3rd Accrington St Paul's

Christmas Fair

stpaulsbrownies@googlemail.com — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:59:00 GMT

On Saturday 28th November there is to be a Christmas Fair in Accrington Town Hall.There will be refreshments available and pie and peas for £1.50. There will be toys from 50p, gift wrap and tags from 25p as well as gifts and Christmas decorations at low low prices. Please come along and support your leaders.

Growing Guiding

stpaulsbrownies@googlemail.com — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 16:05:00 GMT

In our weekly meetings the Brownies have been working on the Adventure 100 badge. Here are links to videos they have made to advertise Guiding. Please click on the group names and numbers at the bottom of this article to download the video. The group numbers are not the group numbers they were given in the meetings but refer to the order in which they completed their performances.

Group 1 was made up of 5 girls. It was made up of
Alisha, Abi, Libby, Ellie and Olivia.

Group 2 was made up of 6 girls. They were
Chloe, Jamie, Kira, Maisie, Courtney and Katie.

Group 3 was also made up of 6 girls,
Naomi, Cara, Emily, Shannon, Sahara and Halle.

Group 4 was the smallest group and consisted of
Lauren, Zoe, Madelyn and Sophie.

Some of the groups were missing members but the girls did a fabulous job regardless. Have a look and see if they have done what they set out to do and encouraged more members to join!

These video's will only be available for a limited time. Please let us know what you think! If you cannot access these please let me know and I can see if I can get them to you in an alternate format!

Laughing Owl

Harvest Church Parade

stpaulsbrownies@googlemail.com — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 11:41:00 GMT

Thank you to the Brownies who attended the Harvest Church Parade. they brought some fantastic gifts to be distributed by the Church at a later date. The Church was packed with people and our Brownies attended wearing their new Centenary neckers and full uniform.

During the service some of our Brownies were involved in reading the prayers and one was all dressed up with the Rose Queen as one of the attendants. The Brownies brought some wonderful gifts to add to those of the rest of the congregation.

All of the uniformed organisations had decorated a window in Church and the Brownies window was wonderful. With our very own Wise Owl as one of the central figures. The bonus was that the display still looked good and none of the pieces had fallen off and disappeared. Our window was focusing on the Brownie story and had a mirror as a pond and leaves that the girls had written sections of the story on. There were also the flowers the girls had made and bugs. Well what pond scene would be complete without bugs?

Mayor's Carboot Sale

stpaulsbrownies@googlemail.com — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 08:57:00 GMT

On Saturday 19th September the Mayor's Carboot sale was held on the playing field behind our half built Institute. Where you there? Did you see your Owl's on a fundraising mission? We were there with a teddy tombola and a few other bits raising money for you!

There were lots of stalls their even though the weather forecast was not fantastic! The rain held off until the event ended and the field was emptied. We were there with a Teddy Tombola with the star prize (a giant, blue shark) being won and much loved. We also had a giant blow-up basketball and basket with prizes being awarded for those who could hit the target. It proved a very popular attraction and being next to the food area brought us a few extra visitors. We were fundraising for the centenary events we will be taking part in to reduce the costs for everyone.

Centenary Launch

stpaulsbrownies@googlemail.com — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 08:50:00 GMT

The Centenary of Girl Guiding is a huge year of events for any girl or woman involved! On Friday last week (4th September) it was 100 years since a group of girls appeared at a Scout rally at Crystal Palace run by Lord Baden Powell. Girls were not allowed to do anything adventurous in those days and the Scouts were off camping, running and enjoying themselves. Girls were not allowed to go out without a chaperone to make sure they didn't carry out anything improper.He decided to set up an all girl group with the help of his sister. Brownies followed two years later as Rosebuds.

The centenary launch 100 event for all of Lancashire East brought together about 2500 members of Girl Guiding in the area. It was attended by Brownie, Rainbows, Guides and members of the Senior Section. The event ran all day, with the Rainbows going first, then Brownies, then the Guides arriving in time for a giant showcase event showing how Girl Guiding has moved on. It even starred Akela as Lord Baden Powell.

