County News

On Sunday  28^th June, Girlguiding Sussex Central county continued its tradition of holding the annual Awards Presentation at the South of England Showground, Ardingly.

The event was split into two parts. In the morning, the achievements of Rainbows and Brownies were celebrated, and in the afternoon, it was the turn of Guides, Young Leaders & Volunteers.

Before the morning presentations took place, Wendy Colson, County Commissioner, and Caroline Hitchcock, current Chair of Awards welcomed the younger members and their families to a magic show performed by Magic Ritchie.  As expected, the Rainbows & Brownies thoroughly enjoyed the performance before receiving their Gold Awards from County Vice Presidents, Janet Samuel and Lisa Barden. Gold Awards are the highest programme awards available to each section and are given for completing all the appropriate clauses in their respective programmes.

In the afternoon, in addition to family & friends, the county was delighted to welcome special invited guests, many of whom were kind enough to present awards. They included: Georgina, Duchess of Norfolk, representing Lady Emma Barnard, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of West Sussex; Jo Shiner, Chief Constable of Sussex Police; Rev Richard Coldicott, Vicar of Hurstpierpoint, and his wife; Ann Macaulay, Girlguiding Sussex West County Commissioner; Peter Few, West Sussex Scouts; as well as various local mayors & councillors, Girlguiding ambassadors, and the guest speaker, Hannah Scholefield, local Vet and former Lower Beeding guide.

Over 100 young people & volunteers received certificates and awards over the course of the day, and there were a number of others who were unable to attend but were also recognised.

Recipients included

11 Rainbows, 38 Brownies, & 16 Guides from Burgess Hill, Crawley, East Grinstead, Haywards Heath, Horsham, Parkminster, South Down and Worth divisions, who received their Gold Awards

Recognition was also given in various other categories;

Libby from  1st Hassocks Brownies (South Down division)  received a Hero Award.  Libby has raised more than £4,000  for the charity, Rays of Sunshine. During February half term she undertook an impressive 25 mile coastal walk from Littlehampton to Rottingdean to raise money for the wonderful charity, Rays of Sunshine. The charity has been supporting Libby’s cousin, Bella, who had a liver transplant 4 weeks ago. Since the beginning of the year, Bella and her family have been staying in hospital, and Rays of Sunshine has brought much needed light and happiness during a very challenging time. Their ongoing support has been, and will continue to be, invaluable to Bella and her family.

Libby said “I really wanted to help my cousin, so we decided to walk a really long 25 miles! Sometimes my legs ached but I kept on going; through sunshine, mist, drizzle and cold. My fundraising will help many children and their families when they need sunshine in their lives. I am so proud of how we have helped Bella, our little warrior.”

Naomi; Young Leader with 3rd Haywards Heath Brownies received her Commonwealth Award; which is achieved by completing a variety of challenges associated with the Commonwealth.

Long Service Awards for 50 years of service, 40 years & 30 years were presented to adult volunteers across the county.

Eleven volunteers received either the County Commissioner’s Certificate of Appreciation and /or the Good Service Brooch which is given in recognition of excellent service within Girlguiding Sussex Central county

Surprise presentations of the County Silver Butterfly were made to four volunteers. The Butterfly recognises exceptional service to the county. One of the recipients was the current county commissioner, Wendy Colson. Caroline confessed it had been a challenge to keep it a secret as she sits on the Awards Committee!

A special WSIJ Thanks badge was presented to several volunteers who had supported the West Sussex International Jamboree held last year at the Showground after a break of eight years.  

Wendy concluded the afternoon by thanking Hannah Scholefield for her presentation. Hannah had told the audience how the skills that she had learnt in guiding had supported her in the pursuit of her career as a vet. She commented that she felt learning to be part of a team & family had particularly helped her to perform her role as Clinical Director of her practice.

Finally, Wendy thanked Caroline & her team for organising the event.

Awards presented on the day

GOLD

 Burgess Hill division

Crawley division

East Grinstead division

Haywards Heath division

Horsham division

Parkminster division

South Down division

Worth division

HERO AWARD

Libby; South Down division 1st Hassocks Brownies

COMMONWEALTH AWARD

Naomi; Haywards Heath division, Young Leader with 3rd Haywards Heath Brownies

LONG SERVICE AWARDS

50 years; Carol Johnson, 40 years; Nicola Pole, Brenda Farley, Sue Dickenson, Ita Lawton

30 years; Dawn Batchelor, Thelma Bates, Jenny Sutherland, Karen Watkins, Karen Waddell

WSIJ THANK YOU

Kaye Pyott, Ann Macaulay, Nicola Farrant, Danni Oliver, Bev Killick, Jacqui Hall, Angela Yeats, Jane Jones

COUNTY COMMISSIONER CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION

Louise Tucker, Suzanne Few, Ann Macaulay, Pauline Hyner, Thelma Bates, Rhoda Miles, Amanda Fisk, Christine Cheesmur, Pennie Thomson

GOOD SERVICE BROOCH

Rhoda Miles, Nicola Pole

SILVER BUTTERFLY

Thelma Bates, Wendy Colson, Natalie Denning, Mandy Wicking

About Girlguiding

Girlguiding is the UK’s largest youth organisation dedicated completely to girls, with around 385,000 members. Girls can do anything. We help them know that, whether they’re 4 or 18 or in between. All girls have a home at Girlguiding – whoever they are, and wherever they are. We show them a world of possibilities, big and small. We help them think big and be bold in a space where they can be themselves, get creative, explore, and have fun. We’re a powerful collective voice – with girls, led by girls – changing the world for the better. We’re over 300,000 Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers, who come together to laugh, learn, explore and have adventures, in communities across the UK and virtually. We’re almost 80,000 volunteers who make guiding happen by giving time, talent and enthusiasm.

Registered Charity No 306016 girlguiding.org.uk

For further information go to

https://www.girlguidingsussexcentralcounty.com/

https://www.girlguiding.org.uk/information-for-parents/

https://www.girlguiding.org.uk/get-involved/

Janet Samuel

Girlguiding Sussex Central

County Marketing and Communication Chair

janet_samuel@talk21.com