County Day 12th October 2024
On a slightly cold and wet Saturday around 60 volunteers got together at The Great Barn in Ruislip for County Day. The day opened with a speech from Jenni, Jade and Marian who summarised all the amazing events that have taken place and recognition young members and adults have received with Jack Petchey and local community awards.
Jenni spoke about her own Japan adventure and that of Erin and Chloe (YLs from Ruislip Windmill District) who enjoyed a summer adventure through the Girlguiding Region Internationals, visiting multiple European countries. Jade spoke about various activities, from a Rainbow Animal Adventure, Brownie skills days to exciting Ranger camps and Guide Urban Adventure days, providing diverse opportunities for our young members to develop skills and try new activities. Marian spoke about events for volunteers like our County Craft Day and Outdoor Weekend, as well as County members nominated for Harrow Heroes and Hillingdon Community Awards. We also held our own County Awards evening, celebrating long service and special awards. Also mentioned was the special Girlguiding Celebrates event that took place in Leicester Square in September.
The attendees then (enthusiastically) took part in Guiding Bingo, where they had to complete various tasks like finding someone who had put a tent up in the rain to the more challenging finding someone who had the same dinner as them last night! A fantastic opportunity to talk to new people and showed what a competitive group Girlguiding volunteers are!
The workshops on offer during County Day were:
- Inclusive Guiding – Hannah Roberts (Region)
- Adapting the Programme – Bethan (Harrow and Pinner)
- Keeping on top of Unit finances – Jenni (County Commissioner)
- Young Leader Session – Clare (County Young Leader Co-ordinator)
- Welcoming and Empowering Young Leaders in your Unit – Clare (County Young Leader Co-ordinator)
- Developing your skills through the Leadership Development Programme – Melissa (Leadership Co-Ordinator) and Marian (Assistant County Commissioner)
- Top Tips for planning a term programme – Jenni (County Commissioner) and Jade (Assistant County Commissioner)
Attendees also loved a bit of down time in the Happiness Room where they could indulge in some Christmas themed pottery painting, thank you to Willow for providing these. We also had our Ickenham and Ruislip Depot shops available, thanks for Marjorie Brooks and Lynn Birch for overseeing and running this. Attendees could also speak to one of the County Team members who had resources and displays out for people to browse.
Thank you to our Trefoil Guilds who helped with registration, keeping our refreshments topped up throughout the day and overseeing the Happiness Room. Thank you also to Guy Perry, for overseeing all the catering and to Wenzels for all the sweet treats which were very well received by volunteers. Thank you to Tanya Godfrey for creating the badge for this event and to Hannah Roberts from Region who travelled from Surrey West to run the Inclusive Guiding session.
Finally a big thank you to Teams at the Arts Venues at Hillingdon Council for the hire of their Great Barn and accompanying rooms and also to Julie Bwye, Chair of the Ruislip District Guide Hut for the use of the Hut for sessions.