12 months of the Trefoil Guild

I thought it was fitting to do an annual report for Forest Hall Trefoil Guild in the spirit of Christmas. I've spent many hours trying to do something that on the face of it seems quite simple but I'm not a poet or a songwriter so some of the lines don't scan quite right so as long as you don't try to sing it out loud (and believe me I've tried using youtube as my backing music when the house is empty) and take it in the spirit that its intended it kind of works.

In the 1st month of 2014 the Trefoil Guild agreed to plan an exciting year of activities

Collingwood Monument

In the 2nd month of 2014 the Trefoil Guild agreed to be detectives by the North Sea and plan an exciting year of activities








In the 3rd month of 2014 the Trefoil Guild agreed to relax and find with their inner animal,
play detectives beside the  North Sea and plan an exciting year of activities

My egg turned out nothing like this!

In the 4th Month of 2014 the Trefoil Guild agreed to celebrate Easter with eggs, balloons and string, find inner animals, play detectives beside the North Sea and plan an exciting year of activities








In the 5th Month of 2014 the Trefoil Guild agreed to sample Fairtrade food and wine
4 String Eggs
3 inner animals
2 detectives and
an exciting year of activities

In the 6th  month of 2014 the Trefoil Guild agreed on a trip to see the Vicar of Dibley
5 Fairtrade wines
4 String Eggs
3 inner animals
2 detectives and
an exciting year of activities

In the 7th month of 2014 the Trefoil Guild agreed that Mexico was the place to be
6 theatre visits
5 Fairtrade wines
4 String Eggs
3 inner animals
2 detectives and
an exciting year of activities

In the 8th month of 2014 the Trefoil Guild agreed to go to the Shire Horse for a meal,
7 Mexicans
6 theatre visits
5 Fairtrade wines
4 String Eggs
3 inner animals
2 detectives and
an exciting year of activities




In the 9th month of 2014 the Trefoil Guild agreed to paint pigs for a Rainbow charity
8 Shire Horses
7 Mexicans
6 theatre visits
5 Fairtrade wines
4 String Eggs
3 inner animals
2 detectives and
an exciting year of activities

In the 10th month of 2014 the Trefoil Guild agreed to celebrate 50 years with 50p's
9 Painted pigs
8 Shire Horses
7 Mexicans
6 theatre visits
5 Fairtrade wines
4 String Eggs
3 inner animals
2 detectives and
an exciting year of activities

In the 11th month of 2014 theTrefoil Guild agreed that our first birthday called for food and drink at Amicis
10 50p challenges
9 painted pigs
8 Shire Horses
7 Mexicans
6 theatre visits
5 Fairtrade wines
4 String Eggs
3 inner animals
2 detectives and
an exciting year of activities

In the 12th month of 2014 the Trefoil guild agreed to once again eat and drink merrily,
11 birthday wishes
10 50p challenges
9 painted pigs
8 Shire Horses
7 Mexicans
6 theatre visits
5 Fairtrade wines
4 String Eggs
3 inner animals
2 detectives and
an exciting year of activities

A brilliant year with some lovely friends and I look forward to 2015

Sunday is a day of rest!

Another day, another Christmas trip. This time I was off to Whitehouse Farm near Morpeth (www.whitehousefarmcentre.co.uk) with the Division Brownies for their Christmas outing. I have taken Rainbows here before so knew that I was in for a good but cold day and I was not disappointed. Three layers on top, two on the bottom, thick coat, hat and gloves, I was determined not to be cold. It was a lot less stressful for me as I was helping a Brownie unit but didn't have any of the added responsibility of organising anything. I just had to turn up and herd them all around.

The Brownies started by writing letters to Santa and going to see Santa and the Good Fairy then it was off to Elf School and before you knew it, time for dinner. 

The day was not without its challenges

1. Going to the toilet with 3 layers of clothes on

2. Trying to drink my coffee at lunchtime before it all leaked out of the crack in the bottom. 

3. Trying to take a selfie to show I was there without the sun blinding me. As you can see from the photo it was very sunny but that photo is deceptive, it was a biting cold wind.

Despite these personal challenges there was still time for the Brownies to see real reindeers, feed some of the animals in the barns and very quickly walk past the rather smelly pigs. We also saw a rather large bird but couldn't decide if it was an emu or an ostrich, whatever it was it was big. The Brownies decided to ride the toy tractors as if they were Formula 1 cars before going to the Animal Barn. This seemed to cause more excitement than seeing Santa when the Brownies had the chance to hold, pet or squeeze animals, wear a very large snake round their shoulders or a tarantula on their head. I supervised from a distance. The day ended with a ride on the real farm tractor and the warmth of the soft play (this won over going to watch an owl display in the very open, cold, windy field I cannot understand why) Then, after getting a reply to the letter that was written at the beginning of the day, it was back home.

