CELEBRATING SUCCESS - Bedfordshire Guiding

Girlguiding Bedfordshire
Annual Review 2008/09
CELEBRATING
SUCCESS

CELEBRATING SUCCESS
Congratulations to the following members who have achieved qualifications or awards
Girlguiding Good Service
Awards
Kathy Carroll
Chris Daniels
Jan Hooley
Marilyn Hopley
Anne Maynard
Bedfordshire Brooches
Betsy Marley
Sheila Morton
Sue Parrish
Thanks Badge
Adrian Maynard
Community Awards
Sue Champkins -
Mayor of Luton’s Award
Brian Champkins –
Mayor of Luton’s Award
Sophie Dackombe –
High Sheriff of Bedfordshire Award
Nancy Watkin –
Mayor of Ampthill’s Award
Nominated for Bedfordshire
Young Person of the Year
Awards 2009
Sophie Ben Taieb
Sarah Hunt
Carrie Smith
Queen’s Guide Award
Louise Forder
Lora Harvey
Rachel Hayler
Sarah Hunt
Carrie Lake
Nikki Lake
Katie Robertson
Duke of Edinburgh Award
Gold Award
Kelly Gates
Silver Award
Ellen Axon
Claire Davidson
Amy Hack
Emily Heywood
Lindsey Pannell
Rachel Robinson
Bronze Award
Claire Cavender
Residential Qualifications
Brownie Indoor Qualification
Lorraine Axford
Kirsty Champkins
Claire Hornsby
Lynn Marshall
Julie Matthews
Karen Murray
Danielle Norman
Donna Prestana
Sharon Tanner
Overnight Qualification
Helen Gebler
Sandra Watson
Guide Residential Qualification
(Guide Camp Licences)
Mary Gadsden
Meshelle Headley
Guide Indoor Qualification
Cathy Jones
Senior Section Indoor
Qualification
Philipa Tolley
Caterer Qualification
Debbie Docherty
Baden-Powell Awards
Riah Andrews
Hannah Badham
Hannah Bigot
Ruth Carter
Hayley Chandler
Sophie Cleak
Sarah Combes
Elizabeth Davies
Charlotte Dixon
Emily Dove
Molly Edwards
Izzy Faiers
Lizzy Farren
Gemma Ford
Charlotte Gaunt
Sarah Gillborn
Katie Hill
Alex Hollywell-Rolfe
Emily Human
Roxie Houghton
Kirsty Johnson
Kirsty Kalyon
Amy Kyle
Megan Lack
Charlotte Lamb
Jessica Lewis
Alice Littleworth
Emily Longden
Jessica Martin-Smith
Molly McGibbon
Katie Meridith
Nicola Milbourn
Daisy Monk
Amy Novis
Jessica Openshaw
Jodie Orange
Emma Owen
Hannah Pearson
Hannah Rourke
Brooke Rowan
Rosalind Tucker
Emily Varnalls
Iona Watt
Rebekah Willoughby
Leadership Qualification
Kelly Armstrong
Catherine Binny
Katherine Eagle
Rachel Eagle
Stella Good
Tracey Gordon
Amy Griffen
Carol Haddow
Laura Hargreaves
Kirsty Howe
Nicola Jackson
Sarah Lambert
Jennifer Langridge
Mary Layzell
Johanna Luker
Hayley McKay
Kirsty Minnis
Caroline Morgan
Annette Noakes
Annette Pickering
Laura Randall
Katie Robertson
Melanie Robinson
Christina Russell
Ann Shelley
Angie Sinnott
Laura Taylor
Ann-Louise Watkins
Julie Williams
Long Service Bars/Awards
2008
40 years
Chris Daniels
Jan Fuller
Christine Garrett
30 years
Edith Campbell
Helen Frost
Jan Hooley
Carol Jordon
Janet Potter
Janet Rhodes
20 years
Amanda Barker
Sheila Briggs
Ann Crome
Dee Curtis
Caroline Dickman
Susan Gow
Kim Hughes
Carol Inskip
Jenny Jeffery
Caroline Mathew
Joyce Scott
Cheryl Smith
Christine Torrens
10 years
Margaret Bambrook
Mirella Brackenbury
Pamela Brown
Haley Bygrave
Alison Coomber
Victoria Davy
Kim Deller
Linda Elliott
Debbie Farmer
Mary Gadsden
Melanie Gardner
Stella Good
Catherine Henderson
Sue Hunt
Lynn Marshall
Kelly Quigley-Hicks
Carol Russell
Natalie Ruszel
Katrina Shelton-Smith
Angie Sinnott
Sue Stallard
Jane Wallis
Alison Wenham
5 years
Clare Barnes
Kaleigh Berry
Sarah Carey
Catherine Clapp
Lesley Cornish
Claire Cox
Kate Davies
Louise Forder
Victoria Gibbons
Rebecca Hampton
Lora Harvey
Annette Hickey
Claire Hoare
Dianne Jenkins
Cathy Jones
Kerry Jones
Natasha Jovic
Claire Kingman
Tracy Lawrence
Joanne Laybourn
Ellie Lyon
Susan Margiocchi
Julia Mathews
Caroline Morgan
Andrea Olley
Rachel Pruden
Sophie Rahim
Elizabeth Regan
Melanie Robinson
Nicola Simmons
Alison Singleton
Clare Wilmot

