Great Getaway for Local Girls

Fifteen girls from the 1st Sutton Bonington (St Anne’s) Guide Unit were given an adventure to remember when they were taken on a ‘Great Getaway’ – a three-day stay at ICANDO in Girlguiding UK’s Commonwealth Headquarters, situated in the heart of London.

The trip was part of the Unit’s own celebrations of Guiding’s centenary: it is now 100 years since a group of girls asked Chief Scout Robert Baden–Powell to develop a movement especially for them, and 1.2 million members of Girlguiding UK are currently celebrating their centenary around the country.

‘We tried to make the trip as memorable as possible for our girls and to do things they might not experience with their parents or school. We’ve brought back plenty of pictures for our Centenary scrapbook, so I’m sure they won’t forget the adventure in a hurry,’ says Unit Leader Caroline Williams. ‘We made a guard laugh outside Buckingham Palace, and even got to go down Downing Street. The girls particularly enjoyed chatting to the policemen there, finding out about recent comings and goings and having their photos taken outside Number 10!’

Other highlights of the trip included recording vocals and dance routines at the British Music Experience, visiting the Centenary Maze at Crystal Palace – where the Unit’s latest recruits made their Guide promise - and joining a CBBC interactive tour at the BBC TV Centre in White City, during which some of the girls tried their hand at being TV presenters. ‘One of our group even got to be a weather girl!’ says Caroline.

The trip to London by Sutton Bonington Guides is just one of many special events being run at a local level to help the 9,000 members of Girlguiding Nottinghamshire make the most of this unique year.

For details on other events and volunteering opportunities, contact County headquarters on 0115 987 7220, e-mail secretary@girlguidingnottinghamshire.org.uk or visit www.girlguidingnottinghamshire.org.uk

 

Picture Caption 1.
Sutton Bonington Guides at Number 10 on their Great Getaway

Picture Caption 2.
The Great Getaway for Sutton Bonington Guides took them to the BBC TV Centre in White City.