This summer the cubs went off to Blackhills Scout Campsite
Situated to the North West of Bradford, Blackhills Scout Campsite is set in some 40 acres of unspoilt rural woodland and proved a haven of fun and adventure
Over this summer our Rainbows have been up to all sorts of adventures and we thought you might like to see some of our photos
We’ve had a trip to test the play equipment in the park here in Burley and thought it might be fun to see just how many Rainbows you can get on a climbing frame
We’ve also had a visit from Owl Adventures mobile zoo from Ripon who brought us a tortoise, a small owl, a corn snake, oh…and a boa constrictor!
We’ve had an adventure day at Wynches
And then we had a Gold and Bronze awards presentation
Phew! What a summer…whatever’s next
The Burley-in-Wharefdale Scout and Guide Group held their Annual General Meeting on the 16th June.
John Spencer the Chair thanked everybody for their help over this period, especially Beryl Thompson the group treasurer, Mike Robinson the Group Secretary and Howard Thompson the HQ manager for thier governance and trusteeship. He also thanked Darren Hewett the new Group Scout Leader and Sue Vint for keeping the Scout and Guide groups going during the last year.
Although covered in the covered in detail by the Treasurer’s report, the finances of the group are in a very good condition. We have now fully paid for all the building works and professional fees associated with the new HQ. We decided as an executive to carry on with the new build or capital account which is separate from the general day to day running account. The contributions from the individual subscriptions to the capital account will continue. This will allow a fund to build up for the upkeep and maintenance of the building and for the improvement of the facilities
Sue Vint, the Guilding Group Leader reported that as Covid restrictions were relaxed through the year, we increased our guiding activities. As a result Guiding continues to flourish in Burley-in-Wharfedale. We still have nine full units (3 Rainbows, 3 Brownies, 2 Guides & Rangers) with 192 girls, & we have waiting lists for each section.
Meanwhile Darren Hewett, the Scouting Group Leader reported that over the last year, Beavers have increased their numbers to 24, and continued to offer a varied programme which included badge work covering areas such as adventure, teamwork, health and fitness, while also building skills in areas such as cooking and money. Over the same period the Watson and Forster Cub packs have run sessions covering a range of activities from: Astronomy, Backwoods Cooking, Fire Safety and Emergency Aid to name just a few.
Full details of all reports can be found here:
1st Burley Guides and 3rd Burley Brownies recently had a visit from Prickly Pigs Hedgehog Rescue in Otley. The girls met two of the hedgehogs – Rhubarb & Betty, and learned all about how they are looked after at the Centre.
The hogs were very lively and quite nosey, running around the HQ, sniffing and investigating us all. The girls had a wonderful time, many never having seen a hedgehog before. They loved it. The girls also learned how to encourage hedgehogs to visit out gardens, what they love to eat and how we can help them if we find a hedgehog in the day time. The Brownies & Guides collected tins & pouches of meaty cat and dog food to help feed the orphaned hogs.
The Prickly Pig Rescue Centre is run entirely by volunteers. They take in sick, orphaned & injured hedgehogs, and raises the public awareness of the plight of Britain’s hedgehogs.
Find them at https://www.pricklypigs.co.uk/?fbclid=IwAR0nX8AuinwMieKGFvGEv4tH6r1vyU2hSsa7okF7DEk4igrioxpLQt93KB4
or on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pricklypigshedgehogrescue
On the first week of April all Rainbows, Brownies, Guides & Rangers in Wharfedale Division abandoned wearing their uniforms & wore blue & yellow, the colours of the Ukrainian flag, to their meetings! They raised money for the Girlguiding WAGGGS (World Association of Girl Guides & Girl Scouts) Ukraine Appeal by giving a donation for not wearing their uniform. Wharfedale guiding covers Addingham, Ilkley, Ben Rhydding, Burley & Menston the twenty four units raised a staggering £1,200 for the Appeal.
Some units also held raffles, cake sales & had an honesty donation box.
WAGGGS have thanked us & shared with us with how the money is being used for the Ukraine Emergency Appeal. See below.
“Your donation is being used to support 500 volunteers to work in refugee camps and at the border of Ukraine. The work, activities and the care of volunteers in the field require various technical and material equipment, and training. You are helping to provide suitable conditions, supplies and transportation for Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting volunteers to deliver for refugees as they flee the war. Pop up kitchens have offered a warm welcome to refugees with a warm meal & a place to rest. Some Girl Guides have shown cartoons on a wide screen to keep children occupied while the parents are dealing with documents and the state institutions.
The Polish Girl Guides Association have developed a project to support local Girl Guide leaders and units to provide psychological support for all Girl Guides and Girl Scouts providing a service for refugees. In addition, the project will provide training for all Girl Scout and Girl Guide units hosting Ukrainian children for activities to ensure they feel welcomed and involved. It will allow unit leaders to learn how best they can support Ukrainian refugee children and the struggles they will be facing.
Additionally Polish Girl Guides Association will use some of these funds to replenish all camping equipment that was distributed to Ukrainian refugees since the war began. Selflessly they shared all their equipment they had with refugee centres and now their own Girl Scouting groups have no equipment for their events, camps and activities ahead this summer. Your donation will be used to ensure Girl Scouts in Poland are still able enjoy the Girl Scouting experience.”
We all had loads of fun raising the money as you can see!
Well done everyone in Wharfedale, that is an awesome total!
Sue Vint, Burley Group Guide Leader and a Wharfedale Guiding Commissioner is the first to be presented a Girlguiding Hero Award. This is an award for members or friends of Girlguiding who have done something special, and Sue definitely fits into that category!
After a very difficult year for everyone and circumstances we could never have imagined, now is a good time to show our appreciation to members or friends of Girlguiding who have done something wonderful that has in some way helped others, and that’s why this Girlguiding Hero award has been created. The certificate was signed by the chief guide, chief commissioner and county commissioner to show that throughout the organisation Sue’s efforts are truly appreciated.
County Commissioner Kay Bolton said: “Sue has been Guiding for over 25 years. She has been a constant support to all of her Leaders and volunteers in her roles as District and Division Commissioner, especially during lockdown. With her excellent communication skills she has encouraged all units to continue to meet safely, helping to complete extensive risk assessments and ensuring they are up to date with all the relevant training and information. Her constant dedication and commitment is remarkable.”
Congratulations Sue – very well deserved, from all of us here in Burley.
Being part of the local community is an important aspect of Scouting and Guiding in Burley. It was enormously rewarding to see that the 2021 Santa Float around the village raised around £1400 in donations which is being shared between the Scouts & Guides as well as two local charities in order to spread some Christmas cheers and help those less fortunate than ourselves.
£500 is being given to both Homeless Hampers and BEACON (Bradford Ecumenical Asylum Concern)
Homeless Hampers
Homeless Hampers provide essentials in the form of hampers to those who are in shelters or on the streets. As a charity they strive to challenge the public’s perception of the homeless and promote positive engagement with the vulnerable. Volunteers are always needed to help distributing hampers to those on the streets and to help in the local shelters and more information can be found on their web site
https://homelesshampers.co.uk/
BEACON (Bradford Ecumenical Asylum Concern)
BEACON is a small charity which addresses the varied needs of the many people seeking asylum who find themselves in the Bradford district. They aim to foster a culture of welcome and hospitality alongside the provision of practical support such as: