We are sure it won’t surprise anyone to know that Templefields gets part of it’s name from one of our well known historic sites – Temple Newsam. The grounds and parkland are regularly used by the many units that are just a short walk away. This has been more of a challenge during 2020, but we are Girlguiding, so we will find a way! Some units are meeting virtually and encouraging girls to have ‘Adventures at Home’.
The ‘fields’ part of Templefields also has a historic element to it too. Although many have now been built upon, there have always been fields to the north of our division that surround the villages of Scholes, Barwick-in-Elmet and Aberford. Like lots of fields in our area, one of these was the site of a famous battle in Anglo Saxon times. Of course, we are more likely to use fields for camping these days, but sadly our Brownie and Guide holidays had to be cancelled or postponed.
To make up for missing out, some of our units held virtual camps instead. Some girls were brave enough to camp in their back gardens, whilst some made sleeping pods to camp indoors. There was lots of cooking, baking, eating, making and even some virtual campfires.
Colton Rainbows, Brownies and Guides usually meet at Temple Newsam at the end of the summer term for a picnic. They decided that if they couldn’t get to Temple Newsam, they would bring Temple Newsam to them, with a virtual picnic on Zoom. The staff at Temple Newsam house did a Tik Tok video in period costume and a podcast from Jimmy at the farm tending to the very cute farm animals. In return the Brownies painted stones with pretty patterns and flowers to put in the walled garden.
1st Manston Guides managed to squeeze in a couple of sessions outdoors over the summer months and really enjoyed a rare opportunity to see each other in person. 2nd Halton Guides have been even braver and continued to meet outdoors for as long as they were able to in the Autumn term. Well done to the leaders who have done a great job at adapting to whatever the weather has thrown at them!
2nd Halton Guides tried out some interest badges and had a ‘Bake Off’ challenge; the girls baked up a storm and 8 of them completed their confectionary badge. The leaders across our division loved choosing the winners from photos but it’s a shame there was no tasting!
Whilst we have all been busy adapting to a new way of Girlguiding, one of our deputy division commissioners was also busy adapting her wedding – congratulations to Lucy who got married in the summer!
Congratulations to all the girls who have earned their first badge, completed their first theme award, earned their Bronze or Silver awards or just joined in and challenged themselves to do something new.
Well done to Sarah, Emily, Vicky and Laura who completed their Leadership qualifications this year, and to Gemma who completed her Going Away With license.
Whilst it’s difficult to plan anything at the moment, as Division Commissioner I am really looking forward to when we can meet in person again as I will have so many awards to hand out, and we can celebrate all our achievements and what a great team we are in Templefields.