CELEBRATING SUCCESS
Girlguiding Bedfordshire
Annual Review 2009
After many years of planning and eager anticipation
we have finally launched our Centenary Celebrations.
Yes, Girlguiding is one hundred years old and Bedfordshire
has started its celebrations with a fantastic Launch
Party attended by over 2500 members. Rainbows,
Brownies, Guides, Senior Section, Leaders and Trefoil
Guild members all had a brilliant time.
Guiding is thriving in Bedfordshire and still relevant to today’s girl, providing a girlonly
space where they are encouraged to make their own decisions in planning and
carrying out a varied programme of activities. We are lucky that the girls are supported
by dedicated, enthusiastic and talented leaders who help them make the most of
opportunities.
Marion Prior
County President
Debbie Docherty
County Commissioner
As usual, everyone has been very busy in the past year.
In particular, most Units supported the Girlguiding Changing
the World Initiative, working in partnership with eighteen
charities in community action projects. Many also had
fun undertaking the County Challenge ‘Buzzin’ in Beds’.
There have been numerous camps, holidays and trips
with several groups venturing abroad. Many members
have achieved personal success in gaining Girlguiding
and Community Awards and Qualifications; well done to
them all.
Thank you to everyone who has supported Guiding in
Bedfordshire during the past year. We have a whole year of
Centenary Celebrations to look forward to during 2010.
Let the Celebrations Continue!
Marion Debbie
Marion Prior Debbie Docherty
County President County Commissioner
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LUTON NORTH DIVISION
The Division continues to be led by 4 Division Leaders and a
Division Contact in the absence of a Division Commissioner,
but all Districts have pulled together and we have had
another successful year.
The year started in September with a Guide sleepover
at Woodcroft with the theme being ‘Love in Action’
and all had a fantastic time!
A number of units represented the Division for the
Remembrance Day Parade in Luton and there were
several Carol Concerts and Christingles held over the
Christmas period.
The Division got together in February to celebrate
Thinking Day at Icknield High School with a Changing the
World theme. Friendship bracelets were exchanged.
A representative from the Red Cross gave a very interesting
recollection of the history of the organisation together
with the diverse work that they undertake. We were
then ‘visited’ by a ‘giant crisp packet’ and the girls were
asked to test their knowledge on recycling!
Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Leaders from both Wardown
and Lewsey Farm Districts attended the World Thinking
Day service in Westminster Abbey.
As summer approached, the Division held a Circus Fun Day at
Woodcroft and all those that took part earned their Circus
Skills badge. Our Division President, Margaret
Chalmers, made a very fetching ringmaster! A
fancy dress competition was held and so much
effort had been put into the wonderful
costumes with plenty of clowns and
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ringmasters. Rainbows,
Brownies and Guides were all able
to learn circus skills and try their hands at
various crafts and making puppets and clown hats.