Our Brownies got to take part in a number of activities before the show. We first visited Chris and Bobby. Chris is blind and Bobby was his beautiful black Labrador/Retriever cross guide dog. I promised them I would make them famous and the pictures can be found in our gallery. They gave a talk about Bobby's role and how he helps Chris. We then moved on to another tent where we learnt to sign the alphabet. The men who were in there were deaf and gave us a talk about how it felt to be deaf through their interpreter. We then learnt how to sign out names as well as saying thank you and how to clap.

After that we moved on to find Tawny Owl. She was dressed up in an old Guider Uniform and was with a traditional camp. Full of canvas tents and proper bedding rolls. There was lots to see and learn. It was a little bit different to our modern and light weight camp from a few weeks ago.

Then we moved onto the physical activities. We got to go ice-skating! There was an ice-rink set up right where Brown Owl's tent was when we went on summer camp! This was fantastic! The girls were allowed on to the ice with brownies from other areas and they never stopped laughing. I can't help but feel some of the falls must have hurt but apparently not.

After ice-skating we moved on to the banner making area. We were given a large piece of felt and some stencils. The girls were invited to decorate the banners with sponges and paint. They looked brilliant when they were finished and we were supposed to bring them home but forgot them. Hopefully Brown Owl will retrieve them. Banner making kept us dry as there was a torrential downpour while we were doing it.

After the banner making it was the show and a number of our girls were given a cameo role in the show when they entered the stage at the end in football kit and carrying footballs. The owls were worried about the weather as the field was getting quite wet but as we took our places, the sun began to peek through the clouds and by the end of the show the sky was blue and the sun was beaming.

After the show it was party time! We went onto one of the camp-sites to party inside a big marquee with a DJ called Mad Merv! We danced to lots of traditional party songs. With Wise Owl doing a fantastic zombie impression during Thriller (we have photo's in our gallery).

Then, far too soon, it was time to come home. All wet and muddy but with huge smiles on faces. The day was spectacular and we saw lots of familiar faces on the staff. We need to say thank you to Brown Owl who was very important in the planning of the event and the running of it! So thank you to everyone who made the day as special as it turned out to be!

Summer Camp

stpaulsbrownies@googlemail.com — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 09:11:00 GMT

What a week! I'm off on holiday tomorrow to recover! We have just returned from the most action packed Summer Camp ever. It was an amazing 5 days of excitement and adventure and to add to the excitement we are going to be on the radio.

Summer Camp was a massive event which brought together Brownies from 3 different areas of Accrington. Many of the girls stayed in the beautiful Adventure House at Waddow Hall, the rest and some of the leaders spent an amazing time camping in the adjacent field. The weather was occasionally wet, yet the Brownies managed to keep their tent cleaner than mine!!! All the activities were carried out together in the House but as the interest in the camp was so vast we couldn't all fit!

The girls took part in some amazing adventurous activities, these included the crate challenge and the rock climbing (any reviews of these would be much appreciated)! There were also more sedate activites, for example space hoppers and scooters. There were lots of other activities available and they only lasted 2 days!

The first day was all about settling in. The second day we had a morning of crafts where the girls made bugs and flowers to decorate the outside of the building.In the afternoon it was the less adventurous of the activities - the grass sledging and the lawn games to name a few! Wednesday was a busy day we walked to Edisford Bridge where we had a picnic and fun in the sun before a swim in the pool to relax! A perfect end to the day was a rather warm camp fire!

Thursday was also very busy. The girls and leaders took part in a Big Cook Little Cook challenge - French Bread Pizza followed by the amazing Chocolate Pizza. After lunch we had a visit from the BBC who were making a programme to celebrate the centenary. While the BBC were visiting we took part in the more adventurous of the activities, the rock climbing, abseiling, low ropes and archery.The day ended in a party. Not just any party though, it was themed on Britains Got Talent. Throughout the week the girls were given the opportunity to perfect an act to perform before the waiting crowd! Congratulations to Cara who was declared the winner and took home an amazing trophy! Check out our gallery to see if you recognise any of our famous visitors!

