Something from the commissioner...

October was a busy month for County – over 200 girls and adults from 32 teams took part in the after dark adventure – it was muddy – but there were lots of smiling, laughing faces on their return to MacQueen house for pizza and cakes.  A huge thank you to Cat who led the organising team and those who ran check points – it was a brilliant event.  Shaquillia organised axe throwing for Inspire leaders aged 18-30, something different just for them but I know lots of over 30’s who wanted to have a go! The guides also had a backwoods skills day, practicing their open fire cooking for the backwoods challenge weekend in November.  Thank you, Kate, for organising it with the Scouts – and Lynsey, Stacy and Jane for running the event.

Now the clocks have gone back and the evenings are cold and dark our thoughts turn towards more indoor meetings.  If you’d like something different to do with your units why not have a look at the Newlife Sparkle Challenge on the Girlguiding Midlands website it is packed with meeting ideas including a Sparkle Party, perfect to finish the term with.

EVENTS

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

TRAININGS

Click on the Training description for further details

To complete First Response, Safe Space Level 1 & 2 e-learnings or book Safe Space Level 3 webinar trainings 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

Axe throwing! a great adventure for the Inspire section

If you think you’ll never be able to hit a target with an axe- you’re wrong!

If you think axe throwing is not your thing- you’re wrong!

Get HAXED in Rushden was a great experience and lots of fun. Carl was a great instructor, he was really helpful finding the best axes and helping to improve our technique. The competitions were great, we all spent a lot of time laughing, and the facilities are top notch.

10 years old and over, get booked on to this hidden gem…..we couldn’t recommend more!

Keep a look out for the next Inspire event….you won’t want to miss it :)

Shaquillia – Inspire Co-ordinator

After Dark Adventure - Muddy but fun!

Guides, Rangers and Leaders practiced their map reading skills to navigate between 6 bases around MacQueen House. At each base there was a different challenge to find the grid reference for the next base – the girls did puzzles, became detectives to find the invisible code, practiced their Morse code and used slow exposure photography to take pictures of sparklers. There was lots of mud, laughter, team work and a welcome hot chocolate half way round

Backwoods Skills - A great day had by some of our Guides who joined Northamptonshire County Scouts for a backwoods skills day

Closing Date 31 January 2025 or when full

PLEASE SEND YOUR FORMS AS SOON AS YOU CAN

Don’t forget there is the Midlands region Make a Difference Fund for girls and Leaders who need a bit of help with funding an adventure

County is paying for the coaches and badges. Closing Date 3 May 2025

Save the date! – International opportunities

Thursday 9th January 2025 (evening) Adult members. Information related to international event and a chance to register your interest in being part of a Leader team for trips abroad

Sunday 9th February 2025 (daytime) Young members aged 12 yrs and over (Guides, Young Leaders and Rangers) Information and activities with an international theme relating to international opportunities

Please share and save the above dates. For more information

Email Jane at international@girlguidingnorthamptonshire.org

Welcome - Joanna Poole – Queens Guide Adviser shared role

Give us a brief overview of your journey in Guiding

I started Guiding as a young leader at 16, then went on to do my leadership qualification. 10 years later and I'm still here! As part of my own QGA, I arranged for Girlguiding Northamptonshire to attend Northampton Pride and I am looking forward to arranging our third year in 2025.

What is your favourite thing you have done, or the greatest achievement in Guiding

My favourite thing I have done in Guiding so far is going to Buckingham Palace to be a steward at the King's Garden Party, which was attended by Prince William among other Royals. Even though it was a very rainy day, I had an amazing time and it was lovely to meet other members from different parts of the Midlands and Wales.

What do you enjoy outside Guiding

Outside of Guiding, I enjoy watching Formula 1 and other car racing series as well as supporting Northampton Saints and England in the rugby. I am slowly learning how to make clothes.

What is your favourite animal and why

My favourite animal, besides my dog, is a turtle because they seem to go with the flow and the patterns on the shells are so distinct. I aim to be just as laid back and just as unique.

What are you looking forward to most about your new role

I am looking forward to helping other people achieve the Queen's Guide Award and seeing what topics people choose to do within the sections of the award.

Welcome - Rachael Hendry – Queens Guide Adviser shared role

Give us a brief overview of your journey in Guiding

I have been in guiding for as long as I could, and haven’t left, after completing rainbows, brownies, guides and rangers in Burton Latimer, I went to be a young leader at Irthlingborough guides and I am now a guide leader at both

What is your favourite thing you have done, or the greatest achievement in Guiding?

I have had so many amazing opportunities, however one of my favourites has got to be Swiss bliss and visiting Our Chalet. The whole week was amazing and I made friends for a life time. 

What do you enjoy outside Guiding?

Something I enjoy outside of guiding is, spending time with my friends and family.

What is your favourite animal and why?

My favourite animal is an elephant because they are very social animals- and are amazing to watch! 

What are you looking forward to most about your new role?

I am excited to help others achieve this award as I know how challenging but yet so rewarding it is. 

Nights Away Badges £1 each

There are two new stages of the county nights away badges which can be given after 3 and 7 nights away with Girlguiding.  These badges are the first of our newly designed range with updated branding and two of them feature MacQueen House and Jubilee Campsite. We are also releasing the new 15 nights away badge. Use the nights away record card to keep count.

If you make your purchase from the county office you will need to add on postage unless collecting - order form for that below, otherwise purchases can be made 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

The Olympic and Paralympic values of Excellence, Respect, Friendship and Courage, Determination, Inspiration, Equality are closely aligned with the values and promise of Girlguiding so rather than being just about sport, this challenge is about trying new things, working together and doing your best.

Money raised from sales of the badge will be going towards our county properties so they can host new experiences and adventures for our young members long into the future.

There are 5 parts to the challenge with a range of different activities and suggested UMA connections. The badge is aimed at all sections and can be adapted to the needs of your unit. There are no specific requirements to earn the badge, the most important thing is to have fun but we suggest that you undertake at least one activity from each part.

Training Brooches

Well done to all our members who have been working hard and already achieved their Training Brooches!

Do YOU have yours?

These brooches are to thank Leaders who give up even more of their time keeping up to date with trainings for their volunteer role. This includes both e-learning, virtual and face to face training - so doing your safe space, first response or simply attending our county day will give you hours towards your first brooch.

These 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. 

Wanted:

Do you like numbers – love working with spreadsheets? Have a little bit of spare time? If so, we have a county opportunity for you. County need people to join the growth team, to look at waiting lists and help identify where new units / leaders are needed and move girls from long waiting lists to units with spaces. Lots of data is available on GO and on spreadsheets from Midlands – we just need you to help interpret who needs what where!

Please email deputy1@girlguidingnorthamptonshire.org.uk if you can help.

MacQueen House

Coffee mornings

7^th November 10am - 12 noon 

Christmas Dinners 

Thursday 28^th November and Thursday 5^th December 12 for 12.30pm £20pp

Tickets from: macqueen@girlguidingnorthamptonshire.org.uk

Coffee Mornings at Northampton Trefoil House,

The Division Guide Shop

Saturdays 2/11 and 7/12 all 10 - 12 noon 

Proceeds from coffee and cake to MacQueen House. 

Information and availability HERE

Jubilee Campsite

Information and availability HERE

County Office - The Unity Centre

The Office is open every weekday morning from 9.30am to 12.30pm during school term time.

During school holidays it is always best to phone 01604 648740 or email office@girlguidingnorthamptonshire.org.uk

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