17th Sheffield Brownies - Annual Report.
We have had an exciting year which started with a sleepover in London. We travelled by coach with a number of Sheffield United fans going to their Wembley play-off match. After leaving our kit at Girlguiding’s shop on Buckingham Palace Rd, we found ourselves outside Buckingham Palace and surrounded by youngsters completing the kids’ marathon.
We then hurried to Westminster Abbey to visit the Baden Powell memorials, before it closed for a service. We were met by Jason, a volunteer who was very keen to talk about the impending coronation and show us all King Charles’ coronation regalia. We were then invited to sit in the choir stalls where we sang Brownie Bells to the tune of Big Ben. By this time the Abbey had emptied so we hurried to the back for a brief view of the BP memorials and learnt about the Unknown Warrior’s tomb.
The rest of the week-end was just as memorable. When trying to cross over to Downing Street to stand outside No. 10, we were swept along in the Extinction Rebellion parade and, when walking in St James Park, we saw the pelicans who had only just been released after being isolated to protect them from avian flu. On Sunday morning, after visiting the Royal Mews, one of the elite runners who had completed the London Marathon showed us his medallion.
Other activities during the year included fruit picking and games in my garden (just before I moved), a Parents’ Job Fair, participating in the church’s Remembrance Service, our own Pet Show, Brownie Fair, Chip Shop walk through Endcliffe Park, visiting Yorkshire Wildlife Park and a recent Easter Egg hunt followed by egg rolling in Kenwood Hotel’s grounds and a Division Camp last summer.
We couldn’t have done all this without Poppy, who I’m pleased to say soon returned following the birth of baby Ewan, plus Charlotte and Emily, and teenagers Rosa, Millie and Belle.
ST ANDREW’S GUIDES are also thriving with good leaders offering them a variety of challenging experiences.
ST ANDREW’S HALL ACTIVITIES - Chris Venables
Chaired by Tim Major, the 72nd Scout leaders continue to maintain St Andrew’s Hall, under contract with the church. It’s in excellent order, popular for kids’ parties and well used by the Baden Powell groups and other organisations such as Dog Training, badminton, Art and Drama groups and Tango classes.