Guide News - April 2010
If this issue of Guide News looks a bit thin on the ground, that's because we have put lots of information onto different pages because we know you will want to come back and visit the site again and again! Check out the County Calendar, Forthcoming Events, International Opportunities, In4mers, G@SSS and Achievements
Follow this link for an electronic version of April's Guide News. It is password protected because it contains home contact details. If you don't know the password, which is the same as the County Directory, just send us an email.
Editorial
As you are all no doubt aware our new Guide Headquarters at Townhead Street is now completed. The journey from purchase to conclusion has been a long and sometimes slightly rocky path, with a few pitfalls and steep learning curves along the way not to mention sleepless nights – blue or grey chairs? Are the teapots big enough? Will the front door have a letter box? (Answer yes and big enough to open the door from the outside as it turned out) I personally have learned so much from overseeing the project and have become quite a dab hand at bartering and asking for discounts from companies who have never heard such cheeky requests before but have played the game never the less.By the time you read this you may well have attended our Open Evening on 29/4 and have (with any luck) been pleased with what we have achieved with the building. The IT room on the first floor can be used by anyone who doesn’t have access to a computer or internet to complete unit accounts or access the GO database. The ground floor can be used for meetings, play rehearsals, trainings, Arts and Crafts days; the possibilities are many and varied. Also on the first floor we have a smaller meeting area for committee meetings, District or Division get togethers and socials – what ever the need we aim to accommodate you.
I am aware that Guide House cannot be all things to all people, but do feel that we have made the best of what we’ve got. We will all have to get used to changes in the way we can access the office, less car parking and so on, though I feel the advantages far outweigh any minor inconveniences and with your support and cooperation I’m sure we can make the transition from Trippet Lane to Townhead Street a smooth one.
There are a good many people who have come forward (or had their arm twisted ever so gently) to offer their professional services in getting the building up and running. I am enormously grateful to them all. I have been so pleased (and proud) to hear many of them say that we do such a great job in volunteering that they have been only too pleased to come to our aid.
My thanks to Julie for having the faith in me to let me loose in the first place and of course to Gillian for having the vision and nerve to kick start the whole process. This project has been my privilege, my nemesis and my pleasure, and in it’s completion I have reached my centenary mountain top. Girlguiding Sheffield will proudly show its name to all who pass by Guide House, letting everyone know that 100 years on we’re still thriving, still relevant and very definitely here to stay
Guide House – not the most imaginative of names, but it’s where we live!
Judy (Hulley)______________________________Go to Top of Page______________________________
2 activities you may be interested in pursuing for your girls (recommended by Jan Cole)
Sheffield Museums are starting to do Sleep overs. Contact Caroline Pantling, Family & Informal Learning Coordinator, caroline.pantling@museumssheffield.org.uk (Weston Park, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TP)
Yoga4UK will do training in Yoga for leaders or Yoga sessions with the girls. Contact: info@yoga4.org or see www.yoga4.org
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WANTED
Service crew for Sheffield centenary camp
To help with the following jobs
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Directing girls arriving and leaving
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Set up camp
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Supporting Sub Camps
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Litter picking
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Clearing up
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Toilet Cleaning
The camp runs from Thursday 26th to Monday 30th August BUT help is needed from Wednesday 25th to Tuesday 31st August. COST £10.00
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If you are a member of the senior section
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can come for all or part of the camp
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and are happy to muck in with anything!
INTERESTED? Then send an e-mail to Sue Shelley (details in County Directory) stating when you can come.
Applications accepted for all the camp or just one day.
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OAC Update
Feedback
Thank you to those who gave feedback following my questionnaire in the last Guide News. Unfortunately not many people responded but the management committee will look at the feedback that was provided. If anyone else wants to contribute please get in touch.
Car parking
We can’t increase parking capacity at the OAC so this problem won’t disappear. If you are visiting for an evening why not meet your girls on Ringinglow Road and walk them down? This works very successfully for one unit.
OAC working day
Unfortunately Woodchip was cancelled this year but I was delighted that about 14 volunteers spent a full day at the OAC on Saturday 13 March and managed to work on the archery area and cut back trees and brambles encroaching on the adventure course. The very poor weather over winter meant that the wardens had not been able to do as much work outdoors so this was a great help. If your unit is visiting the OAC during the summer term and would like to volunteer some practical help do get in touch with the wardens.
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People were so kind……
I am exceedingly grateful to all those who lent items for the centenary show but I still have a few items left at my house with no apparent name and the team and I can’t remember who may be the owners! If they are yours and you are offering them as a permanent prop then please say.
They are:
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A khaki framed rucksack
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A small khaki satchel type knapsack
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A Hessian shopping bag.
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2x 1960’s Guide handbooks.
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CDs “songs that won the war”; Daily express “1950’s hits of the decade”; Tapes “Hits of the sixties”; “Come on and sing” (GG)
Thanks - Dianne Bollom
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Are you be willing to be a First Response Trainer for the County?
If so be prepared to undertake the First Aid at Work Course and then take approximately two sessions a year? A Rewarding role!!
Contact Debbie Timms (details in County Directory)
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SPLASHDOWN 2010
25th to 27th June
Rother Valley Country Park
Splashdown is open to all Guides and Rangers in Sheffield. An area is set aside for Guides to camp BUT it is possible for you to camp in other sites if you wish.
For all the event information and booking details visit the website www.splashdown.info Please send your ‘intention to camp’ reply via the website remembering to still fill in the usual form in order to camp.
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Young Leader Coordinator
This is to let you know that I have stepped down from the role of County YL Coordinator and until a new person is appointed, Jo Hutchinson will be looking after things. I am still continuing in my district YL roles and am happy to give advice and support to anyone based on my experience in this role. Jo will continue to use-mail to keep a network of information flowing in support of you in your new roles. Jo’s e-mail address is in the County Directory.
Lynne
Hello everyone
Firstly, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Lynne for all her hard work, she set up a great network and worked very hard to keep you all in touch with information for your YLs. Secondly, I would like to reiterate that if you need anything please get in touch with me. Hopefully you will continue to pass information to your YLs and encourage them to participate in advertised events.
The first thing I would like to bring to their attention is the Centenary camp. This is a fantastic opportunity for the girls to participate at reduced cost, in return for their assistance at camp. Please encourage them to apply to Sue to participate!
Jo Hutchinson
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Intending to take your Camp
or Holiday Licence this Year
Do you need Training?
There is currently no planned Camp/Holiday Training planned for this year due to
the
number of Centenary Events, and the Islands Camp in August, where you can take
your
Brownies/Guides without a licence.
However if you are completing your Licence and need training, please contact me
and I will
look at what we can arrange.
Anyone who is thinking of taking their Licence next year is advised to contact
their District
Commissioner early. There will be Training planned for next year, details will
be circulated
nearer the time, but please do get in touch so I can ensure we arrange
appropriate training.
Heather Todd
Outdoor Activities Advisor
01246 297308 / 07966 268928 heather17t@yahoo.co.uk