Our final day was Friday. It was eviction day from the Big Brother House and the girls tidied out their rooms before being collected at 11am, all looking very tired! On the whole it was an amazing week thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended! If anyone would like to submit a review of the camp or any pictures we can add to our gallery please pass them to Laughing Owl or email:

stpaulsbrownies@googlemail.com

I apologise for the delay in posting this. I had a complete hard drive failure and was unable to make the page live!

Sausage Sizzle

stpaulsbrownies@googlemail.com — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 16:37:00 GMT

On Tuesday 14th July we were invited to take part in aSausage Sizzle with the Cubs and Beavers from St Pauls Barnfield. They were attending Bowley Scout Camp in Great Harwood to celebrate the end of their term. We were invited to join them and out sing them at their campfire. Although only 5 Brownies turned up we gave it our best shot at their indoor campfire.

We were invited to help build the campfire while the sausages were cooking on our new Barbeque that has been bought by the Owls and the Cub leaders with the proceeds of their fundraising efforts! As the sausages were cooking the clouds came over. We were quickly hurried inside and as the last person entered the Lodge at Bowley the rain started and didn't stop for an hour. The leaders used the indoor facilities to cook the sausages and everyone was sat in a circle where we had roaring renditions of some familiar camp fire songs. Then it was food time - sausage buns with ketchup and drinks.

Before the end of the night one of the Cubs took part in his moving up ceremony, while the rain had stopped. He was celebrating his final night as a Cub and will be joining the Scouts in September. We were invited to join in the celebration. So for a wonderful night we must say thank you to the Cubs and Beavers for inviting us to join them.

Beach Party

stpaulsbrownies@googlemail.com — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 16:13:00 GMT

Thursday 9th July was our last meeting this term - boo hoo! The girls decided to have a Hawaiian style beach party. As the weather wasn't too hot our Owls decorated the Institute. It was un-recognisable! There were palm trees and sea on view everywhere. There were parrots dangling from the ceiling and even the Owls (well some of them) were dressed ready for the beach.

The Brownies arrived with arm fulls of food dressed in Swimming Costumes, grass skirts and flip-flops. It was really impressive to see the girls getting in to the spirit of the evening. We kicked off with dancing to Hawaiian music (then it progressed to country music suitable for line dancing as the CD was scratched!) which was so much fun. We then had a go at the Limbo! Some of the Brownies were really good but not as good as the Owls (they cheated!).

We then had Mocktails - non alcoholic drinks! We had sparkly straws and lots of fruit. The we had food! There was a huge variety of different things - not sure how much was authentic Hawaiian but we can make it!

We had another go with the Limbo and Amy won again, she was far too flexible. Then it was time to go home! That was the end of another term!

Church Parade

stpaulsbrownies@googlemail.com — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 14:31:00 GMT

Following the Church service we took the Brownies and Cubs for a walk and a picnic in the glorious sunshine. We walked from the institute to the park at the bottom of the Coppice where we were encourages to stop and enjoy the sun by the Brownies and Cubs. We sat and watched while the Brownies played in the park, and on the grass in the surrounding areas. They also spent a period of time rolling down a grassy slope and even managed to get Brown Owl and Wise Owl involved in the fun!

At 12pm we sat and ate our picnic, the sun still beaming on us! The Brownies then played for another hour before we decided to walk home. The decision was made that we would walk half way up the Coppice before walking past the pond and home. This seemed reasonable enough until someone turned a tap on above us. We had been walking for 5 minutes when it began to drizzle. Within 2 minutes the rain was torrential. We tried walking fasted but we still got wet! We returned to the Institute at about 20 past 2 and were greeted by lots of laughing parents. Thankfully everyone seemed to find it amusing, even the leaders who were soaked to the skin!

