September – Back to Guiding, Back to It!

September is upon us, and after a long, very hot summer holiday, units are starting to return and get back into the swing of things. Thoughts are turning to autumn activities, Skills Builders, UMA’s – and, of course, the C word… Christmas!

It has been a busy summer for the County, and one of the highlights was seeing Girlguiding Northamptonshire represented at CarFest, which was held in the County for the first time at Silverstone.

I was privileged to be invited to attend and see the event for myself. A huge thank you must go to Chris Trasler, who put in many hours bringing together a fantastic team of volunteers to represent the County and support CarFest across the weekend.

A very big thank you and well done to Louise Drake, Phoebe Cox, Julie Harvey and Joanna Poole for giving up their weekend and getting involved. We must also mention our newly appointed Vice President, Carol Henry, who represented the County and supported the Midlands PR stand. It was wonderful to see so many Girlguiding volunteers getting involved and showcasing what we do.

Connect 2026

With September comes Connect 2026, which is now just a couple of weeks away.

As the name suggests, Connect is all about having the opportunity to connect with other volunteers, meet old friends, make new ones, share ideas and enjoy some time together.

Bookings have been extended, so if you haven’t booked yet, please do! And if you cannot commit to the whole day, why not come along for either the morning or afternoon session? We would love to see you there.

Growing our County Team

The County Team continues to grow, and it is fantastic to have new volunteers joining us in key roles.

We now have a Rainbow Lead Volunteer and a Duke of Edinburgh Lead Volunteer in place, and a County Ranger and Young Leader Lead Volunteer have also recently been appointed.

There are still some roles to fill, so if you have ever thought that you might like to be part of the County Team, please get in touch. You don’t have to know exactly what you would like to do – come and have a chat with us and see where your skills, experience and enthusiasm could make a difference.

As we start a new academic year, we wish you all a fantastic September and hope that your units have a great start back after the summer break.

And finally, if you are planning an event and would like to invite any of the County Team along, please send the details to office@girlguidingnorthamptonshire.org.uk. We would love to hear from you and, where we can, come along and support you.

Here’s to another busy, exciting and fun-filled Guiding year!

Mandy, Helen, Lesley and Chris

Northamptonshire County Commissioner Team

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EVENTS

What's happening where and when?

Join us for Connect 2026

A day of Inspiration. Network, Learn and Lead with Confidence

Date: Saturday 19 September 2026

Time: 9am to 4pm

Venue: Northampton High School, Newport Pagnell Road, NN4 6UU

This joint event is for all volunteers, with sessions tailored to different stages of your guiding journey:

• Young Leader Connect – for young leaders aged 14–17

Get ready for a day that puts you in charge. Join other young leaders for hands-on training that helps you plan brilliant adventures for your unit. From getting out and about, to shaping activities, to running everything safely and confidently. By the end of the day, you’ll walk away with a complete plan you can use straight away.

• Leaders in Training Connect – for anyone working on the leadership development programme

Step into your leadership journey with confidence. This day is designed to help you dive deeper into the Girlguiding programme, explore how to adapt activities for every girl, and complete one of your mandatory LDP sessions. You’ll leave feeling empowered, informed, and ready to bring brilliant guiding experiences to life.

• Leaders Connect – for all other adult volunteers, inc. unit helpers

Join us for Connect 2026 a day dedicated to inspiring leaders like you! This is your chance to connect with other volunteers, share experiences, and gain fresh insights to enrich your guiding journey. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to enhance your leadership skills. You have a choice of sessions to broaden your horizons. 

Please use the Book Here button by to secure your place. We’d love to see you there for a day packed with inspiration, practical learning and the chance to meet others from across Northamptonshire.

Additional information:

Please bring a packed lunch and a mug or bottle — hot and cold drinks will be provided.

The Trefoil House shop will be on site during the day, and you will be emailed an order form so your can be ready to collect on the day.

If you have any questions please contact training@girlguidingnorthamptonshire.org.uk

Lynsey McIntosh 

Chair of Adult Support 

DBS - Please start your DBS as soon as you are notified that you require one as in some cases it can sit at the LPF (local police force) for over 70 days and this can mean you will be unable to take part in a camp or sleepover.

Digital - If you choose the digital process for the DBS and are not sure if you have completed everything properly, ring the county office 01604 648740 or email office@girlguidingnorthamptonshire.org.uk and they can let you know. 

