Seven Queen’s Guides, all ex-members of 4th Urmston Guide unit in Greater Manchester West, celebrated over 50 years of friendship with a weekend away at Waddow Hall last weekend. 

It seemed poignant to choose a Girlguiding venue and we were not disappointed. Our stay was very comfortable and the staff were friendly and helpful. As we walked around the grounds, it was great to see the property well used by Leaders on trainings and girls attending day activities. We were allocated the garden room for our sole use, which contained much interesting Guiding memorabilia. We even had some of our own, as we shared photos of our times at camp and in gang shows. 

Each of us provided a Guide themed activity or something we remembered from our Guiding days. From skills we learned and challenges we have faced throughout our lives, to Kim’s game, quizzes, charades and iris folding card making, we chatted through them all, just like our Guides today. Fitting as many things as possible in a matchbox became quite competitive, as did constructing a mini wash table with all the lashings! We surprised ourselves how many knots we remembered and how difficult it was to learn new ones. When it came to a campfire, with our indoor artificial fire, we excelled ourselves as the words and actions came flooding back. Old fashioned or daft? Not at all. It was fun and friendship, which is as much a part of Girlguiding today. 

Guiding has helped shaped each and every one of us and we remember our ‘Captain’ fondly and with respect. Here is a picture of us all with “Captain”, Mrs Royle, and one of us all at Waddow. Thank you Waddow Hall for a wonderful weekend and thank you Girlguiding.

Rosemary