Another 7.5 hours on the Service element of the Voyage award.

Where are the dancing waiters?

For the Benton Division Rainbow Christmas outing we went to Tanfield Railway (www.tanfield-railway.co.uk) for the Santa Express. It all started way back in September when I co-ordinated the application for the tickets from Girlguiding North East England.

I cannot believe it was 2011 when we last did this trip but it was such a success I had no hesitation in doing it again. So with all my numbers and credit card at the ready I went to book the tickets on-line. First problem: the on-line booking system wouldn't let me do it for the numbers I wanted. Second problem: I e-mailed the organisers to ask how to get the order done and the reply was "we don't actually have that many tickets left but leave it with us" Hats off to all who sorted it out behind the scenes and arranged for an extra train to be put on so we could all travel together.

So on 5th December 105 excited adults and children and one harassed Joanna left for Tanfield. Apart from the coach driver missing the well signposted turning and a Rainbow with a desperate need for the toilet we got to Tanfield in time.

All we had to do was get them on the train, in the right carriages, in the dark and without losing anyone. It was going well until I was standing in the cafe passing on messages, my units safely on the train.........so who was this standing in front of me, a Rainbow who was supposed to be on the train! One Rainbow leader summed it up as  "its like herding kittens" and she is right.

Eventually we were all on the steam train and off we went. It was like a mystery trip as it was so dark outside and not much lighter inside as the carriages are all authentic and had very little light. It didn't seem to bother most of my Rainbows. Out of the darkness loomed the North Pole station all brightly lit and off we jumped to go and see Santa. Its lovely taking the Rainbows as they are so excited about it all. Santa talked to them all and they all got a present then it was time for snacks, drinks and opening presents.

Then back on the train to return to the bus, waiting to get our goodie bags the Rainbows loved the steam coming from the train and the sound of the whistle. It all added to the magical experience.

We all got goodie bags with presents and badges from Girlguiding North East England and it was time to get back on the bus to go home. I couldn't believe how fast the time went. I thought the excitement would have worn them all out and they would sleep going home. Silly me, they were even noisier going home with the added excitement of the game - how often can I drop my present/sweets/gloves on the floor without Joanna getting annoyed.

And the dancing waiters? One Rainbow said the train journey was boring as there were no dancing waiters like the Polar Express film. Well if she had only said sooner I would have done a dance for her in the aisle. Do you think that would have satisfied her?

That is another section of the Voyage Award completed "Plan and participate in an event of at least 10 hours' duration"

And the countdown to the sleepover begins

I was so relieved when more Rainbows paid deposits for the sleepover. We now have 9 possibly 10 Rainbows going so it will definitely go ahead in the New Year. After deciding to do a sleepover, I would have been disheartened if I had to postpone it due to low numbers.


Even more important, it will be the last part of my Voyage award -  Skills. If I couldn't do the sleepover I wouldn't be able to get the Girlguiding qualification that is needed to fulfil the criteria. 

Rainbows 4 - 0 Teddies

On Monday I went to the North Tyneside Trefoil Guild County Executive Meeting which is a very grand title for an enjoyable morning with the Chairman, Secretary and Treasurers from the other Guilds in North Tyneside. It gives me another perspective on Guiding especially as I'm the youngest one there by quite a bit.

When we go round the members asking for news from the Guilds.... this lady is poorly, that one is housebound, another is very ill and me "We've had a baby" Of course this is the collective Trefoil Guild we and the actual mother is Lynsey with her beautiful baby Ilana.

We were told that there are 10 people in the County doing the Voyage Award (5 of which are from Forest Hall) and 725 nationally. I also saw a Bronze Voyage Award Brooch for the first time as the County Chairman had two to present to  Ann Elliot and Ella Baxter from our County. Well done to them both.

I came away with some tasks:

• Find a non-denominational, inspirational reading for the North East England AGM which is being held in Newcastle and find someone to read it. 
• Find two willing volunteers to be Stewards at the event which will involve directing traffic and taking care of any problems inside the venue. 
• Rally the Guild to actual go to the AGM at a cost of £5 (but free if you agree to be a steward).
• Organise the North Tyneside AGM in March and find a speaker.
• Sell some Trefoil Guild pens to raise some funds and promote the Guild

I can tick off selling the pens, getting someone to do the reading (when we find it), finding a speaker and getting support of our Guild with the organising of the AGM. 

