Festive fun and charitable work
At the beginning of December this year Caley Rangers took part in the Christmas Tree festival at the Parish Church, Otley.
This annual event offers 40 local charities the opportunity to decorate a tree to celebrate and promote the work they do, and to raise money either for their own or another worthy cause. It attracts hundreds of people from the local community and surrounding areas who visit to take in the Christmas spirit. Many people see this as the start of the Christmas period and often bring with them bags of coins they’ve saved up during the year to donate to their favourite charities and the most eye-catching trees.
This year Caley Rangers chose to use old badges instead of baubles. They draped the tree in a colourful paper chain made up of the different section colours (red for Rainbows, gold for Brownies, blue for Guides and purple for Rangers) with lines from our promise threaded throughout.
The ‘badge’ tree was a huge success, with many people appreciating the nod to one of the favourite things for many members of Girlguiding – collecting badges!
Sadly, the trees have to be taken down at the end of the festival week, but not before a special carol service is held to celebrate the charities represented by each of the trees.
Notes:
- The Otley Parish Church Christmas Tree Festival is held from Wednesday to Saturday during the first week of December. Please check local press for details of dates and times for 2025.
- Rangers is the section of Girlguiding for young members aged 14-18. Rangers is an open and relaxed space, where members can regularly meet up with good friends, go on trips at home and abroad, and help make a difference to the things they care about.
