Batheaston Brownies visited by Winter Olympics Medal Winner Amy Williams: 17th Bath Brownies

17th Bath (Batheaston) Brownies had a special treat on 29th June when Winter Olympic gold medal winner Amy Williams came to visit them. The girls had completed a Marathon Bounce of 26 minutes in aid of CLIC when Amy called in. The girls interviewed her about her diet and training regime and Amy encouraged the girls to eat plenty of healthy fruit and veg and get to bed early. She then let them try her medal on. "I was really excited to meet a real Olympic athlete. I got a signed photo and got wear her medal too!" said Lucy Chandler aged 7.

Bathford Brownies Celebrate the Centenary of Girl Guiding : Girlguiding UK

Fifteen Brownies from Bathford joined more than three hundred seven to ten-year-old girls to experience the thrills and spills of adventure at a PGL activity centre in Torquay. The ’Big Brownie Takeover’ took place over the Bank Holiday weekend in early May to mark the first 100 years of guiding.

For most of the girls it was their first weekend away from family, a challenge for parents and girls alike. The Brownies had three hot meals a day, and slept (eventually) in dormitories in the magnificent main house. They were led in singing and team activities by the tireless PGL staff. Following a wet campfire sing-along, the Brownies were treated to an amazing firework display on the Saturday evening.

During the weekend Bathford girls tried abseiling, climbing, and archery (mostly in the rain to add to the challenge!) and joined other Brownies from all over the region to compete in team challenge activities. Amy, aged 9, commented "abseiling was fun because it was like falling out of an airplane! I have learned to be brave!"

The girls agreed that the most exciting activity was a challenge during which they had to build and climb a tower of crates at least 8 feet high then leap off, being suspended by ropes held by their friends! "It’s like flying" Katrin, aged 7, remarked with a smile on her face.

For the adult leaders from Bathford it was their first experience of taking the Brownies away. "The facilities and support provided by PGL was amazing" explained Vanessa, Bathford’s Brown Owl. "I will definitely be planning a future trip and recommend it all families and groups looking for a safe, yet challenging environment."

Bathford Brownies and Rainbows can only run meetings and activities thanks to the help of volunteers. Both groups are saying goodbye to highly valued helpers this summer and both are desperate for help to start in September or earlier. Adult help is needed once or twice a month in term times at their meetings held in the early evening. Brownies are aged 7-10 years and Rainbows are younger, aged 5-7 years. Both groups are really popular with local girls. Although mums help keep the groups running, without an extra regular volunteer each there is a danger the groups might have to close.

Centenary Launch Party: Bath Division

Girlguiding Bath Division held its Centenary Launch Party on Saturday 5th September at Bath Racecourse. Over 500 current members and 350 guests who had previously been members came along. This was a huge undertaking for the Division, involving many months of planning but it really was a once in a lifetime opportunity for us all to get together to celebrate such a remarkable event.

On arrival the Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Senior Section members joined five coloured groups and received their matching colour party bag, containing the Greatest Adventure booklet. Leaders, Trefoil Guild members and adult guests received blue or red bags and a souvenir booklet.

On offer to the girls were age-based activities in five zones:
Adventure: Pioneering, Bouncy Castle, Giant Games and Inflatable Obstacle course
Music/Dance: Drumming Worksop and Campfire Singing
Heritage: ‘Cinema’ for viewing the Girlguiding UK Launch Party, a timeline, old uniforms and a ‘what was it used for’ picture quiz.
Creativity: Head Dresses and Spoon Pals for Rainbows and Brownies, Bead Brooches, Bookworms and Pot Pourri for Guides and above and card making for all.
Common Threads: Memory Wall, putting a stitch or two into a Centenary Banner, a shopping opportunity and a re-join us point.

We were fortunate that Gill Slocombe, our Region Chief Commissioner was able to visit and cut the celebration cake, which had been made by local chef Martin Blunos. We are delighted that the Mayor of Bath could also join us and had time to tour the site.