Monday night was our regular Trefoil Guild meeting and we celebrated our first birthday with a visit to our local Pizzeria Amici's.

Tuesday was my Rainbow night and the night I would find out if the sleepover was a hit with the Rainbows. Three returned the form and the deposit and another after a talk with me said they would bring the money next week. Hope this week brings a few more, would hate to cancel it now.

And finally the answers to the 5T questions

1. great, fantastic OUTSTANDING
2. move SHIFT
3. use to record weight or height CHART
4. pay for things at a COUNTER
4. not a full amount FRACTION
6. prime number THIRTEEN OR NINETEEN
7. not savoury SWEET
8. 1st 2nd or 3rd POSITION
9. wait/pause HESITATE
10. from the Wizard of Oz DOROTHY

Two teddies or one that is the most important question

So far I haven't done anything for the skills category of the Voyage Award but that is about to change.  My Rainbow units have never done a sleepover so I've taken the big step of deciding to work towards an Overnight Licence. This is part of the Girlguiding Camp and Holiday Scheme and lets me run overnight events for my Rainbow unit.

I've already helped on a couple of sleepovers with other Rainbows units so have an idea of what is expected but its still a big leap to have the responsibility of it all. But the time is right, I have a fantastic team in the unit who will all help me and plenty of people who I can call on for advice when I panic (and I will).

I've picked a date in January, I've booked a venue and decided on the theme now all I need is the Rainbows to say yes.

This week I talked to the Rainbows about it and they were, shall I say, slightly excited. Amongst all the chatter were questions:

Can I bring 2 teddies?
What are we going to sleep on?
Are we sleeping here in our hall?
Do I get a badge?

As this is my first sleepover and I wanted to have the girls really excited about it that they would persuade their parents to say yes you can go I picked the theme of "Frozen". For those (and there must be some out there) who don't know this is the most popular Disney film of this year.  But I still wanted the girls to be part of the planning of the sleepover so  I asked them what they wanted to do on the sleepover.....funny no-one said sleep but they did say games, make something and eat. Think we'll be able to do all that.

I'm now waiting to find out if any Rainbows are going to come. Now that I've built myself up to do it I don't want to have to put it off, fingers crossed.

The Golden Girls of Forest Hall

I've been browsing through the note books and photos that were given to me when I became the Chairperson of our Guild. There is a photo album which states that our Guild was formed in 1964 so it has reached the grand old age of 50. Throughout all the photos, whether black and white or colour just like the current members it is women getting together and enjoying themselves whether it was having tea and biscuits, a trip to the garden centre, weekends away to Whittonstall (which I can remember going to as a Guide) or taking part in a barn dance. The common thread between then and now is food and drink.

We went through plenty of suggestions for how to celebrate this birthday: 50 lengths of the pool, 50 exercise classes, 50 photos of the Chairperson (me) in different locations in the North East, a 50's style afternoon tea, read 50 books.

In the end we did a night of challenges none of which involved food but did use a 50p. Although in the planning  I thought we could split into 2 teams for the challenges and the winning team would win a bar of chocolate each. Unfortunately we only had 6 people at that meeting so not enough to split into teams but just enough for us all to "win" a bar chocolate".

The challenges we did were

• flip a 50p off the side of the table and catch it
• carry a 50p between your knees and drop it in a cup
• how many items can you place on a 50p
• how many pictures can you draw using the 50p as the template
• who can balance a 50p on their nose for the longest
• who can get their 50p nearest the bottle
• balance a 50p on your finger and walk to the end of the room and back
• build a structure out of a sheet of paper to support the 50p
• and finally, a quiz by Joanne about the 5th T.

The 5th T I can hear you ask, well so did we so here is the quiz.

The fifth letter is a T

1. great, fantastic _ _ _ _ t _ _ _ _ _ _
2. move _ _ _ _ t
3. use to record weight or height _ _ _ _ t
4. pay for things at a _ _ _ _ t _ _
4. not a full amount _ _ _ _ t _ _ _
6. prime number _ _ _ _ t _ _ _
7. not savoury _ _ _ _ t
8. 1st 2nd or 3rd _ _ _ _t_ _ _
9. wait/pause _ _ _ _ t_ _ _
10. from the Wizard of Oz _ _ _ _  t _  _

For some this will probably be easy for others it may take a bit longer - just like the teams on the night. I was going to put the answers upside down at the bottom of this post but I cannot work out how so I will put them in the next post. They might be upside down they might not, you'll just have to wait and see.

