GGEW Spring 2010 | Page 3

PAGE 6 GGEW NEWS SPRING 2010 n a cold, wintery day in January about 100 members of Essex West headed off for a bracing weekend at Butlins, Skegness. This was the venue for Anglia Region’s Brownie Centenary event. On arrival, every one received a friendly welcome and were shown to their accommodation. All the Brownies received a welcome pack which included their programme for the weekend. Once settle in, all were directed to one of four restaurants for a very tasty meal. Those who had arrived early enough were then able to enjoy dancing in the Disco before heading off to bed. Saturday dawned cold but bright and after a very filling breakfast the girls were ready for their range of activities. These included:- bowling, crafts, dancing, circus skills, parachute games, and swimming in the superb pools complex, with chutes, slides and whirl pools, and many more. After lunch there was some time for shopping and then more and more activities. There was just time to ‘wash & brush up’ before the evening meal and entertainment. It was only once every one was in the disco area that you realised what 2,400 Brownies looked like as a group – it was fantastic! There was a great chance to show off dancing skills and to be entertained by the Red Coats. During a slot in the evening several girls had the opportunity to share just what it meant to them to be a Brownie and blow out the candles on the special birthday cake. We all then re-newed our Promise together. The Brownies had been told there would be a surprise for them towards the end of the evening and after a huge build up by the Red O St a r b u r s t B r o w n i e s illey Bailey of the 7th Hutton Brownies is a very special girl indeed and has been awarded the Star of Merit by Chief Guide Liz Burnley. The medal was presented to Tilley in front of her Unit, parents and friends by County Commissioner Linda Taylor. She is only the second girl in Essex West to be awarded the medal, which recognised Meritorious Conduct in the way she has dealt with ongoing treatment for her rare medical condition. Well done Tilley, you are an inspiration to us all! T PAGE 3 Crystals Capers ur Crystal has been a busy little Centenary Bear travelling to Germany, been on a cruise, been to New Zeland, and even been a ‘bridesmaid’ at the wedding of our County Presidents daughter! Crystal also took pride of place in the Mayors seat at Haverring Council Chamber. We hear rumours she might even have smuggled herself into a rucksack or two on the recent trip to Disneyland Paris but we haven’t seen any photographic evidence of this just yet. Perhaps there is a picture or two on their way to us! O Coats, ‘Same Difference’ appeared on stage and entertained us all for about 30 minutes. It was very obvious that this was enjoyed by girls and adults alike. Some very sleepy people then headed off to bed and the girls were tired too! On Sunday morning there were more activities to try and enjoy. All too soon it was lunch and time to head off home. Every one who had the opportunity to take part in this super weekend will have some wonderful memories to last for years to come. It had been a privilege to be part of such a well organised and enjoyable event and a joy to see so many girls all having fantastic fun. Sylvia Partridge CENTENARY REMINDER s if you need reminding!!!! Plans for all the events are moving on at quite a pace now but for it all to be a success we need Guiders to get places booked for their Units as soon as possible now. The next great day will be the Princess Party for Rainbows and there is so much fun arranged for them we really don’t want a single girl to miss out on what promises to be a brilliant event. The Guides at Chigwell will have loads of fun at their event which now includes a Centenary Disco Party. A great day of Circus Fun awaits the Brownies when their day arrives in June and also in June will see the Guiders and Trefoil members enjoying tea and cakes on the lawn at Blake Hall for their Garden Party. Certainly a time to catch up with old friends and make some new ones too. The more energetic Guiders will also be dancing the night away at the BBQ at Blake Hall but everyone needs to be reminded that tickets for the BBQ are limited so places need to be booked quickly for that event. The Family Fun Day at Orsett promises to be an event not to be missed with The Tigers Freefall Parachute Team dropping into the main arena at the end of the afternoon. Guiders are urged to make sure their parents know about this event and ticket order forms for this, and all the other events, are available on the County website, www.girlguidingessexwest.org.uk. The Centenary Camp being held over this weekend is also proving popular and Sandra Cox and her team are working hard to make sure everyone has a lot of fun. The Finale at Chigwell is a bit late for some of our younger members but remember this is a one-off event not to be repeated for another 100 years, so please give everyone a chance to be part of our fantastic year and come along. Everyone attending will receive the Centenary Promise Badge. What a Star A GGEW NEWS SPRING 2010 Keep send ing in your pictures of Crystal, on a Pack Holiday, day out or just enjoying herself