMMER 2012

Karen KeelingCounty Section AdvisorSenior Section

As Senior Section advisor I provideadvice on the wide range ofopportunities available to the 14-26 age group and the leaders thatsupport them. I am ably assistedby a team which provide adviceon specific areas, such as Queen’sGuide, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award,4, Rangers, Young Leaders and ASSK.

Our current projects include:Providing Young Leader awarenesstraining, basic Senior Sectionleaders training and our firstIGNITE project County Camp. Wehave generated ideas for thetheme, ceremonies, and theactivity day. We also have membersattending Gig in a Field in July.

If you have any queries or wouldlike to be involved in the teamplease contact me.

KarenCSA - Senior Section

EXCITING OPPORTUNITIES!It is amazing how many excitingopportunities there have been forgirls and adults throughout the Countysince our last edition.

Our panto Humpty Dumpty and theMagic Egg was really EGGCITING, theaudiences clapped and cheeredand the performers were all super-stars, well done to everyone involved.

We have just held the most amazingBrownie day, Pick N Mix, over 500Brownies enjoying a fun packed day ofactivities, there were smiles every-where you went.

I know many Divisions and Districtshave had brilliant events too, fundays, camps, afternoon teas and lots,lots more. This summer we have lotsto celebrate nationally with theDiamond Jubilee and the Olympics,and closer to home with Rainbow 25thbirthday parties and of course our Outof this World County Camp.

Whatever you do this summer have agreat time and I hope the sun shines.

Debbie Docherty County CommissionerAn Eggceptional Panto!

see page 2The sun shines onEast Beds Brownies

Over 200 Brownies gathered in Boyd Field,Henlow for a fabulous Jungle Activity Day. Thesun kindly came out and so did the girls. Theyjoined in activities ranging from rafting, archery,crafts, trangia cooking, climbing and of course,the bouncy castle!

Did we enjoy the eggsperience?

Oh yes - We did!Humpty Dumpty and the Magic Egg was performedat The Grove Theatre, Dunstable, Bedfordshire onthe 31st March and 1st April 2012.

It was the first of its kind, a unique EasterPantomime performed by an all female cast madeup of members of Girlguiding from six years to over60 years all from Bedfordshire County, includingthe County Commissioners!

It had all the fun of panto with booing and hissing at thewicked Wizard Eggstranasty and his wife Salmonellaand son Eggocentric, the audience participationwhen they sang and danced on and off stage withPalace Guards, the drama of watching the PalaceCourtiers and the Nursery Rhyme characters hatcha plan to get the Magic Egg back from the WickedWizard for King Eggbert and Queen Ommeletta.Thejoy of seeing the children rescued from working in thechocolate factory and finally the happiness, whenthe Princess Eggletina finally marries Humpty Dumpty,Oh! and we must not forget... The Chicken!

The backstage crew, front of house and musicians wasmade up of more Guiding members, plus familyand friends of the cast making it a ‘family experience’.

The audiences at each performance were wonderfulat joining in and in showing their appreciation forall the hard work that had made the pantomimesuch a success.

We thank all those that showed their support forthis County event including front of house, thecast, backstage and audiences and their familiesalike, we know you all had a good time.

If you missed it there is still an opportunity to seethe show as DVD’s are available for £10.00 each.Please contact Chris Daniels if you would like acopy.

Thank you to EVERYONE who joined in the Fun!See you again next time!

Chris Daniels, Show Director and her main teamMary Layzell, Marilyn Hopley and Kim Lines

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HUMPTY DUMPTY

And the magic egg

On 7th January two foolish Leaders took five brave Guides toWaddow Fever 2012. We left Luton at 8.30am and met at MiltonKeynes station where we got on our first train of the day. Several'adventures' and trains later we arrived at Clitheroe in Lancashireand walked the mile or so (seemed more whilst carrying our tents!)to Waddow, arriving around 3pm. We pitched our tents on whatstarted as a green field and ended up a mud bath. We explored thesite whilst doing a wide game and then joined with the other 250campers for the camp opening, followed by dinner.

After dinner was a campfire and then back into Waddow House fora disco and quiz for the younger members and a quiz for the lead-ers. And then bed. Our huge rucksacks contained nothing but bed-ding so we weren't too cold overnight, although not a lot of sleephappened for some people. Up early for colours and an 8am break-fast, followed by activities, including climbing and grass sledging,while Captain and Kanga were doing their best to leave Waddowmud at Waddow and not bring it back on the tents!

We left Waddow at 11am for some more adventures, which this time

included the Manchestermetro link, arriving backat MK station at 4.30pm.We had hoped for snowat Waddow but only gotmud, but maybe thatwas warmer? No-onecomplained about thecold (well Captain waswearing 8 layers!), orhaving to carry the ruck-sacks and tents, and wehad a really nice timetogether.