The Great British Beach Clean

1st Forest Hall Guides and 4 members of Forest Hall Trefoil Guild were found on Tynemouth Longsands this morning to help with the Great British Beach Clean organised by the Marine Conservation Society. The beach was deserted when we arrived.

In groups of three, armed with a litter picker, black bag, thick gloves and a clip board we roamed a 100m area from the high tide area to the dunes looking for litter. We had to log everything that was found and that is used for the annual summary report prepared by the society about the state of our beaches. 

I was impressed by how clean the beach was and most of the litter was just on the tide line so was probably washed up with the last tide. There were not many others there to do the clean so it was just as well we turned up. It is an activity that all ages could take part in so keep your eyes open for the next one, I would do it again. 

For more information take a look at www.mcsuk.org/greatbritishbeachclean

This little piggy........

Forest Hall Trefoil Guild meet up every second Monday of the month and when I started this blog I said I would include what we do at the meetings. This month we were painting pigs. Kelly suggested we decorated the pigs to help a relative who is involved with a charity that helps bereaved children. The charity visits schools to explain about their work and give out the pig money boxes asking that they are used for donations for the charity. Kelly couldn't remember their name but it had Rainbow in it so there is a loose Guiding connection! Anyway for two hours we sat and painted with barely a word spoken as we concentrated. Here are my 4 little piggies, started off painting them all but the last one was spotty for quickness.

 Here are the rest of the pigs, our creative juices were certainly flowing that night.

100 hats in 100 days part 2

After taking my hats to the Post Office they were handed over with a heavy heart. Also slightly worried, what if they went missing in the post? No money could replace the time and sense of achievement I felt. So it was with relief  I read the post on Crafty Aid to say the hats had arrived in Hampshire. It's the end of my involvement with the hats but the start of a long journey to Uganda.

And in case you're wondering......no I haven't knitted any more since then but did buy some new wool yesterday ready to start again.

100 hats in 100 days

As part of "learning a new skill" I thought I would learn to crochet. My Mum used to crochet squares and take them to Oxfam so I thought I would give it a go. I tried many moons ago but could never master turning a corner. I spent an afternoon browsing the Internet to see who I could do the squares for and where they could be sent. Inevitably I got distracted by websites about knitting hats for premature babies so I thought I would investigate that instead. I found a group called Crafty Aid on facebook, the members of it knit hats (among other things) for a maternity hospital in Uganda. Inspiration struck - one of the sections of the Voyage Award is Explore my World and a category is Global. One of the suggestions is to "get involved with a global charity for 20 hours", from that came my plan. I started on the 6th May 2014 and kept timings to make sure I did 20 hours. After knitting about 15 hats I decided I needed to make it more of a challenge. As I lay in bed one night mulling this over it seemed appropriate that as Brownies are 100 years old this year I should knit 100 hats in 100 days. The next morning I worked out 100 days from 6th May which would take me up to 2 days before my holidays so I thought that was a sign and would do it. To make sure I kept to the target I announced it on Facebook  so that I now had to do it. 

The charity is the Basingstoke Hoima Partnership for Health  http://www.bhph.org.uk/home.  Amongst other activities, midwives and nurses go out to Hoima in Uganda to help in the maternity hospital. They take medical supplies and items for the babies - like hats.

Crafty Aid (https://www.facebook.com/groups/CraftyAid/) on Facebook help to co-ordinate desperately needed items for newborn babies in Uganda to help their survival. The hats are given to the new babies when they are born to help keep them warm which surprises me. I think of Africa as a hot country so why do babies need to wear woolly hats. Many new born babies in Uganda die of hypothermia which is frightening. The hats have to be in bright colours as that is what the mothers want. They also have to be in darkish colours as they are put on the baby when it is born and stay with that child until it no longer fits. If they are washed it would probably be in cold water so our traditional baby colours would be no good as they would soon look grubby. 

So the challenge was on and every night I sat and knitted a hat and then my brain started ticking over again. As I said Brownies are 100 years old this year and there are many enthusiastic badge collectors who are collecting badges commemorating the centenary. I have never designed a badge before and so I tentatively asked if anyone would be interested and the proceeds would go towards the cost of the wool and postage. I was overwhelmed with the response of people who wanted to buy it. I had 100 made (in keeping with the theme) and have practically sold them all which I never expected. Some very kind Guiding people also donated extra money or sent me wool to help. 

The final week of the challenge was looming and I got a bit worried as I knew I was out for 2 nights so I doubled my efforts. Normally I knit one hat a night and then stop but for the last week I just knitted until I'd had enough. And I did it, I was so proud of myself for sticking to it.

Today was the final step posting them off to the co-ordinator and they will be on their way to Uganda very soon.

I think I've satisfied the time requirement of 20 hours! It has actually taken about 150 hours and that doesn't include the sewing up (the part I hate doing). What will I do next?

How do you add a website to a blog?

That was my question of the day and the answer was easy once I worked out how to do it. So as this blog is about my Trefoil Guild and Guiding experience I thought I'd start with them. I've also played around with the colour of the text. Let's just say it's a work in progress. I had a sense of achievement today - I thought I would google Voyage Award to see what is out there and lo and behold what did I find......my blog comes up on page 3. At first when I saw it I thought how strange that's the same as mine then realised it was mine! I know there is a way to get it bumped up higher in searches so maybe that should go on my to do list.

Time to do something for myself

The Voyage Award is split into 5 sections and the hours you are required to do on each section varies but overall it is expected to take at least 12 months. : The sections and hours for the Bronze award are:
Service - 40 hours
Myself - 40 hours
Teamwork - 10 hours
Skills - 20 hours
Explore my World - 20 hours

It sounds scary when its written like that but the hours are stacking up apart from one category - Myself. I seen to have a problem doing things for myself. The section is divided into three categories Mind, Body and Heritage.

This is a long post as I'm looking back to 22nd February when I started the award to see what I've actually done for myself.

On 22nd February, with Forest Hall Trefoil Guild, i did a Treasure Trail around Tynemouth . We wandered around Tynemouth searching for answers to clues which helped us to find out the murder of a local dentist. I like knowing about our local heritage and found out new facts about  Tynemouth. There was a building I've passed hundreds of times which was actually Tynemouths first train station.

This day was special as we also made our Trefoil Guild promise in front of the Priory.

In June I joined some members of another Trefoil Guild to do a city walk in Newcastle. we started outside the Central Station and meandered through the streets of an area that was once a very select place to live. How often when you walk up Westgate Road do you look above the streets and shops to see the buildings above? At one time all the best families in Newcastle lived in these houses. In a graveyard beside the Evening Chronicle offices I found out that before the 1st World War one of the crypts was opened the body removed and a printing press hidden in it. It was put there so if Britain was invaded there would still be  a way of promoting the free press. The same happened in the 2nd World War. Nobody knows what happened to the body! We ended up at St Nicholas' Cathedral and had tea and scones. a lovely morning in good company.

I'm trying something new by writing this blog though I need to develop my skills with this, I want to add links to websites and learn to read the data it produces. I think a few people have read it - even in America. I have also learnt if you press a key and the whole post disappears that I should not panic it is still there in draft form (a heart-stopping lesson learnt today)

I've also tried something new by learning to paint a room. My mum always said she never learnt to paint because if she could do it my dad wouldn't. Well I like that approach so followed that philosophy for years but now I've decided its time to learn to paint. I started with my son's room. He wasn't impressed that he was my first attempt but I had to start somewhere.

What did I learn?
No matter how hard you try, paint will always find the bit of carpet that you don't cover.
A white ceiling has a magnet  that attracts your paintbrush even though you actually want to paint the wall
There is no point in finding the roll of masking tape after you have finished
You never have enough paint to finish and have to go out for more.
Will I try it again? Of course but as I'm sure as everyone knows preparation is the key to it all so I will try to be more organised next time.

One of the suggestions for this category is to achieve a dream. When I was a child I went to London with my family and I can remember camping in Slough and I think we went to London Zoo. It might be a false memory but I do know that I have wanted to go for a few years but never got there. This year in April I went to London. I  googled London Zoo before I went but decided it was too expensive but on the train down I picked up a leaflet with offers on and one of them was 2 for 1 admission to London Zoo so I decided that was a sign that I had to go. We walked through Regents Park to the Zoo and spent many hours there. I loved it and my favourite animals were the giraffes.