If you would like to complete your DBS manually (in person), the county office can help with that too, contact us using the details above

Roller Disco Extravaganza!

Saturday 24 October 2026

Calling all Rainbows, Brownies, Guides & Rangers/Young Leaders

• Rainbows & Brownies 12 noon -2.00pm
• Guides & Rangers/Young Leaders 2.30pm-4.30pm

Get your skates on and join us for a fun-filled Roller Disco. Dance, laugh and roll with your friends to some brilliant tunes!

Venue - Benham Sports Centre, Moulton Park, Northampton

Cost £10 including a badge for all skating

TRAININGS

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

UPCOMING FIRST RESPONSE TRAININGS

All trainings will be held at the County Office, The Unity Centre, Unit 1 Brookfield, Duncan Close, Moulton Park NN3 6WL

Wear uniform or comfortable clothes. Bring a packed lunch and a drink and a paper and pen. This course is FREE

The first response e-learning will also need to be completed on the learning platform

Lynsey McIntosh is the training co-ordinator and adult support contact so please email her on training@girlguidingnorthamptonshire.org.uk

Nicky Smith is the Leader in Training co-ordinator and can allocate a mentor email ldp@girlguidingnorthamptonshire.org.uk

Lesley Ingle is the Commissioner Mentor and Leader in Training Mentor and can be contacted on accleadership@girlguidingnorthamptonshire.org.uk

Hilary Whitwell



Hilary sadly died very suddenly in June. Hilary had been involved in Guiding in Kettering all her life and was still active in Guiding; assisting units and volunteering in the County shop. In later years she was also a member of the Trefoil Guild which she thoroughly enjoyed. We will all miss her humour and cheerful outlook but are grateful for the time she gave to Guiding at unit, District and Division levels.

Girlguiding Midlands are holding an event for all 18+ volunteers

Fri 16 oct-Sun 18 Oct 2026

Event information

Try, Inspire, Qualify is a one stop shop for everything outdoors – try new things, be inspired yourself with ideas to try in your units and support your programme. Gain experience/ find out information about outdoor qualifications. Join us for a weekend of skills and fun with friends outdoors! There is also the option to join us for the day. Places are limited – don’t delay!

Full weekend cost Friday – Sunday (cost £130)

Saturday (day only) cost – £35

Sunday (day only) cost – £35

Read our FAQs

Book your place

On one of the hottest days this year, Eva, Bea and Jess from 4^th Towcester Guides received their Gold Awards and were presented with a cake to celebrate with their Pack.

Exciting opportunity!

The 4 Seasons sleepout is back!

SAVE THE DATES - 4 Fridays in 2027:

22 Jan, 5 March (Hope Centre 'help out to sleep out') 16 July and 8 Oct

I am looking for an adult team to help run the event. Tasks include running activities for the girls once shelters/tents have been put up, 1^st aider and leader(s) to look after girls coming without a leader. I have a QM.

I you would like to be involved, have any questions or ideas please ping me an email accoutdoors@girlguidingnorthamptonshire.org.uk

by 24 September 2026



Chris Trasler

Assistant County Commissioner Outdoors

Shooting Starts Circus Skills - Give your unit a night to remember!

(Don't Worry, Leaders Can Join in Too! )



Now taking bookings for Autumn/Winter 2026

Click here to contact us...

or click here to read our amazing reviews!

The Queen's Guide Award is the highest award you can work towards in Girlguiding. This award is open to members aged 16 to 30. You have 3 years to complete it or up until your 31st Birthday.

There are 5 sections; Personal Development Challenge, Guiding Challenge, Community Action Challenge, Lead the Way Challenge and Social Experience Challenge.

For more information; queensguide@girlguidingnorthamptonshire.org.uk

Use the QR code to fill out on your phone or fill out on your pc HERE

If you would rather print the form and post it please use the link to the pdf below

Girlguiding and the DofE



Are you a Guide? Ranger? Young leader? Adult member aged 14-24? And most importantly – up for a challenge?

I'm Katie, I have taken on the county DofE advisor role, I am hoping to grow DofE in the county to give the girls some amazing experiences like I have had.

Below is some guidance for unit leaders and volunteers about doing the volunteering section of DofE within guiding and some general information about the DofE programme.