A great experience, but a jolly long way to go! Inspired by the eventCaptain and Kanga will be hosting a 'Haverings Winter Camp' inJanuary 2013 for Bedfordshire Guides and their leaders, so startthinking about buying more thermal undies now! Jean Weir

It was with great pleasure that I was able to enrol my daughter Helen into 20thLuton Guides. It was our District’s turn to do the Renewal of the Promises, so wethought what better place than the Thinking Day Service. We picked two girls tolead the renewal of the Guide Promise, Phoebe, the daughter of Jenny Jeffrey, ourGuide Leader andHelen, the differencebeing that Helen wasnot renewing herpromise but actuallymaking it. It’s not everyday you get to enrolyour own daughter asa Guide and its onewe won't be able toforget. Jenny Ilgunas

Anglia Guiding Day at Duxford-Tank driving proved a big hit!

Tanks for the memory...17th Bedford (Priory) Guides have been busy packing 25 backpacks for the Mary'sMeals charity, which was the fundraising part of the Together We Can resource.The charity collects ready filled backpacks and sends them to Africa to enable achild to attend school correctly equipped.

The backpacks and summer school dresses to go in them were donated by BedfordHigh School For Girls which is merging and closing down this Summer. The rest of thecontents like stationery, toiletries, flip flops, a ball etc were all donated by theGuides. We had a fantastic evening filling the backpacks - the hall was a sight tobehold with stuff everywhere!! I did have to gently persuade one or two Guidesthat an African child really didn't need five toothbrushes or six erasers though!!

We also raised £81 for the charity which they say will give eleven children a dailymeal for a whole year!. We sold sheets of dingbats to friends and family and gave

prizes of Easter eggs to the Guide whosold the most and to the winner withthe most correct answers. We alsosold cacti to parents of Rainbows,Brownies and Guides. These weredonated by my 86 yr old Father - in -Law who was having a clear out fol-lowing his decision to transfer hisaffections to geraniums!!Kirsty Combes - Unit Leader 17thBedford (Priory) Guides

2nd Stopsley Guides get Waddow Fever !

Proud Mum at Luton North Division Thinking Day Clare to lead Peru Trip

Charity Backpacks for Africa

Clare Wilmot, from Luton South Division, has beenoffered the opportunity to lead an internationaltrip to Peru this Summer representing GirlguidingAnglia. The charity they will support is KiyaSurvivors. She has wanted to do this for manyyears so is delighted to have this opportunity. Youcan find out more about the charity at:

www.kiyasurvivors.orgThe group comprises five girls aged 15 and 16 andanother leader from Buckinghamshire. The groupcomes from across the Anglia region and they planto hold a get together before the trip. Clare hasmade items to raise funds for her trip, she is sellinghandmade notebooks and sewing kits, homemademarmalade and a wordsearch competition. If you areinterested in finding out more or want to supporther fundraising please contact her. She also plansa Dawn Hike and has invited the Guides from herDistrict to take part.

Sixteen excited Guides and four even more excited leaders boarded the coach forBirmingham and the Big Gig in March. We stopped at a service station, and metmore Guides on their way – including Guides from Barton-le-Clay. I think this gaveus some idea of the scale of the event.

We arrived to find the car park already full of coaches and a long walk to thearena so we found somewhere to have lunch, and then continued on our way pastloads of people selling posters, t-shirts and lots of other paraphernalia.

The arena filled up quickly, with girls in all sorts of costumes. When the lightswent down, all you could see was coloured lights from “bunny ears” worn bymany of the girls. It was a spectacular sight! We saw The Saturdays, ConorMaynard, Charlene Soraia, Matt Mardle, Rita Ora, Alexandra Burke, Rizzle Kicksand Olly Murs. All the acts encouraged the girls to sing along, and scream. I canvouch for the fact that 14,000 girls screaming is an ear-piercing sound.

The show lasted two and a half hours, and the time just flew by. The girls boughtposters on the way out, and we eventually got back to the coach. We all had awonderful day – one that you would like to bottle and bring out when you needcheering up! Thank you Girlguiding UK for providing yet another event for us allto enjoy and have fun!Anne Gibbons - Leader, 1st Wardown Guides

1st Wardown Guides go to the Big Gig 2012

Girls from both Luton Divisions enjoyed a fun packedday of races and crafts from around the world onSaturday 14th May at Stockwood Park DiscoveryCentre. After the opening ceremony, which the Mayorand Mayoress attended, and banners from countriesaround the world were paraded, the girls, aged 5 - 15,enjoyed running, obstacle, hurdle and egg and spoonraces outside in the sunshine. Each girl who enteredgot a medal, the winners, 1st, 2nd and 3rd all a podiumplace with a cup for 1st place.

Rainbows, Brownies and Guides took part in all theevents ranging from outside races to inside crafts fromall around the world. There was origami and a ‘greatwall’ for them to write memories of the day on repre-senting China, sand pictures from Australia, God’s Eyesfrom Mexico, and more crafts from Brazil, Tunisia,Greece and of course from Great Britain too. Amongstthe leaders and other helpers, there were also fifteenmembers of the local Trefoil Guild on hand to helpwith some of the crafts.

