1st Burley Guides are collecting used stamps for RNIB Christmas Appeal who recycle them into much-needed funds for thier services

Will you ask your family & friends to save stamps for us?

A collecting box is in the HQ entrance.   Please pop your stamps in the box or in the post box outside the front door if the door is locked. We will collect till the end of January – so lots of time & lots of stamps! 

How stamps make a difference

By collecting stamps you’re helping to break down the barriers that stop people with sight loss living life to the full. The RNIB accept all stamps: new or used, first or second class, foreign, first day covers, presentation packs or albums. Stamps are sold by weight and they raise £20 per kilogramme of stamps, so it’s a brilliant way to raise money.

Generally speaking the more modern the stamp the better. New issues by the post office are less likely to have been obtained by collectors and as such are more desirable. Many collectors want used stamps for the postmarks or cancellations so the odds of finding a newer issue that has gone through the post is considerably less likely than an older issue hence why these carry more value

Old stamps usually carry little to no value for many reasons. The post office have produced most series of stamps in huge volumes (billions) and as such there is an abundance of these stamps and by now all collectors will either have them or be able to obtain them very cheap. As a general rule RNIB suggest that most donations that are pre 2008 carry little value as a donation unless it is a special edition

Do the stamps need to be prepared in a certain manner?

Yes, the RNIB ask that people trim the stamps to leave an approximate margin of around 1cm around the stamps. This will ensure the perforations of the stamp aren’t damaged but will leave sufficient paper for the collector to hold and utilise. If stamps are donated with huge excesses of paper this will result in a reduced price for the stamps. We would like to stress that this is just a guide and doesn’t need to be exact and stamps that have been trimmed less or more will still be accepted

How does the RNIB make use of these funds to aid people with sight loss?

When you lose your sight, you can lose more than your ability to see.

Currently the RNIB can only reach one in three blind and partially sighted people in the UK. With your support, it doesn’t have to be like this. Here are just a few of the ways that your donation could help make every day better for blind and partially sighted people:

• £5 could help a blind or partially sighted person when they contact the RNIB Helpline.
• £10 could cover the cost of 100 blind and partially sighted people tuning into RNIB Connect Radio, run by and for people with sight loss to promote independence and reduce social isolation.
• £15 could provide free Talking Books to someone for a month, so that they can relax with a great read.
• £20 could help someone feel more confident about living with sight loss, with personalised support on a topic like reading, technology or their eye condition from the RNIB expert Advice Service.

https://www.rnib.org.uk/donations-and-fundraising/fundraising-your-community/stamps-appeal

It is traditional for members of Girlguiding to go camping in the summer months.

It was feared that this may not happen in 2021 but we were wrong! Girls and leaders are made of sterner stuff and planning went ahead in anticipation of campsites being able to accept campers. Our faith was rewarded and we camped with over 20  guiding members under canvas.

1st Burley Guides went to Waddow Hall, Clitheroe (Girlguiding’s northern Activity and Training Centre) for five days. The theme was Olympics so all activities were based round the Olympic games. Each patrol was a country taking part in the Games.

Sue Vint, Leader said: “We went kayaking on the River Ribble, did zip wire, tree climbing and crate stacking.  We made fake wounds, played newspaper hockey, plus welly wanging and water team games.  On the last night of our camp it is traditional to have a fancy dress campfire – so all had to wear something that resembled their country.   There were some excellent home-made costumes!

Everyone took part in making meals, serving and clearing up.  Meals were cooked traditionally on a wood fire.   Guides also learnt to cook on portable gas stoves, barbecues & made a camp oven to cook fairy cakes.

Two Guides made their Promise during the tree climbing activity – one right at the top of the tree!”

Most Guides gained their Skill Builder Camp, stage 3 & 4. The Leaders agreed it was a very good camp and great to get back together after such a long time apart. The girls loved it & so did the Leaders!

The commitment of the Leaders is amazing – they followed all Covid instructions, completed complicated Risk Assessments and pulled out all the stops to make sure Girlguiding’s camping opportunities were not denied. The girls and parents responded admirably by conforming to all requests and ensuring that the events could take place safely and successfully.

Judging by parent comments, the girls had a fantastic time and parents were very appreciative of the Leaders having provided them this opportunity.