I will also be running an introduction to DofE sessions at Trefoil House soon. If you feel like you have any more DofE related questions or would like some help on a more specific issue, please email me on dofe@girlguidingnorthamptonshire.org.uk

Advice for Volunteers

Advice for Leaders

Katie Ward is our new DofE Lead Volunteer for more information email dofe@girlguidingnorthamptonshire.org.uk

Training Record Cards are available to print from the county website

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. Buy from the local shops or use the form below to purchase from the county office (you will need to add on postage unless collecting)

We have two properties in the county that you can book for days, evenings or overnights.....

MacQueen House  

Information and availability for MacQueen HERE

Jubilee Campsite



Information and availability for campsite HERE

How to contact the HQ safeguarding team

If you have a safeguarding concern, report it. If it’s an emergency and there’s an immediate risk of harm, you must call the emergency services first, and then report to the HQ safeguarding team.

Get in touch during office hours on +44(0)207 834 6242 ext. 3037 or email safeguarding@girlguiding.org.uk

For out of hours emergencies, call +44(0)7508 032997 (5-10pm Monday to Friday; 9am-10pm Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays).

Midlands Region Grants – free money

Apply now using the current forms available HERE if your unit or an individual member would benefit from the support.

2027 Gang Show will be held at:

The Core at Corby Cube, with a total of 5 Performances:  

Weds 17^th, Thurs 18^th, Fri 19^th, Sat. 20^th March 2027 (Matinee/ Eve.)

Registration for Glendon Gang Show 2027 will take place at:

Woodcroft Scout Centre, London Road, Kettering, NN15 6NQ

Sunday 20^th September 2026       2:00 - 3:30/4:00 pm

Sunday 27^th September 2026       2:00 - 3:30/4:00 pm

(you only need to attend one of the dates)

Any young person listed below can register their interest to be in the Show, by attending one of the above events.

                            Scouting:                              Girlguiding: 

                            Cub                                        Brownie

                       (Aged over 8 years on 1st September 2026)

                            Scout                                     Guide

                            Explorer                                 Ranger

                           Young Leader                      Young Leader

                            Network / Leader                Leader

                (Aged under 25 years on 20^th March 2027 – Last Day of Show)

Young people should attend in their Full Uniform, along with their Parents / Guardian. Further information about the Show, will be provided at the Registration Day(s), together with the rehearsal schedule and the expectations of commitment. Rehearsals will broadly be held at Woodcroft Scout Centre, Kettering, should there be any changes during the rehearsal period, due to room availability, these will be communicated to you in good time. The whole registration event, should last no longer than 1-1½ Hrs. Please note, there will be a one-off registration payment of £15 per cast member, to cover Show administration and rehearsal costs.

Should you be unable to attend on either of the days shown, please contact: 

Julie Barton – Cast & Adult administrator     Email: gangshow@glendonscouts.org.uk     Tel: 07875 044298

If you can help in any way towards the Show, or would like further information, please get in touch with us.

Mark Phipps            /     Chris Curchin

Tel: 07505 131046          Tel: 07971 817454

Bring the Battle of Naseby to Your Meeting Place

Discover the story of Naseby 1645 by welcoming a member of our team to your meeting place.

You’ll learn: why the battle took place, what happened on the day, what the aftermath meant for the Civil War

Leaders:

Naseby 1645 is a ready-made programme for Scouts, Girl Guides and Cadets meetings. The team will run most of the session — you simply open and close the meeting and help keep everyone focused during the presentation.

Best of all, it’s free! Contact us at enquiries@naseby.com

County Shop – Kettering

We have been renovating the County shop over the summer break and look forward to welcoming customers new and old. Please pass on our details to your unit parents.

During September 2026 we will open on Monday and Tuesday evenings from 5pm – 7pm as well as our normal Saturday opening (10am – 12 noon).

From October 2026 we will switch our open evening to Tuesday only 5pm – 7pm. This is in response to a survey of customers who say they would find Tuesday more convenient. We will review the opening hours later in the term so let us know what you think.

Come along, see the new shop and the new uniform.

County Office - The Unity Centre

Do some photocopying or get help with your DBS or any other aspect of Go!

We are open 9.30am-12.30pm Weekdays in term-time. During school holidays it is always best to call 01604 648740 or email office@girlguidingnorthamptonshire.org.uk

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