Ranger Unit Report 2016

2016 was the 100th Anniversary for the Senior Section of Girlguiding and our unit took part in several of the Centenary celebrations throughout the year.

We took part in several Challenge badges such as Home Nations, and Chocolate. We had outside help to make jewellery and used our previous knowledge to make paracord bracelets. We made CD clocks and Candles, whilst welcoming Mossley Hill Senior Section to our meeting.

The Summer Term saw 12 new members which took some getting used to. We were mainly involved in training for the Expedition section of the Bronze D of E Award. The unit attended Cotswold Outdoors shop to gain information regarding clothing and equipment. We had a large number this year, 14 in total which was a challenge with equipment but we coped. The older group managed to complete the Silver Expedition at October Half Term which will ease the pressure next year.

The night before the Assessment walk, a number of us dressed up, to attend the County Centenary Masked Ball at the Adelphi Hotel, it was a great night. The next morning = a bit of a wakeup call – the girls were dressed for a 7 mile walk carrying haversacks!! We had a visit from our County Commissioner to our meeting who viewed us planning expeditions and taking part in the Super Heroes Challenge badge.

The unit took part in the Division Sponsored Walk and as part of Girlguiding Senior Section’s Centenary challenge we made 100 cakes which the girls sold at Church Parade all money raised was sent to Macmillan Nurses.

Chief Guide Awards were gained by Charlotte H and Hattie who were presented at the Division Presentation evening and Kayleigh who was presented later in the year. To end the Summer term we had a Unit end of term meal at The Tavern.

During the summer Charlotte H went on a Region trip to Armenia, after a lot of fundraising, to do Community work and attend their summer camp. She really enjoyed the experience and is now visiting local groups to tell them of her experience.

Autumn Term started with a Trip to the Annual Mersey Moot Activity Camp at Tawd Vale site, a new experience for the girls who attended but to be repeated this year. During the weekend 6 members made their promise on site. We made Thank you cards for our Veteran Armed Forces seeking treatment at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, and also had a visit from So to Speak, the sexual health company for two sessions which was also enjoyed.

December was a busy month we went to London and stayed at Pax Lodge – one of Guiding World Centres, enjoyed a West End show, some sightseeing and a trip to Camden Market for some retail therapy.

We held an end of term party and then visited the Holiday Inn Hotel in town, to hold an end of Centenary year meal at Holiday Inn, Lime Street, again an opportunity to dress up meeting up with another unit - Merseyside County Senior Section. This was a great end to a memorable year for us all.

Thanks to Catriona and Lesley for their help and Peter for Assessing the D of E Expeditions and helping at camp. Ann Aspinwall