BITE-SIZE BADGES
Twenty three Brownie Guides from our own packs (Mon, Tue & Thur) took part
in this activity afternoon on Saturday 12 December 2009 at Epsom Methodist
Church.
There were a number of
different craft activities on offer to the girls who were able to work
towards their Brownie Craft Badge by completing at least three different
crafts. This was easily achievable thanks to the fantastic support and
creativity shown by the leaders – my thanks to Phil Allen, Kathy Castledine,
Jo Elphick (Nork Brownies) and to the team of ladies from the Wesley
Quilters.
Most
of the girls went home with an armful of ‘creations’ and all
seemed
to thoroughly enjoy the afternoon.
It is likely that another
Bite-size Badges event will be planned later in the year to look at a
different badge.
Foxlease 2010
17 brownies and 3
Guiders set off on Friday 12th. March in a mini coach, bound
for Foxlease, a Guiders Training centre, in the New Forest. We’ve been
there many times before and always had a great time (and this time was
no different.) We had a great journey down and arrived just in time for
the evening meal (always a good start!)
The theme of the
weekend was Alice in Wonderland and was an ongoing part of our centenary
celebrations. The first activity was to make hats for the Mad Hatters
tea party which was on Saturday. We were late to bed that night but that
made no difference to our Brownies who were so excited! I think they got
some sleep but I’m not sure how much!!!
The next day
started with Archery and a bit of electronic orienteering. After that we
had a craft session, making bags, photo frames, Fymo models and
Mothering Sunday cards. In the afternoon we had a treasure trail into
the lovely village of Lyndhurst-the New Forest Village famous for having
the grave of the original Alice, the little girl for whom Lewis Carroll
wrote the stories, in the church yard. However more famous still is the
wonderful old fashioned sweet shop on the high street, which we have
decided, unanimously, is the best sweet shop in the world which may be
the reason we were late back to Foxlease for the Mad Hatters tea party
which was, true to its name, mad. The staff of Foxlease and some Guiders
had dressed up as the characters in the story and made such a tremendous
effort. ‘Off with her head’ was heard resounding around the hall all
evening! To say we were exhausted at bed time is an understatement, even
the Brownies settled reasonably quickly.
Sunday started
with yet another lovely meal and then we were baking jam tarts. Lovely
and messy! Hopefully the Queen of Hearts would like them or we’d all be
beheaded.
Then we had a
wide game which incorporated all sorts of activities. I was at a singing
game station and Eagle Owl (Louise Goolnik) was at the ‘make your own
revolting drink’ station. Specky Owl (Joyce Townsend) had the dubious
pleasure of going around with a group of 12 Brownies. Well done Joyce
although I think the Queen felt you could have done better with the
mobile!!!
A very tired but
happy group got back on the mini coach and thankfully had a good journey
home. We thank God for the good weather we had and for all the people at
Foxlease who worked so hard to give us such a great weekend.
Brown Owl (Heather
Blakeburn)