A number of units have participated in Changing the World
challenges. One Brownie Pack chose the Railway Children
project and learned about children who spend nights on the
streets. In comparison, they held a pyjama pamper evening
and had great fun with face packs, nail painting and foot spas
while they drank hot chocolate with marshmallows. Limbury
District did the Water Aid Sing for Change at their Carol Concert
in December. Luton North Trefoil Guild chose the WWF and
had a fancy dress evening turning up as Brownie or Guide
badges, those not so adventurous came with wildlife cuddly toys.
Lewsey Farm Rainbows have entered the Community Centre
Awards Evening and have nominated awards to 4 girls for
attendance and trying hard to keep their promise all the time.
Girls from Limbury District have been inside Buckingham Palace
for the Changing of the Guard and they also visited Icando.
Pack Holidays and Camps have taken place throughout the
year. 1st Sundon Guides held a camp with a New Zealand theme.
There have also been numerous trips including Gullivers Land,
pantomimes, bowling, Woburn Safari Park, train journeys and,
of course, the poptastic event of the year, the BIG GIG.
The Trefoil Guild had a very busy fun pack time including an
annual Strawberry Tea evening, which included a competition
to make a free standing flagpole, another very successful
Late, Late Breakfast, talks on The Dark Horse and Discovery
Challenges and a sleepover at Woodcroft.
Finally, we are all very proud of Michelle Sterry, a Guider with
1st Sundon Guides who got a 1st degree at Cambridge this
summer. Well done Michelle.
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SOUTH BEDFORDSHIRE
DIVISION
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After nominating myself for the role of South Bedfordshire’s
Division Commissioner last year, I wondered if I was really
suited to the role - you know that old saying... “You can
please some of the people some of the time, but you can’t
please all of the people all of the time”. Well, I have kept
that in mind during the last year, tried to do my best to
please as many people as possible and I am happy to say,
have had plenty of support from leaders, helpers and parents
in South Bedfordshire, so thank you all!
What have South Beds been up to this past year? We
started off with a Cream Tea Afternoon back in November
to air and share our ideas and vision for the year ahead and
it was interesting to find out what other leaders wanted to
do. We have tried to keep these thoughts in mind during
the year, but with all the other County, Region and National
initiatives on offer, we haven’t done everything we
set out to achieve, but we still have plenty of time.
In December a happy coach load of Guides had
a wonderful trip to Disneyland Paris, with a few
‘mountain top moments’. Then, to get Christmas
off to a good start, some members became
Happy Little Elves helping at Santa’s Grotto in
Leighton Buzzard’s High Street.
Our Division Thinking Day took on the Change
the World theme, raising awareness and trying
out activities from many of the projects including
song and dance, in readiness for getting really involved in
each Unit’s chosen Change the World project. During the
year many Units have raised a lot of money for many of the
Change the World projects and all should be very proud of
their achievements.
One of our leaders Lindsay Indge celebrated Thinking Day
at Nyeri in Kenya and went to Lord and Lady Baden-Powell’s
grave on the day, “an amazing experience!” she says. Lindsay
has since emigrated to Australia and is keeping us up to
date with her new life - we are still waiting for her to rejoin
the Guide Movement in the sun!
As a member of the planning team for Change the World
Initiative I was invited to its launch event in London and
was able to take another leader and four Brownie and
Guide guests. We met the Countess of Wessex and our
Brownies were selected to present her with gifts. We were
also treated to dinner out and a ride on the London Eye.
In the summer (well, in the rain) we held a sponsored Family
Activity Day offering indoor climbing, archery, go carts,
tennis, a Big Art challenge, football, dance and lots more.
Despite the rain, everyone who braved the weather had a
good day raising funds for the Division.
Every Unit has had the opportunity to ‘get away together’
from weekend camps, water activity camps, to District
sleepovers. There have been themed Pack Holidays such
as Being in the Jungle to Out and About holidays, where
Brownies, as well as climbing trees, even found views of
the Prime Minister’s Chequers home in the Chilterns.
Buzzard Rangers spent their summer camp at Foxlease and
included a visit to Brownsea Island while Woburn Rangers
have had expeditions to Ireland’s Morne Mountains, Dartmoor,
Derbyshire and Hereford.
Some of our adult leaders ventured to the County weekend
at Waddow and loved the Murder Mystery Evening. Units
have been on outings including the Butterfly Park, Woburn

Safari Park, London Icando and Hazard Alley and more locally,
experiencing day and night hikes and visits to country parks.
Leaders have gained First Aid, Food Hygiene, Catering and
Pack Holiday qualifications and attended Rainbow trainings.
Five Guides gained their Baden-Powell Challenge
Badge.
Our Trefoil Guilds have been busy too, with
Leighton Buzzard trying out new crafts, listening
to talks from St John Ambulance, the Life of a
Farmer’s Wife, Travels in Argentina and Korea and
enjoying cream teas with another group, whilst
Woburn challenged themselves to have a go at
handbell ringing on borrowed bells. They enjoyed
it so much that they managed to secure a £2,500
grant to buy their own set complete with gloves,
stands and all the trimmings and some members
have even made a special tablecloth. Now they
tell me that all they have to do is learn how to play
them! Both Guilds recently had members at the
Hautbois Guild’s Break.
All the South Bedfordshire Districts, Leighton Heath,
Linleighbridge, Linslade and Woburn have been fund-raising
and getting involved in community action in many different
ways with jumble sales, market stalls, stalls at village and
town fayres and events. Although most of our community
action has been focussed on Change the World, some Units
also entertained our elderly community. Woburn District
also took part in the annual Crocus Walk for Breast Cancer,
raising more than £500, whilst Woburn Rangers raised £500
for Willen Hospice from a pantomime performance.
We had a really good turn out for the Centenary Launch and
Guides from the Division (along with Lizzie from Dunstable)
volunteered to be part of the dance and Crystal Palace
re-enactment group in the opening ceremony. Everyone
loved the day. One of our Guiders missed it though, to get
married, but we didn’t allow her to miss out completely as
some of us went on to the reception still dressed in true
‘Centenary Style’.
We have since had a Rainbow
Centenary Party and a Brownie and
Guide Centenary Disco to get everyone
enthused about the year ahead.
We have held a Dance, Drama and
Song Workshop audition day in
preparation for getting our cast
together for the County Centenary
Celebration Showcase next June at
the Grove Theatre, Dunstable.
100 South Beds Pop Lovers ventured to
the Big Gig in October, all planning
to be on the X Factor one day!
And finally... after my first year I
still want to be here - and am really
looking forward to the year ahead,
but none of this fun would have
been possible without the support
of my DCs, Allison, Amanda, Anita,
Maggie, Mandy, Marilyn and their
District Teams, my enthusiastic sidekick
Debbie S, advice and guidance
from CC Deb D and of course the
ever faithful extremely hard working
treasurer, Carina. Thanks Guys !
5

