Welcome to December’s Issue

As we approach the festive season and reflect on the past month, we are delighted to bring you the latest updates from the County Commissioners’ desk. Over the last four weeks, Helen, Lesley, Chris and I have been busy meeting on numerous occasions—sometimes all together, sometimes in smaller groups—to lay the groundwork for Girlguiding Northamptonshire’s plans for 2026 and beyond. These discussions are still very much a work in progress, and we look forward to sharing more concrete details with you all as soon as our plans are finalised. Your input and enthusiasm will be vital in helping us shape the future of our County.

Exciting Appointments Across the County

It gives us great pleasure to announce several new appointments within Girlguiding Northamptonshire:

·        County Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Advisers: Claire Brock and Val Tate will be taking on this role together. Both bring a wealth of professional and personal experience to the position, and we are confident that their leadership will be invaluable as we continue to ensure Girlguiding is a welcoming and inclusive space for all.

·        County Residential Adviser: Stacey Davis has been appointed to this important post. Many of you know Stacey from her longstanding involvement with the Outdoor Team. If you have questions about running a residential or are seeking an assessment, Stacey will be your first point of contact.

·        PR and Growth: Kacey Butlin and Mel Probert will continue their excellent work in this area, supporting the growth and visibility of Guiding across Northamptonshire.

·        Chair of Awards: Jennie Lewell has stepped into this role following the retirement of Sue Hall. With nearly six decades’ experience in Girlguiding Northamptonshire, Jennie brings immense knowledge of all sections and is a valued member of the Jubilee Committee.

We are immensely grateful to all those stepping into new roles and those continuing their service. Their dedication ensures our County remains vibrant and forward-looking.

Opportunities to Get Involved

Looking ahead, there are a number of vacancies arising in the County Team—from joining a committee, to chairing, or taking up a District or Division Commissioner role. These opportunities will be advertised in January’s issue of News and Views, so please keep an eye out if you’d like to play a more active part in Guiding at county level.

Seasonal Updates and Acknowledgements

Our bellboats have now been “put to bed” for the winter. A big thank you to Chris and her team of helms for getting this done, and on what was probably the driest day of November!

This month, I was honoured to attend the Northampton Town Remembrance Day Service and Parade alongside the two Northampton Divisions, North and Nene Valley. All the girls looked incredibly smart, behaved impeccably, and were a credit to Girlguiding Northamptonshire. A special thanks to Lynsey and Emma for allowing me to join you.

Getting Into the Festive Spirit

Although it is still early days in our tenure, I have already had the pleasure of being invited to some events, including Kettering’s Christmas Celebration and the McQueen House Coffee Morning and Meeting. I look forward to meeting many more of you in the months ahead.

Wishing you all a joyful December and a restful festive period. As always, thank you for your continued commitment and enthusiasm for Girlguiding in Northamptonshire.

The Remembrance Parade

NEWS AND VIEWS DECEMBER DEADLINE

Just a quick reminder that the deadline for submitting items for the December issue of News and Views is Monday 15^th December. Please send all contributions to News@girlguidingnorthamptonshire.org.uk

We’d love to hear what your Unit, District or Division has been up to, or if you’re part of a team, send us an update. Don’t forget your pictures too. We look forward to hearing from you!

EVENTS

What's happening where and when?

TRAININGS

FIRST RESPONSE - New Arrangements for 2026

We would like to share an important update regarding First Response training for Girlguiding Northamptonshire. As many of you know, the planned First Response courses for November and December unfortunately had to be cancelled due to circumstances beyond our control. We understand this will have been disappointing for those affected and thank you for your patience.

We are pleased to let you know that, starting from January 2026, we have secured training from an external provider. This will be the full six-hour course, covering the complete syllabus as set out by Girlguiding Headquarters. We have checked with both Region and National HQ and can confirm that, as the external provider will be following our Girlguiding syllabus, these courses do not need to be separately ratified at Region level.

There will be a charge for this training, likely to be around £25 per person. This is a legitimate unit expense. If your unit is unable to fund this, please speak to your District or Division Commissioner in the first instance – we want everyone to have access to the training they need.

We have scheduled a date on 14 December for some of the people whose course was cancelled in November and December. These leaders will be contacted directly. Looking ahead, we aim to run a First Response course every six weeks, so there will be plenty of opportunities for everyone to attend.