Parents and siblings were encouraged to join in all theevents. We ended the day with a campfire, singingsome traditional but also some fun action campfiresongs which the girls enjoyed.

Our washing line of t-shirts to promote Girlguiding at theevent was very kindly sponsored by local bus companyArriva.

TheStockwoodGames

CongratulationsCounty Good Service Awards have been presented to:

Julie Storey, Rachel Hayler, Diane Butler, Sue Champkins and Jane Thompson

Bedfordshire Brooches have been presented to: Chris Daniels, Marilyn Hopley and Carolyn Allen

Klaire Wagstaff has been presented with her Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

Christina Hunt has completed the Queen’s Guide Award

Luton South Division Haverings Fund Raising Committee held twosuccessful events on the weekend of 27th/28th April 2012On the evening of Friday 27th April more than 65 people enjoyeda Chilli Supper. The evening started with Sangria followed byNachos and dips, the main meal consisted of Jacket Potato, saladand of course Chilli. This was all finished off by a choice of homemade sweets.

The entertainment was provided by David and Lil Holloway, theyplayed many well known tunes on the fairground organ which theyuse to raise money for AV a charity for the Deaf. They first startedsupporting the charity when their Granddaughter was born deaf andrequired implants.

We gave them a donation towards their charity and many of the dinersalso added to their fund. A very good evening was had by all andthe sum of £448.20 was raised for Haverings.

This supper was followed the next day with a Bluebell walk andCoffee Morning. Unfortunately the weather was not kind to us as itrained very heavily. However we were still lucky enough to have anumber of people come along to support us even if some only sawthe Bluebells from the windows. With the help of Coffee, Cakes anda Tombola stall we raised a further £141.05.

Thank you to all our supporters

A Marathon

and a Half!

Well done to Emma Wright whohas just completed one and ahalf very wet marathons!“I ran the marathon after hearing about the GirlguidingUK charity place for the London 2012 marathon, Ithought it would be a fabulous opportunity to run theLondon Marathon in the Olympic Year and support acharity very close to my heart and a huge part of mylife! Sadly I didn’t get the entry place so I thought Iwould run in the Milton Keynes first Marathon instead.

I got around the half marathon on 4th March in articconditions in a gruelling 2 hours and 14 minutes. Thefull marathon, in very wet and rainy conditions wasaccomplished in 4 hours and 45 minutes even after an injury just past the half way point.” Emma

BLUEBELLS IN THE RAIN

15th Luton Brownies were visitedby local PCSO's who came to helpthem finish their crime preventionbadge.

They had a great time wearingreflective police jackets completewith walkie talkies and learnt alot of new things from their visitors.They were then all delighted tobe awarded their badges.

Woburn Sands District Thinking day was held on 26thFebruary at Cranfield Lower School.Amanda Buckmaster

Last Spring & Summer every girl and leader in PolhillDistrict was given the opportunity to 'create' a memoryof Guiding from 2010.

I then assembled thememories into a quilt.I started sewing inAugust 2011 and itwas finished just intime to display it atour World ThinkingDay Event. Stella Good

www.bedsguiding.org.uk website email: sue.champkins@cool-icon.com

Beds Buzz - Editor Diane Butler email: diane@collingwood-design.co.uk

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Copy deadline for Next Edition - 1st October 2012

North Beds Flag Dedication Ceremony

Farewell to Mary

Brownies learn about crime prevention

Luton South Division Celebrates World Thinking Day

The Polhill Quilt

Woburn Sands District Thinking Day

1st Shillington Guidesdecided on a Scottishtheme for their entry inShillington’s annualChristmas Tree Festival.The tree was muchadmired by visitors andthe traditional Scottishshortbread enjoyed byall!Kathy Carroll

Christmas Treewith TartanTheme...

On Saturday 25th February, Luton South Division Guides marked WorldThinking Day with a Celebration at Stopsley Baptist Church.

Rainbows; Brownies; Guides; Senior Section and Leaders gathered for thecelebration, marking one of the most significant dates in the guiding calendar.

The 200 girls and young women took part in 5 activities to represent thecontinents of the world, they made edible safari jeeps in Africa; decoratedmasks in America; made fans and did origami in Asia; sung in Australasia and

learnt to line dance in Europe, all culminating in acelebration attended by dignitaries from the townincluding the Mayor; Gavin Shuker MP and Sir Graham Bright.

Much-loved Girl Guiding Volunteer Mary Martin fromStopsley has said farewell to Luton South DivisionGuides after 38 years of volunteering. She has runHaverings Guide Trading Depot since 1974 and hasserved hundreds of leaders, parents and girls over theyears. Mary was presented with flowers and a gift to thankher for all her hard work at her last evening at Haverings.

Wilden Guides show off their new flag to the congregationof St Nicholas.

Wilden Guides also shownhere at an out-dooradventure at GrafhamWater last September.They enjoyed the greatcamp site with excellentfacilities. Sheila