As COVID restrictions have eased, many of the Burley-in-Wharfedale Scout and Guide groups have already returned to face to face activities. Throughout the last few months all leaders have been planning safe and enjoyable programmes, operating within the parameters of national guidelines. The young people involved have been loving the opportunities to take part in activities, seeing other members of their groups, and having fun.

Guiding units are continuing to meet face to face: some inside, some outside. Where possible, units are also using other venues around the village to prevent clashes with units who want to use rooms at the HQ at the same time.  Groups have used Wynches Activity Centre, Sun Lane Nature Reserve, Burley Park & the Recreation ground.

The Guiding units have been engaged in a variety of activities such as litter picking in Burley, geo-caching and run a village treasure hunt. Meanwhile the Rangers have resumed Duke of Edinburgh’s Award activities with expeditions for Bronze & Silver level.
Looking ahead, assuming restrictions are not tightened, 1st Guides are going on summer camp to Waddow at the end of July for 5 days, with over half the guides planning on attending.

In other news, Guide leader Cara Woods gained her Queens Guide Award in Feb 2020. The Queen’s Guide award is the highest award you can work towards in guiding. Although originally awarded to Guides, it is now only attainable by members of the Senior Section (including Rangers, Young Leaders and Leaders) aged between 16- 25. It is a challenging programme comparable to the Queen’s Scout and higher than Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Since the awards creation 60 years ago 20,000 young women have gained the award. Unfortunately due to Covid she has not been presented with it, so there will be a presentation in the grounds of our HQ for a small number of invited guests. Congratulations & well done Cara!

The Scouting groups have been similarly active. Most recently the Beavers been to Wynches Activity Centre in Burley for some outdoor fun, and the Scouts have been out at Reva Scouts Water Activity Centre near Bingley. Meanwhile the Explorers have got an overnight camp planned (in hammocks!) at Sconce. They are also planning on undertaking Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award activities in October.

The Booths supermarket collection that the local fundraisers held this weekend raised £1427, a superb amount from some very generous customers at Booths. All sections of the Group were represented with  youngsters (and parents!) packing backs for customers.

On the evening of 21st April,  Burley Scout & Guide Group celebrated HM The Queen’s 90th birthday in Grange Park.   Over 200 Rainbows, Beavers, Brownies, Cubs, Guides, Rangers & Explorers & their leaders paraded from their HQ in Peel Place to the park with all their flags.  A fantastic & colourful sight that many villagers came to watch.

We entertained them all by singing a range of campfire style songs, many of the villagers joining in.  The younger girls and boys also learned to dance round a maypole.   At around 7pm the Colour Party of an Explorer & two Rangers unfurled the Union Jack & everyone sang the National Anthem.   At the same time as the Queen lit a beacon in Windsor, Betty Fisher – a 90 year old resident of Burley, lit our beacon in the park.   It was a lovely sunny evening & a very happy event