DUNSTABLE DIVISION
It has been a year of change. At the end of December we
thanked Wendy Minnis for being our Division Commissioner
for the previous five years and with no-one taking the role
on, we have re-arranged our Districts, so that we just have
three on a trial basis to ensure that Dunstable Guiding
continues.
At our Thinking Day Service, which Debbie the County
Commissioner attended, we were able to formally thank
Wendy in front of the girls for all her hard work! During
the service, which had Changing the World as its theme,
we asked a representative from each Unit how they would
‘Change the World’ and the answers were many and varying,
including no homework!
Changing the World has played a large part in much of our
programme planning over the last year, including:
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• 1st Dunstable Guides chose the Railway Children
project and their activities included filling Smartie
tubes with money, raising over £200 and an overnight
hike when the girls slept under the stars at Windy Sayles
• Dunstable Trefoil Guild have worked on the Woodland
Trust Project
• 1st Totternhoe Brownies chose the Kidscape Project,
playing anti-bullying games, having a make-over party
when they were able to bring friends along for the
evening and taking part in a relaxation session that
resulted in all the girls going home calm and tired
• Units in Eaton Bray, Toddington and Harlington chose
the World Wildlife Fund Project, learning about the
impact of our activities on the world’s wildlife and
how animals such as the orangutan are suffering as
their environment is gradually disappearing, due to
logging and agriculture
• Water Aid has also been supported by a number of
Units raising awareness by singing

Brownie and Guide holidays and camps as always have
played a big part in our year with Windy Sayles, Woodcroft
and Foxlease being visited. One Guide Company had a masked
ball and formal three course meal as part of their holiday!
Toddington and Harlington District held their annual Brownie
Football Tournament with the trophy going to 1st Toddington.
Dunstable Trefoil Guild celebrated its Diamond Anniversary in
November 2008, originally registered in 1948, as Dunstable
North and South Districts’ Trefoil. They celebrated with a
dinner in November where all members wore tiaras and
enjoyed birthday cake, balloons and table gifts. The following
month they celebrated with a party at their hall with
invited guests and much laughter ensued as they played
pass the parcel including forfeits and musical hats!
Brownies have taken part in the Eaton Bray Carnival as
Flower Fairies walking the route, but next year will be
participating with a float.
Sadly, in June 2008, the Guide Hall in Toddington was vandalised
and a fire was started in the kitchen making the hall unusable,
but thanks to the efforts of a number of Guiders and local
businesses, the money was raised to enable the hall to be
fitted with new windows, doors and kitchen so that it could
still continue to be used for many years to come. Toddington
Guides and Brownies held a coffee morning in April so that
everyone in the Community could see their refurbished hall.
Houghton Regis Guides wrote their own version of Cinderella
and performed it for the Brownies and then helped them
to make puppets to tell the story for themselves.
A coach load of Guides and Leaders went to the Big Gig in
Birmingham and had an enjoyable, if somewhat noisy
evening! One District took over 100 members to the
Pantomime at The Grove Theatre, Dunstable.
Most of these activities are on top of the normal meetings
where girls have gained badges, completed Go For Its and
been out and about in the local area. Thanks to the
dedication of all the volunteers in Dunstable Division,
Guiding continues to thrive and here’s to the next 100
years of Guiding!
7

