It’s Volunteers Week and those who volunteer for charities and other worthy causes are being honoured and thanked across, not only the IW, but nationally.
On the Island two volunteers have logged up 60 years of service each for Girlguiding. They were presented with 60 Years Brooches by Chris Thornton from Girlguiding SW England Region. Linda Stone, Island Commissioner, presented gifts and cards.
Julia Downer and Rosemary Walls attended a surprise party to celebrate their 120 combined years of volunteering.
Julia and Rosemary joined Girlguiding as Brownies with the 8th Ryde (Methodist) unit and later became Guides and Sea Rangers. During their time as Sea Rangers they helped to build “Little Rascal” a 10ft. rowing boat. They attended the Rover (Scout)/Ranger Moots which were held on the Island, some at Puckpool.
Later Julia became a Leader with the 8th Ryde Guide Company and later still re-started the 1st Binstead Guides. She has been a leader for both Brownie and Guide units in the Ryde area.
Following her own love of camping she has introduced hundreds of girls to this outdoor pursuit. As well as leading groups to camps at the Girlguiding sites of Blacklands and Foxlease, camps were undertaken in Guernsey, all with many adventutes and some for a duration of 10 days.
Trips with the girls were regular adventures with Brighton Ice show and the “Big Gig” two of the favourites.
Rosemary (Rose) Walls became Tawny Owl at 8th Ryde Methodist Brownies, then Brown Owl. Later as her family arrived she became an Assistant Guide Guider at 5th Ryde and this was followed by taking over the Brownie Pack when the previous Brown Owl left.
In 1996 Julia and Rose also became joint District Commissioners for Ryde District– a position they held for 7 years. Julia also took on the position as Camp Adviser for many years.
Rose took a break from active guiding for a while and became District President but the love of Guiding got the better of her and she soon returned to Binstead Rainbows as a helper.
Their Guiding adventure goes on- dedicated volunteers.
During the evening, as well as the presentations, there was entertainment including music by Amy Jolliffe who first performed to an audience when a Guide in Julia’s Unit. Amy will soon be on the Platform 1 stage at the IW Festival.Julie and Judith provided a brilliant skit telling Julia’s Girlguiding story.
