On a sunny Saturday afternoon in the middle of May, members of Girlguiding Isle of Wight celebrated their successes for the year with afternoon tea at Ryde Junior School.
Welcoming everyone to the event Patricia Partridge, Island President, gave a special welcome to the Island’s Lord Lieutenant Martin White and Mrs White, Sir Guy Acland, (President IW Scouting) Mrs. Anne Twining (Patron Girlguiding IW ) and Mr Sam Twining, Vice Presidents, members and friends .
In a short speech Patricia Partridge said “It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the 2013 Annual Meeting of Girlguiding Isle of Wight.
We are now over 3 years into our second century of Girlguiding, and the emphasis for us all is now on Growing Guiding – getting more girls and young women involved in this amazing organisation which equips them so well for the world they are about to enter, by instilling in them core values of loyalty, honesty, service, self reliance and self belief.
Girlguiding is increasingly working at giving girls a voice on the social issues impacting their future; from body image and mental health to equality and female role models.
Membership has increased nationally by 8000 in the last year, with total membership in the UK now standing at 546,406, and that, Scouts please note, is even without the Kate factor.
Here on the Island we have responded to the challenge of recruiting leaders by restructuring the management from Districts into Sections – a system which was introduced on 1st January this year, for a trial period of 2 years. All change can be unsettling and sometimes difficult, and I would like to thank all the leaders who have embraced these changes for the future sustainability of Girlguiding on the Island. Today gives us a chance to show people what goes on in Girlguiding Isle of Wight. “
Several Awards were presented to members by Island Commissioner Janet Lovell. These included :
Thanks Badge – Julie Jordan and Karen Newman
Island Standard – Katie Charlton, Julie Hudleston, Kay Burnley-Smith, Clare Langley, Marion O’Nions.
Girls Island Award- Jazmin Heath, Natasha Lambert, Sarah Harris, Charlotte Harris, Amelia Sartia-Crawley.
Service Awards 20 years- Caroline Franks & Ann Harvey. 10 years- Patricia Packham. 5 years-Hannah Pothecary.
The Lord Lieutenant then presented special awards to: Jenny Smart Service Award 30 years and Good Service Awards to: Felicity Harris, Suzanne Whitewood MBE, Lynda Allen & Patricia Partridge.
Patricia Partridge and Marion O’Nions (Assistant Island Commissioner) then presented Janet Lovell with an Island Standard Award for her services to Girlguiding here.
Following the presentations afternoon tea was served and this was followed by performances by some of the Island winners of ‘Perform’ a recently held Region talent competition and the winner of an all Island talent competition.
Concluding the afternoon two members, Sarah and Charlotte Harris, who were selected last year to attend International events, gave presentations on their visits to The Netherlands and Finland.
Suzanne Whitewood. (PR & Marketing GIW.)