Something from the commissioner...

The 2nd to 8th June is Volunteers week, I’d like to thank all our wonderful volunteers who donate their time to Girlguiding Northamptonshire and provide fantastic opportunities for our young members. In May the archery team held a ‘have a go at archery’ day. Thank you to the units who brought their girls and the archery team for making the day a success.

In June we are looking forward to a fun filled day at Whipsnade Zoo – there are over 1050 members booked – 21 coaches, we’ll certainly be noticed around the zoo. It has been a mammoth task organising the day – thank you Jane, Kacey, Mel and Stacy for all your hard work and to all the leaders who are bringing units. I can’t wait to see so many members having a brilliant time.

OFFICE TELEPHONE PROBLEM

Please be aware that the office telephone number (01604648740) is still not working. If you know Lynda or Katies mobile numbers please ring them direct or email office@girlguidingnorthamptonshire.org.uk and they will come back to you. Thank you.

It is with sadness that we report the passing of Dee Jones-Hayes who was a respected member of Girlguiding. 

She was honoured when appointed the President of Salcey Division in 2022 and always keen to be involved and know what was happening within the Division. 

Dee served as a volunteer for 55 years and in 2007 received the prestigious Midlands Chief Commissioners award.

Dee joined Guiding in 1967 and has been a stalwart in our organisation over the past 58years. During her volunteering she was a qualified leader in all Girlguiding sections. In addition she has also served as a District Commissioner for three separate durations.

Most of Dee’s volunteering was at Towcester where she lived involving her family and her devoted daughter Jemma who remains a leader.  Dee devoted a lot of time to Girlguiding, planning many camps for Guides and international trips. She will be a sad loss to Guiding and we will miss her expertise and mentoring skills

Sue Collinson was a leader with 2^nd Brackley Brownies for over 20 years and passed away on 31^st March.

Sue loved camping and had many camps at Jubilee, where wandering about in shorts and wellies she’d shout ‘Is everyone happy?’ and we’d all shout back ‘happy, happy, happy’.

To celebrate Sue’s love of guiding and camping Brackley district are having a camp fire at Jubilee on Sunday 13^th July 3-5pm, any one from Girlguiding or Trefoil Guild who knew Sue and would like to come are welcome. Please email ggbrackley@btinternet.com so we know how many to expect, thank you. 

EVENTS

What's happening where and when? Click on the Event for further details

TRAININGS - click on the training for further information

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

Have a go Archery Day 18 May 2025

Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, Young Leaders and Leaders from around the county joined the archery and programme team as part of Archery GB’s Start Archery Week.

Big thank you to the team of instructors running the range and helpers and to leaders that brought their girls or passed on the info, so they had the opportunity to have a go. Everyone got a certificate from ArcheryGB and a chance to purchase a badge or refreshments. We had some budding archers with very good scores throughout the day, Well done everyone!

If you are interested in becoming an archery instructor, please email oaa@girlguidingnorthamptonshire.org.uk 

NEW DATE FOR CRAZY GOLF

So much fun was had at axe throwing, now come and try some crazy golf with your peers.....

WANTED

Bell Boat helms!

Our bell boats Bluebelle and Buttercup are out most nights of the week during June and July and we have very few helms to run the sessions. Many hands make light work!

If you are interested, please email:



Bellboat@girlguidingnorthamptonshire.org.uk

Chris Trasler – County Water Activities Advisor

Poacher 2026 International Jamboree



Bookings have opened for the adventure of a lifetime in Lincolnshire! Your group can join 5,000 Scouts and Guides from across the world for a huge range of adventurous activities, exciting entertainments and lasting friendships 1 - 8 August 2026. 

Participant fee: £300

Leader fee: £30

More details can be found at www.poacher.org.uk - bookings are open until 31st October 2025, or until the event is full - whichever comes sooner.

Congratulations on completing the 'Becoming a Leader' Training



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.  

Well done to those that have been achieved this month;

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. 

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.

Going away on a residential this year?

Don’t forget to check that your venue is approved for staying overnight in. 

A list of national venues is on the Girlguiding website and Northampton County approved properties are on our website 



If it isn’t on the list please contact the advisers to arrange a visit to approve it;

Kate – guideholiday@girlguidingnorthamptonshire.org.uk or

Helen – brownieholiday@girlguidingnorthamptonshire.org.uk

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.

Girlguiding Northamptonshire are celebrating the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics with a challenge badge

Girlguiding in motion

MacQueen House

Pudding evening 10 June 7pm at St Giles Church £10

email macqueen@girlguidingnorthamptonshire.org.uk

Summer Buffet Thursday 10 July 2025 at 12.00 for 12.30pm 

Information and availability for MacQueen HERE

Jubilee Campsite

12th June Annual quiz (and very short AGM) is £8 per head to include Ploughman's Supper. Teams of 4 . Names to Jennie Lewell by Mon 9th please

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

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