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GGEW NEWS
SUMMER 2017
Fiona Hancock did most of her Guiding in Wanstead and Ilford, even
after getting married and moving to Harold Wood she continued to
travel back there. When the pack closed she looked for another unit
nearer home so that’s how she came to us 2 years ago. The
Romford 2ndA were about to close, one leader was having a baby
and the other had a new job, so as they didn’t think there was anyone
to take over, they ran it down expecting it to close. When Fiona took
over in the September she started with only 3 Brownies. Martha was
her first Gidea Park Brownie.
The Mayor of Havering was never a Brownie but wanted to be, so
when we went to visit her in the Town Hall the Brownies said their
Promise and she repeated it and one of our youngest brownies pinned
her own Promise badge on her suit
The presentation of the 30 year brooch was done by Martha, as her
first GP Brownie, on behalf of all the girls there and all her Brownies
over the 30 years. They’re what it’s all about! The certificate was pre-
sented by Jessica (Tawney Owl’s daughter) and the card by Jamie
(Snowy Owl’s daughter)
Rosemary Edwards from Romford and her Guides were at Chigwell camp site for a weekend in July. They were there from Friday to Sunday
with 17 guides and 7 leaders. Rosemary explained the campsite is an ideal opportunity for those without their camping license to take their
groups camping and gain experience. Everything was provided on site which she found most helpful. The group was made up of the 3rd Gidea
Park St Michaels group and the 11th Romford as part of the Romford division. There were lots of activities
going on and with some 350 happy campers across the entire site there was
lots to See and do.. I joined Rosemary’s group for clay pigeon shooting which
was being organised by BASC (British Association of Shooting and
Conservation). Some of the girls had a natural flair for shooting on the day
and they all enjoyed it massively. There was an incident involving a real
pigeon who unfortunately flew too close to the firing range at precisely the
wrong moment... It was a wonderful shot by one of the Guides that caused the
pigeon’s demise, albeit not intended!
Overall a big success all around.
Jamie Whitmore
On Thursday 23rd February, Sally Bentley enjoyed a surprise retirement party at the Guide and Scout Hall in Lt.Hallingbury, with several
farewell gifts. In 2016, Sally achieved 40 years as a Brownie Leader for 1st Little Hallingbury Brownie Pack. After all this time, Sally has
decided to retire as Brown Owl. Her time as a Leader has given her thousands of happy moments and memories; she has devoted her life to
the movement. In 1980 she gained her Pack Holiday licence and since then she has taken a large number of girls away for holidays, some for
a long weekend but a large number were for a whole week. Most of the girls were from Little Hallingbury but there were also girls from Harlow,
Nazeing and the Rodings. Hundreds of youngsters have benefited from
her dedication, commitment and care.
Sally is from Bishop’s Stortford and became a Guide when she
reached 11 while living in Lt.Hallingbury. She has always said that
Miss Simmons – Captain – said she was the worst Guide, as she left
three times but Captain kept taking her back; she must have seen
something in Sally.
Sally has also recently celebrated 30 years in Scouting in Little
Hallingbury. She started with Venture Scouts, then Scouts and now
Beaver Scouts, which she is going to carry on running. This will make
a grand total of 70years combined service to youngsters in Little
Hallingbury.
Sorry if we haven’t
managed to include
everything in this issue
of the newsletter. We
do try hard but there is
only so much space
available. Please
continue to let us know
of your events