With Baden-Powell Awards, Gold Awards and lots of badges to celebrate — not to mention farewell presentations to seven Guides as they moved up to the local Rangers unit — members of 1st Skegby Guides had a busier evening than usual when they gathered at Quarrydale School for the last meeting of the term.

Collecting the unit’s first Baden-Powell (BP) Challenge Awards were Jess Ross, Lucy Peake and Piper Owen. The award is the highest accolade a Guide can achieve and calls for sustained effort over a period of time, with girls required to complete 10 specific challenges plus a residential event.

“When Jess, Lucy and Piper realised they would be the first Skegby Guides to gain their BP Awards, they leapt at the chance,” said Pam Peake, one of the leaders. “They’ve all worked very hard and I’m proud to say they returned from their residential adventure with a whole new drive and maturity.”

Next on the stage were Grace Fleet, Millie Fowler and Noa Arapi, who ‘fast-tracked’ through the Guide Gold scheme to complete it before they transferred to Ashfield Rangers.

Several other members of 1st Skegby Guides are also working on their Gold awards.

The unit’s first themed badges under Girlguiding UK’s new programme were also given out, and the evening saw a special presentation to seven Guides to mark their move up to Rangers.

Each leaver took away chocolates and a card featuring photographs and memories of their time at Guides, while their parents were given a special ‘thank you’ card and a rose.

“This is a gesture we started last year, just to express our thanks to parents for all their support over the years,” explained Pam.

“We’re always sad to say farewell to our members, but I’m delighted the girls have decided to move on to our local Rangers unit. So we haven’t really lost them at all.

“1st Skegby Guides has grown incredibly over the last few years and we already have a number of Brownies keen to join us.”

Girlguiding Nottinghamshire supports and encourages girls of all ages and abilities to get the most out of life, and enquiries about membership and volunteering opportunities are always welcome. For details call County Headquarters on 0115 987 7220 or visit www.girlguidingnottinghamshire.org.uk

Pictured are the first badges under Girlguiding UK’s new programme being awarded to members of 1st Skegby Guides.