BEDFORD DIVISION
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At the end of 2008 the joint Bedford Division Commissioners,
Caroline Dickman and Elaine Bentham finished their term
of office. The Division marked their ‘retirement’ with a
thank you party, but for many months nobody could be
found to take on the Commissioner role. Fortunately Gill
Lake agreed to become Commissioner in October, 2009 and
the whole Division wishes her every success.
Despite being without a Commissioner, the Division, the
four Districts and all the Units have been very busy.
Many Units supported the Girlguiding UK Changing the
World initiative. 17th Bedford (Priory) Guide Company
raised £467.17 for Asthma UK by baking and selling glutenfree
cakes and swimming over 200 lengths; this was the
largest total raised for the charity.
Bedford Rangers supported Help the Hospices. They made
craft boxes for the local Hospice and this novel way of supporting
the charity earned them an article in Guiding Magazine.
2nd Wootton Brownies created a ‘pop up shop’ to raise
money for Save the Children and 22nd Bedford Guides
raised money for the Railway Children and spent one
evening completely out-of-doors with limited equipment
so that they could get a feel of what it would be like to be
homeless. Well done to these Units and all who supported
Changing the World.
In October, Rainbows, Brownies and Guides joined together
from all over the Division to take part in the annual Bridge
Walk. While the sun shone down on them, they walked
round the 13 different bridges, gaining stamps at each one
and trying to do as many laps as possible. The 13 bridges
included a ‘human’ bridge hand made by Bedford Rangers.
A great time was had by all with some very tired girls by
the end of the afternoon. Many enjoyed an ice-cream at
the end of the walk for their efforts and went home happy.
We look forward to holding the event again next year and
hope for the weather to be just as kind.

Several girls from across the Division joined over 1400 more
as members of Girlguiding Anglia took over a performance
of the hit musical ‘We Will Rock You’ at the Dominion Theatre
in London on Saturday, 3rd October. Nicola Milbourn from
3rd Brickhill Guides said “I had so much fun at We Will
Rock You. The show was amazing; I never knew songs could
be turned into such a fantastic show. The atmosphere was
immense with thousands of girls and ladies gathered
together to celebrate the same cause and enjoy it all as a
group. It's an experience that will be treasured by myself
and many!”
Units have been involved in many other exciting events,
adventurous activities, challenges, parties, theatre visits
and community activities. 22nd Bedford Guides supported
the Love in Action project raising funds for schools in
Africa. During this project they designed African masks,
shields and dances and tried African drumming. They
learned about Fairtrade and researched and cooked
recipes; banana crumble was a real favourite.
As well as all this, Units have been busy with camps, holidays
and sleepovers including a giant sleepover at Bunyan Meeting
church hall. As usual the sleepover didn’t involve much
sleep, but everyone still enjoyed a guided tour of the Bunyan
Museum the next morning.
Of course the real highlight for the Division this year has
been the building project, after many years of fund-raising for
the Mollivers Bunkhouse extension. This has been a fantastic
achievement, spearheaded by the very hardworking
Bunkhouse Committee. Well done to everyone who has
helped make this project a success so that we can all enjoy
our holidays at Mollivers.
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I keep remembering bits : the
doves, the fireworks, the guiding
light poem - all fantastic
Thank you - we all
had a fantastic
time!!!
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We were amazed by the
turn out and couldn't get
over how well organised
2,700 people could be!
The Brownies could not
stop telling me all the
things that they had done
I like the olden days
Guides telling Baden-
Powell they wanted
something for the girls
CELEBRATING
OF THE GIRLGUIDIN
CENTENARY

HE SUCCESS
G BEDFORDSHIRE
LAUNCH
I have never
seen so many
bouncy castles !!!
am so looking forward
to the next Centenary
Party in 3010
It was such a fantastic
day and everyone seemed to
be going home with smiles
on their faces
What a fantastic day, it
was the best bit of fun in
my 52 years of Guiding
Gas and Babs
were brilliant
When the bus arrived at the
school all you could hear were
screams of excitement
11