Thank you again for your understanding. If you have any questions, please do get in touch with either the Northamptonshire County Office or myself at accleadership@girlguidingnorthamtonshire.org.uk Lesley Ingle

To complete First Response, or Safer Guiding e-learnings (which replace Safe Space Levels 1, 2 and 3) please visit the Learning Platform

External First Response - All recognised prior learning or external courses will need to be verified through the external first aid area of the learning platform. This will be verified by your region first aid verifier team. You'll be asked to complete your 1st response e-learning (if you haven't already done so) before you're able to upload your external course for verification. You'll be asked to provide your certificate as well as information regarding how your external course has covered the 1st response syllabus

INSPIRE for our 18-30 year olds

CINEMA - If you are between 18-30, come and watch Wicked for Good on 17 January 2026 at Cineworld Rushden Lake. £16 each, 5 hours free parking.

Lots more Inspire events coming soon.....

email inspire@girlguidingnorthamptonshire.org.uk for more information

Harpole Guides and Rangers spent an evening ice skating for Children in Need on Friday 14th November.

and an evening making Christmas tags, paper stars and writing inspirational messages for young people attending The Christmas Dinner, a local charity who provide a Christmas Day with lunch and presents for young care leavers who would otherwise have nowhere to go. Just imagine…

If anyone is able to help in any way, be that volunteering, adding an extra present to your shopping list or helping with pre-Christmas tasks, this is the link you will need via Facebook Helen Cordingley 

Trevor Coleman - Thank you!

MacQueen House committee held an afternoon tea to say a huge thank you to Trevor Coleman who has been care taker for the last 21 years.

Before the key safe you would arrange collection of the key by speaking to Trevor, then collecting the key from the dog in his porch! 

Trevor has been an amazing asset to the committee, putting the bins out, checking the fire alarm every Monday morning, walking around the grounds as a daily routine.

He was presented with a plant and a garden gift voucher as he loves to potter in the garden.  

We all wish him a happy retirement. Helen Hayward

Welcome Jennie Lewell

New Chair of the Awards Committee

Celebrating Achievements Across Girlguiding Northamptonshire



We are delighted to announce that Jennie has been appointed as the new Chair of Northamptonshire's Awards Committee. Jennie brings a wealth of experience and a passion for recognising the amazing contributions made by our members. Her enthusiasm for celebrating the achievements and dedication of our Guiding community makes her the perfect person to lead this important committee.

The Awards Committee will be holding its next meeting in the middle of January and would like to invite you to submit nominations for award recipients. This is a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge the exceptional efforts of members aged 16 and over, whether their contribution has been at a unit, district, division or county level.

There are several awards available and you don’t need to worry about specifying which award you think is best suited to your nominee – the committee will carefully consider each submission and decide which award is the most appropriate fit. All we need from you is the name of the person you wish to nominate and a brief outline of why you feel they deserve recognition.

Let’s make sure those who go above and beyond are celebrated for their hard work, kindness, and commitment to Girlguiding Northamptonshire.

If you know someone who has truly made a difference, please fill out the form and to Jennie at Awards@girlguidingnorthamptonshire.org.uk



Together, let’s continue to shine a spotlight on the inspiring members who help make Girlguiding Northamptonshire such a fantastic and supportive community!

Firstly, I’d like to welcome Stacy Davis as County Camp and Holiday Advisor. Stacy, former Outdoor Activities Advisor and a current camp and holiday mentor has a wealth of knowledge and a keen interest in getting our girls ‘going away’ with Girlguiding. Already on the case learning all about the new Going Away With Licence (GAWL) Stacy is ready, along with our lovely team of mentors to help leaders within all sections to gain their licence or any additional sections to their licence. Email Stacy – goingaway@girlguidingnorthamptonshire.org.uk

I would also like to introduce Mark Ludlow as Shooting advisor. Any Question on where you can take your girls to have a go, qualifications, Girlguiding rules and forms and what sections can do it etc.

Mark is no stranger to the Outdoor team as he is regularly found on the archery range as an Archery Instructor or on the River Nene as a Bell Boat Helm.

Email Mark: shooting@girlguidingnorthamptonshire.org.uk

Walking

Anyone interested in the Walking Scheme or social walks visit can find more information on the Midlands Website

The Outdoor Team Needs You!

Are you interested in joining the outdoor team? We have the following county roles available:

*Archery Advisor

*Walking Advisor

*DofE Advisor

*International Advisor

We are also in need of:

Archery Instructors - there is a course in March/April 2026 at Jubilee- if interested please contact the email below by 15 December 2025

Bell Boat Helms

GAWL Mentors

Any questions or interest please get in touch - Chris Trasler accoutdoors@girlguidingnorthamptonshire.org.uk

2nd Rushden Rainbows and 1st Wymington Brownies had a fun Chocolate Day at Cadbury World.  Carla

Safer Guiding and DBS valid to and deadline dates explained.