Whilst in London - another sign - the Olympic Park was opened to the public for the first time on the weekend we were there so I had to go. When the 2012 Olympics were on I hoped that one day I would be able to visit the park so with the bribe to my daughter of visiting the Westfield Shopping Centre and to my son of going to a football match at Leyton Orient I got to achieve my dream. The actual arena was still closed but we had a wander round and I took many photos of the ArcelorMittal Orbit but couldn't persuade anyone to go up it. I'll just have to go back sometime (maybe another dream for the Silver award.)

Well if you've stuck with me through that well done, looks like I'm not doing too bad for that section - need to check it all is acceptable but it even if it doesn't its a record of some good times and as a learning point for writing blogs, do posts more often so that they are not too long.

North Tyneside Big Brownie Birthday

6th July 2014 was the day of our Celebration for the Brownies 100th birthday. Beaconsfield at Tynemouth was taken over by the Girlguiding North Tyneside County team who had worked so hard to prepare for the day. Bouncy castles, Puppet shows, fun races, a fashion show of Brownie uniforms, an archive display of photographs, the North Tyneside Steel Band and plenty of sideshows to test your skills. I was in the craft tent helping children make Rosebuds. It was a bit fiddly but the children all did so well making them and patiently waiting in line for their turn. I made sure they knew that when Brownies started they were called Rosebuds. It was a great day and even the sun decided to join in the fun. Another 4.5 hours of volunteering for the Voyage Award.

A Very Pink Weekend

For the Bronze level of The Voyage Award the time requirement is 40 hours of Service. Now I could do this no bother over 12 months with my existing guiding commitments but that wouldn't be a challenge. So far I have helped  at 4th Killingworth Brownies at their meeting and with 1st Forest Hall Guides doing their Onesie Walk which was a sponsored walk from the Rising Sun Country Park to their meeting place in Forest Hall. I can also count the time I spend in my role as Trefoil Guild Chairperson. However this is also covered by volunteering with a charity so I decided to help at the at the Cancer Research events at Gosforth Park Racecourse, Newcastle on the weekend of 19th and 20th July.  On Saturday  I was up early to report for duty at 8:15 for the Newcastle Pretty Muddy Race for Life. I was an obstacle marshal and was armed with a fluorescent jacket and a radio. My job on the day to make sure the ladies got over the obstacles and encourage those who needed it. I was on the first obstacle so most were still excited at the run ahead and not at all muddy. There were all shapes and sizes of ladies and all ages but all of them were up for the challenge.Those tubes were bigger and firmer than they appear but there was lots of laughter going over them.

Sunday meant another early morning and  back there again for the Race for Life. I was a race marshal this time and was at a point where the race splits - I lost my direction sheet to start with which made me doubt my ability to send people the right way but never mind, I manned my spot and no one got lost.  

Before the race I had time to practice a new skill - a selfie on my new phone just to prove I was there.

Towards the end of the run people are more tired and need a bit more encouragement but most managed a smile when I said there wasn't much further to go. At one point I felt quite emotional seeing people running with names of loved ones on their back. I didn't think it would be very encouraging to be standing their crying so fortunately the sun was out so out came the sunglasses. I was so proud of all these people for making the effort  and felt my part was just a little to help them on their way yet even though some had hardly any energy left they still smiled and said thank you for marshaling. There was a great uplifiting spirit which kept them going until the end. A very important job was to make sure everyone knew when the last person passed your point. This was so when the end was reached there were plenty of people at the finishing line to cheer them in. It doesn't matter how fast or how slow you do the race the fact that you've attempted it is important. a great weekend - see you all next year Ladies. 

It all added up to 13 1/2 hours of volunteering  and a very tired Joanna

Success

So far I've created a blog, played around with the layout, managed to edit the title, change the timezone to London and someone else has looked at it, I will take that as a successful first day at the school of writing blogs.

Try something new

A blank page and absolutely no idea how to start writing a blog so I'll introduce myself. I am Joanna and I am a member of Forest Hall Trefoil Guild. Who is that you might be thinking - we are part of Girlguiding and our strapline is Guiding for Adults. I am part of a group of wonderful ladies who are all active members of Girlguiding.

The reason for the blog -  I started the Voyage Award on 22nd February 2014. This is a personal challenge with three levels, starting with  Bronze. I'll tell you more about this later. It is split into different sections one of which is called "Myself" and that has a category called "Mind"  For this I have to try something new so I decided to try writing a blog. I will use this to record what I personally am doing for the award and also what is happening with Forest Hall Trefoil Guild.

That's the introduction, next challenge is learning how to upload this and try to put on photos to show how I've spent my weekend volunteering at the Race For Life, but that's another category of the award so i'll save that for another post.