LUTON SOUTH DIVISION
Luton South Division have had a very busy year, taking part
in many events, some Guiding events and some to help the
local and international community. Many Units took part in
the 2nd Annual sleepover in the Arndale Shopping Centre.
Here we joined the Scouts and raised over £3500 for NOAH,
a local charity that supports the homeless.
We are very lucky in Luton South Division that we live quite close
to Whipsnade Zoo. Strathmore Brownies and Rainbows
spent a very cold, but dry day at the Zoo last Autumn.
Their favourite animals were the meerkats, giraffes and
elephants, with the latter two both having had babies! As it
was so cold there was only one place to go – the restaurant
for a nice, warming cup of hot chocolate.
Units got very busy at Christmas. The Division held its 3rd
Annual Christmas Activity Day; this continues to be a very
popular event that is enjoyed by many. 12th Luton Brownies
packed and sent shoeboxes to needy people in Romania
and didn’t forget the local people either, as they made
gifts for the elderly residents of Mary Brash Court. 2nd
Stopsley Guides enjoyed a Christmas hike in the dark,
wearing their ‘Santa’ hats and also visited the pantomime.
In January, 5th Stopsley Guides visited Disneyland Paris.
Here they stayed at the Hotel Cheyenne, a wild-west
themed Disney Hotel. Once inside the ‘park’ there were so
many rides to be enjoyed, but sadly also lots of queues to
be joined. The Guides met some very famous characters
as they walked around the park; Winnie the Pooh, Tigger,
Eeyore, Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck.
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Nearly every Unit in the Division, including the Trefoil
Guild, took part in Changing the World, ‘Buzzin’ in Beds’,
or both! Projects supported included World Book Aid where
girls learnt about Kenya. The Trefoil Guild raised money
for Mental Health Awareness. The WWF were supported as well
as CAMFED and the NCDS, which resulted in some very
interesting visits from Nick and Alfie from the Hearing Dogs.
Many Units enjoyed Pack Holidays and Summer Camps.
These were either Unit camps or the ever more popular
large International Jamborees. Some girls and their Leaders
were fortunate enough to attend the Anglia Region ‘Countdown
100 Camp’ and as a result of the good time that they
had, have now signed up for the Girlguiding UK Centenary
Camp.
As well as raising a lot of money for various charities the
Trefoil Guild have been out and about around Stockwood
Park. Listening to the Reverend Richard Winslade giving his
popular talk ‘From Chef to Clergyman’, or more recently
learning about the work of the Midshires Search and Rescue
Team.
Many girls from the Division attended the fantastic Centenary
Launch Party at Cardinal Newman High School. We are now
all looking forward to many more events to celebrate the
Centenary of Guiding.

EAST BEDFORDSHIRE DIVISION
East Bedfordshire Division covers a large part of the County, with Great
Barford and Blunham to the north, going down to Shillington in the
south. The 2009 Census confirmed that there were 51 Units in 19
different towns and villages across the area; 135 Adult Leaders and
Registered Helpers, 50 Young Leaders and Senior Section and almost
900 girls. Several new Units have opened over the summer and we have
welcomed new leaders and new girls to the Division. Two Trefoil Guild
groups meet on a monthly basis in Biggleswade and Henlow.
Biggleswade District started early in the year when two Biggleswade
Brownie Units went to see the local BATS production of Snow White and
the Seven Dwarfs and Langford Rainbows went to the Gordon Craig Theatre
in Stevenage to see Jack and the Beanstalk. Langford Guides went
ice-skating in Hyde Park.
This was followed by several Brownie Adventure Holidays and Guide
Camps. Langford Guides held a sponsored ‘Stars in their Eyes’ musical
marathon/sleepover with everyone dressing up and taking part, girls
and leaders alike!
The District’s Thinking Day was held in Biggleswade with 200 girls
participating in the celebrations, enjoying all sorts of activities from
‘armpit fudge’ to line dancing.
The District’s activities have included ‘Buzzin’ in Beds’; Tae Kwon Do;
Deaf Awareness; Glass Painting; a Brownie Sports Day, Rainbow Romps
at Woburn; Bring your Dad to Rainbows; Changing the World. Charities
supported included Comic Relief; Keech Cottage; World Wildlife Fund;
Help the Hospices and the Woodland Trust.
The Biggleswade Trefoil Guild have had a busy year enjoying the opportunity
to experience clog dancing; Rainbow Romps; a visit to Stotfold Water
Mill; meeting the Bedfordshire poet Frank Batt; Feast for Funds; a trip
to Burwell Museum as well as the Annual dinner and visits to other
Trefoil Guild meetings.
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Henlow District held a ‘Buzzin’ in Beds’ Thinking Day
celebration with the girls enjoying honey tasting,
and all things ‘bees’. The Brownies and Rainbows
joined together to enjoy the 4th of July with activities
indoors and outdoors in the sunshine.
The Guides went on camp to Chigwell Row, a sleepover
at Mollivers, a walk up Barton Hills in the dark;
held a ‘Guides got Talent’ night and put on a production
for parents for the Changing the World challenge.
Units visited Pots of Art and a Fire Station and took
part in Harvest Festivals and Scarecrow Festivals.
They supported charities including Children with
Leukaemia, Asthma UK and the Guide Friendship Fund.
In Shefford District the Rainbows at Chicksands were
‘Buzzin’ in Beds’ at a Busy Bee Drive, inviting their
parents to come and join in. Rainbows and parents
had a great time.
The District visited Woburn Safari Park in July,
enjoying lots of joint activities. It is great when the
Dictrict comes together to take part in events where
the girls can meet and interact with other members.
The girls were represented at the Shefford Gala,
which encouraged lots of interest and there was a
much enjoyed ‘Holey’ Picnic and Teddy Bear’s Picnic.
We are delighted to have re-opened two Units in Shefford
with new Guiders joining the District team.
Our Charities supported are
Help for Heroes and the
World Thinking Day Fund.
15