On your GO record – under your safe practice summary tab found in your profile you will see a Safer guiding valid to date. This is the date your current qualification expires. There is then a 40-day grace period for you to complete your training - the safer guiding deadline date. 

For DBS renewals on GO there is a valid until date and you will see a disclosure deadline date 40 days after the valid until date this is the grace period.

For both Safer guiding and DBS - as soon as the valid to date is reached and the qualification or DBS has not been completed your role will become active pending and you won’t be able to log onto GO and will need to be supervised at all times when with the young members.



At the end of the 40-day grace period – deadline date - if the safer guiding training hasn’t been renewed or your DBS hasn’t been started Girlguiding will start procedures to withdraw your membership and you will need to appeal. GO does send email reminders but a lot of these end up in spam to if in doubt please check your records. 

Subscription 2026



HQ and region have announced their 2026 levies: 

HQ                £36

Region           £8

County         £12

Total            £56  

This is before anything for division or district is added, however the figures above should enable you to plan your finances for the next academic year. 

Midlands Region Grants – free money

Region has 3 different grants available. During 2025 fewer grants have been applied for and there is still plenty of money available.  Some of the money has come from Girlguiding and if Region hasn’t distributed it all by the end of the year they will have to give it back to London. Start applying now using the current forms available HERE if your unit or an individual member would benefit from the support.

To make it easier for leaders to apply Region will be updating the application process to just one form in 2026. Look out in the Region newsletter and on the region website for the updated form.  

Fireworks at Wicksteed

A big thank you to all of those that volunteered at Wicksteed Park fireworks event this year. Wicksteed Park are very grateful for Girlguiding Northamptonshire's help and support in order to make this large event a success. We certainly had the best view of the fireworks on the night.  Eloise

Get ready to celebrate Word Down Syndrome Day 2026 by taking part in DSUK's Sunflower Challenge! 

We would love for your Girl Guiding unit to join us in celebrating World Down Syndrome Day by taking part in our Sunflower Challenge. 

What is the Sunflower Challenge? 

Children plant their sunflowers at the start of March and watch their sunflowers grow as we count down to World Down Syndrome Day on 21st March. The challenge serves as a beautiful metaphor for the diversity and individuality that makes each and every child special, and is a great way for children to learn about inclusion, kindness and responsibility. 

Taking part in DSUK'S Sunflower Challenge can help to fulfil requirements for various badges including Make Change, Charities, Gardening, Biodiversity and Grow Your Own.

What's in the pack? 

🌻 Sunflower seeds ready for planting 

🌻 A bright A4 poster to inspire and remind children of the challenge 

🌻 Growing instructions 

🌻 Colourful stickers to reward participation 

🌻 Access to downloadable resources so you can make the most of the challenge 

For more information and to order your pack visit our website

19th St Giles Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers had a lovely pamper evening. 

Couldn’t recommend enough, the girls absolutely loved it! Shaquillia

Thank you to Mini Luxe Privilege Spa💅😍❤️ - Contact details -

+44 7444 540298 or by instagram

The Going Away With Scheme is a resource for all adults within guiding who have completed the Leadership Qualification and wish to gain a qualification to be able to take their girls away on residential's.

All the time you spend keeping up to date in your Guiding roles can help work towards a training pin.                        

This includes both e-learnings and face to face trainings - so attending a safe space, first response or county training day will give you hours towards a pin. 

Training Record Cards are available to print from the county website, so you can record what you do and then apply to the office for your hard-earned brooches. It also explains how to count your hours and what can be included. 

Nights Away Badges

Keep track of your nights away using the record card below. When you reach 1,3,5,7,10,15,25,50,75,100,150 and 200 nights you can celebrate with a Northamptonshire nights away badge.

If you make your purchase from the county office you will need to add on postage unless collecting - order form for that below or purchase via the guiding shops in the usual way.

MacQueen House  

Information and availability for MacQueen HERE

Jubilee Campsite



Information and availability for campsite HERE

County Office - The Unity Centre - Opening times

9.30am-12.30pm Weekdays in term-time

During school holidays it is always best to email office@girlguidingnorthamptonshire.org.uk or call 01604 648740 and leave a message

You are being sent this email because you are part of Girlguiding in Northamptonshire. If you decide to unsubscribe you will no longer receive event or booking information from us.