We were not deterred by the weather from finishing our event with ‘campfire’ singing, albeit inside our very large marquees sheltering from the rain rather than on the grass in the sunshine. We hope the following pictures give you a flavour of the event and the fun you can have as part of Girlguiding Bath Division.

Brownies Visit Bath Guildhall: 17th Bath Brownies

17th Bath (Batheaston) Brownies recently visited the Guildhall, Charlotte Nind tells what happened..

We arrived at the Guildhall and met Councillor David Belotti. We had some snacks and juice and he told us about himself and some features around the room. Then he gave us a tour and we came into a room full of pictures of old mayors, we stopped and looked at them for a minute. Next we walked into a massive room and hanging from the ceiling were huge chandeliers that are worth £1M each!
After that we went into a room called The Meeting Room and we had a go at speaking into the microphones. Then we stood on the step, had our photo taken and said "goodbye".

Brownies Change the World with WaterAid Fundraiser: 17th Bath Brownies

Come help the 17th Bath Brownies raise money for Wateraid!
Saturday 30th May, 2 – 4pm in the Church Hall, School Lane, Batheaston.
Brownies will be singing songs about the importance of clean water, serving tea and coffee and selling bric – a – brac, cakes and other treats!
Your support is greatly appreciated! We hope to see you there!!

Pack Sleepover: 17th Bath Brownies

Batheaston Brownies recently enjoyed a sleepover on 25th April, this is what the girls thought:

When we arrived at the sleepover, we had a snack, it was like a feast. Then we went downstairs to play a few games and made pizzas for tea. At the indoor campfire we made smores and sang songs, it was really cool. We watched Princess Diaries in bed with popcorn and hot chocolate! In the morning we had fresh fruit, some yummy cereal and yoghurt. The best bit for me was, all of it!
Molly, 9

It was great fun!!!!!!!! I loved the bit when we got to have a DVD and popcorn and hot chocolate in our bed!!!! And I loved it when did the ball and the circus games!! I think we need to understand the quiet rules at bed time!! But everything else was perfect!!
Sarah, 9

Nativity Service: 1st South District Rainbows, 24th Bath Brownies

Rainbows and Brownies from the United Reformed Church, Odd Down, Bath have ended the term with a Carol Service and Nativity play. The Rainbows dressed as Angels and the Brownies came as Shepherds and Kings. Some of the 24th Bath Guides also attended and a promise ceremony was held, during the service, for one Brownie and one Guide. Family and friends packed the church and there was even a visit at the end from Father Christmas. You can see pictures from the nativity here.

Everyone at the URC Rainbows, Brownies and Guides wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Christmas Celebration Craft Evening: 1st South District Rainbows, 24th Bath Brownies

Rainbows and Brownies from the United Reformed Church at Odd Down have been taking part in a joint Christmas Celebration Craft Evening. The girls aged 5-10 took part in a variety of Christmas themed activities with a host of crafts and cooking on offer.

Each Rainbow and Brownie who attended received the unique U.R.C. Rainbows and Brownies Christmas Celebration Badge.

Everyone involved had a lovely evening and the Christmas Theme kicked off the festive celebrations perfectly!

You can see some pictures of the evening here.

Allison Dagger
1st South Bath Rainbows

Happy 50th Birthday to St Barts!: 33rd St Bartholomews Brownies

Girguiding Bath Division would like to say a very happy 50th birthday to the 33rd St Bartholomews Brownie pack! We hope all the girls enjoy their party and look forward to seeing some pictures soon!
Watch this space!

Thankyou!: Bath Division

We'd just like to say thankyou to all of our volunteers within Bath Division. If you feel you can spare the time, please use the contact form to get in touch. Here is what one of our newest volunteers had to say:

"Just wanted to say thank you for putting me in touch with the Brownie Group. The Brownies are all delightful and the helpers are all really friendly and welcoming. I have only been a couple of weeks, but I thought I'd just say thank you, and that I'm very much enjoying it so far!"