NORTH BEDFORDSHIRE DIVISION
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We’ve had a very busy year in North Beds, with
masses of opportunities for the girls to get together
and have fun. We are a very rural community
with most Units in villages; it makes it
a very special time when we can get together.
Our Thinking Day this year was spent in Districts
and Units. One District spent a Sunday afternoon
together, learning Guiding songs, which
they then performed to parents. Another District
had a ‘Buzzin’ in Beds’ Fun Day with lots
of ‘bee’ games, crafts and lots of cake! In our
Units and sections we have been very busy too.
The Rainbow numbers are growing. A group
have been on a visit to the Butterfly Farm and
stroked the hedgehogs and geckoes; they were
very brave. Another group has taken up knitting.
A third group hand-made clay pots for Mothering
Sunday and yet another created hand and foot
stamps to form a unique collage that spanned
the length of their meeting hall.
Brownies from all the Districts had the chance
to go on a Pack Holiday this year. One theme was
‘Brownies got Talent’ and by Sunday afternoon
they proved they had. It was a new experience
for some as two Units had never been on a Pack
Holiday before. The Brownies have been asking
about the next one ever since. All sections have
been working on ‘Changing the World’. Many
Brownie Units used the Stop Bullying Campaign
from Kidscape to great effect. Some Brownies
found it difficult to shout out, “No!”, but with
practice they all succeeded.
Guide Units from Bushmead District visited
Hautbois in May for a week long camp. They
travelled by train this year and again, for some,
this was a first. Below is an extract from a
recollection written by two Guides at the time:
“ What we will never forget is the duckling we
found at camp. One of the other girls found it
and picked it up; we all told her she should
never have done it. Some of the girls got a bit
upset because they thought the duckling would die.
When we got back to camp the Guiders got us
to play Bingo, it was fun and the girls that
were crying and upset cheered up. The next
thing we knew the duckling was standing outside
our storm shelter, it had followed us back.
We tried taking it way again but it came back.
Then Morty made a nice warm nest for it in a
box with her hot water bottle and she and Betsie
took it off to the river and we went to bed. The
girls tried to get out of Betsie where it was but
she wasn’t talking so we all went to sleep. At
breakfast Morty said the ducking was gone
from its nest. It was a fantastic camp we did
loads of things and we went home on the train
too. ”
Our Senior Section has been out and about and a
new Senior Section Unit has opened. One enjoyed
a weekend away on a narrow boat, the other
has camped with a group from Bedford Scouts.
A group teamed up with some Ranger Scouts
and went on the Scout/Guide ‘Sun Run’ in the
Malvern Hills. They recently went up to London,
visiting Covent Garden and bumped into the
Mayor, Mr Boris Johnson, (big photo opportunity),
had lunch in Leicester Square and to end the
perfect day, all went to see ‘We Will Rock You’
along with 1000+ other Senior Section members.
Everyone had a fantastic day.

One hundred and eighty six of us attended the Centenary
Launch Party in Luton. Everyone had an incredible day and
our thanks go to those who spent many hours organizing it.
Our plans for the Centenary are in place with many opportunities
for the girls. We have been very fortunate that
Kimbolton School have generously let us hold our Division
Day at the school. With a Princess Party, Castle Rampage,
Guide Camp and Senior Section Dawn Walk, we expect it
to be amazing weekend. We also plan as a Division to take
up other opportunities with all Guiding sections from
county, region and around the country.
Although we have had two Guiders retire this year we are
very pleased to say that they are still very much involved
with their Units and the Division and we all hope that this
will continue. We have had seven new Guiders and Unit
Helpers in the last year and are very pleased with our
progress. We hope that many more will come on-board as
the Centenary unfolds.
The Hon. Pearl Lawson Johnston, OBE, DL, JP, who sadly died
in August, 2008, was best known to many of the Guiding
family as ‘Miss Pearl’. Miss Pearl had been a Guider who
loved the out-of-doors and she encouraged young Guides
to enjoy hiking and camping too. Lately, Miss Pearl was a
County Vice-President and a much loved and respected
President of North Bedfordshire Division. She is much
missed by us all.
17

MID BEDFORDSHIRE DIVISION
Our Centenary activities started in November, 2009 when
we held a Division Indoor Picnic based on the Anglia Region
Love in Action, at Redborne School in Ampthill. Over 300
Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, Senior Section members and
Leaders took part in a wide range of activities based on an
African theme. Over £150 was raised for Christ’s Embassy
School in Uganda.
Thinking Day 2009 saw our Division mascot Robben touring
the Division. She was passed from Unit to Unit, meeting all
the girls and taking part in many Guiding activities. She
took her diary with her and each Unit has added to it.
Ampthill District went on a District Trip to Cadbury World
in February; a good time was had by all on a lovely sunny
day. The District took part in Ampthill Carnival with the
Brownies dressing up as their six emblems (woodland animals,
imps, elves, pixies and sprites) and also The Remembrance
Day parade and Civic Service, as well as the St Andrew’s
Christmas Tree Festival. Lidlington Guides sorted jumble and
then held a catwalk show and also a Halloween celebration
with lots of spooky fancy dress. Ampthill Guides went for a
winter weekend in November to Northern Heights at Elstree
and camped at Milton Bryan in the summer. They also completed
their Aim Hi badge.
18
Maulden Guides held a honey tasting session as part of
their ‘Buzzin’ in Beds’ challenge. Ampthill Rainbows walked
from Ampthill Park to Millbrook and met some alpacas on
the way. Each Rainbow was given a keyring with a picture
of an alpaca on it as a souvenir of their visit.
1st Ampthill Brownies had a great time at Haverings and
2nd Maulden Brownies have completed their craft badge,
musician badge and sports badge. They held a bring and
buy sale to raise unit funds around Easter. They took part
in a three mile walk around Maulden as part of their 100
mile walking badge and admired a beautiful sunset. 2nd
Ampthill Brownies held an international evening when they
dressed up and tried food from all five continents.
Barton District held a sleepover from 10th to 11th July at
Arnold Middle School. The Guides camped in the school
field and catered for everyone. The Brownies slept in the
school hall and the Rainbows joined in the fun on Saturday.
The theme was teddy bears and there were lots of games
and crafts, a walk to the local nature reserve to collect
items for the teddy bear collages.

Building work started in mid-August on the new
Barton joint Scout and Guide HQ. Fund-raising
and planning has been going on for many years
and now things are really moving along.
Flitwick District held a Thinking Day celebration
based on the ‘Buzzing’ in Beds’ activity pack.
The Rainbows, Brownies and Guides tasted
honey and pancakes, made ‘bee’ masks, book
marks and ‘bee’ pins and took part in a ‘bee’ drive.
Units from Flitwick District took part in the
Remembrance Day Parade and the town Civic
service, as well as Flitton and Greenfield Gala
Day. They also served refreshments at the
Flitwick Community Fun Day.
The District Brownies held Revels in July with a
Mexican theme. Eight Packs took part and the
District Shield was won by Pulloxhill and Greenfield
Brownies. This was followed by the District
BBQ and Fun evening when Brownies were
joined by Rainbows, Guides, families and
friends. The money raised was used to supplement
the funds raised by Elen Jones (Young Leader)
for her Anglia trip to Mexico and the District
Centenary Fund.
19

20
CELEBRATING OUR MEMBERSHIP
This year through our census of members we know that we have:
g Rainbows 5-7 years old 748
g Brownies 7-10 years old 2447
g Guides 10-14 years old 1109
g Senior Section 14-25 years old 213
g Guiders 18-65 years old 524
Commissioners 18+ years 36
Unit helpers
(members and non-members) s18+ years 122
Other volunteers 18+ years 134
Total 5333
We still need over 100 extra volunteers to help us open Guiding up
to all the girls on our waiting to join list.
We also need volunteers from all areas with skills in business
administration, marketing, public relations, statistics, computing,
accounting, etc. You do not need to have a background in Guiding
- just a desire to help out one of the County’s largest women’s
voluntary networking organisations.
If you’d like to help please call our Hotline on: 07803 845588
or visit www.bedsguiding.org.uk for more information
www.bedsguiding.org.uk

Bedfordshire
Every Celebration needs careful planning and we’ve
put in the hours to ensure that our Centenary Celebrations continue to be the very best
As well as joining in with national and regional
Celebrations, we’ll be having lots of fun across
Bedfordshire to mark our big 100
Find out what we’re planning for the future by visiting
www.bedsguiding.org.uk
Bedfordshire Hotline: 07803 845588
Our website: www.bedsguiding.org.uk
County Commissioner
Debbie Docherty
178 Marley Fields
Leighton Buzzard • LU7 4WN
Tel: 01525 385213
email: debbie.docherty1@ntlworld.com
CELEBRATING OUR FUTURE
County Treasurer
Wendy Rider MBE
23 Orwell Close
Bedford • MK41 7BQ
Tel: 01234 303254
email: wendyrider41@gmail.com