Mayor's Parade

stpaulsbrownies@googlemail.com — Mon, 18 May 2009 11:16:00 GMT

On Sunday 17th May members of 3rd Accrington St Paul's Brownies took part in the Mayor's Parade. The parade took them from Eagle Street past the Town Hall to St James' Church for a short service and then back along the procession route to Eagle Street for a drink and a biscuit.

The parade involved parading past the new Mayor where he received a salute from all of the members of the uniformed organisations as well as the Brownies. When we reached the Church we formed two lines and saluted the Mayor and his party as they passed into the Church. We then entered the Church and sat through the short service during which we were entertained by a school choir - including one of our Brownies. There was a blessing for the new Mayor before we filtered out of the Church to make our way past the Mayor to the place we began.

There was an amazing turn out by the uniformed organisations from Hyndburn and a special thank you goes out to the 4 Brownies from 3rd Accrington St Pauls. Thankfully the weather stayed fine (almost) and the parade was a success. It was nice to support the new Mayor, who is married to one of our Beaver leaders, as he has included Guiding and Scouting in his charities for this year. It is also nice to wish him luck in his time as mayor.

Mass Enrolment

stpaulsbrownies@googlemail.com — Mon, 18 May 2009 10:53:00 GMT

On Thursday 14th May 13 members of 3rd Accrington St Pauls Brownies became full members of the organisation. They made their promises in front of the rest of the group and were given their promise badge and their six badges.

Thirteen of our Brownies took part in a traditional enrolment ceremony. They were asked to spin on the spot while reciting the lines:

The children raced over to the pool. Betty did exactly as the Owl had said:

"Twist me and turn me and show me the elf, I looked in the water and there saw myself".

taken from the Brownie story. They then recited the Brownie Law and then made their promises. As there were so many Brownies to enrol they took part in small groups. There are photo's of each group in the gallery.

When a Brownie makes her promise she becomes part of the organisation of GirlGuidingUK. Congratulations and welcome to all the girls who went through the process.

May Camp

stpaulsbrownies@googlemail.com — Thu, 07 May 2009 08:30:00 GMT

On Friday 1st May some of the Brownies attended our very first camp under canvas alongside our cubs and the Brownies from URC. By attending they became the first Brownies in Hyndburn to experience this. They attended the camp at Waddow Guide Camp on the North Riding Campsite from Friday to Sunday. The weather was good, a few showers but nothing was going to dampen the spirits of any of the campers!

The theme for the weekend was pirates although we carried out very few of the planned activities due to the excitement of carrying out a weekend under canvas. We hired a variety of the on-site activities, including bouldering, the trampolines, scooters, space hoppers the putting green and grass sledging. The Brownies spent 2 hours exploring the different activities and loved every minute they spent on them. We also went to Edisford Bridge swimming pool where we spent an hour washing! This ensured that every child went home clean and with a wet towel!

The weekend coincided with the annual Scarecrow Festival in Waddington, which we took time to visit. The Brownies entered their boats into the competition. When we arrived they had to put the boats out in heats, 7 extras. One of our cubs won 3rd prize for his boats design. We had a number of Brownies in the final, although we did not win. We had a huge amount of fun cheering our boats (made from junk) down the stream against the very professional entries made by the village children.

The weekend passes in a flash with lots of smiley faces and tired leaders. The food was good and the excitement even better. Hopefully this will lead to more nights under canvas in our special sound proof tents!

St George's Day Parade

stpaulsbrownies@googlemail.com — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 14:20:00 GMT

On Sunday 26th April we took part in the annual St George's Day parade. This year the parade took a different route and finished in a different place but with more than 350 people in attendance we packed out Accrington Town Hall.

The parade began on Barnfield Street in Accrington and wound its way to Avenue Parade and through to the Town Hall. The Mayor was there to receive the salute as we entered the Town Hall. The staircase was also lined with the flags of the units that had passed before.

Once inside the Town Hall everyone was seated and the service began with a rousing rendition of Shine Jesus Shine as the unit flags were paraded to the stage. The service progressed to the renewal of promises by all of the members of all of the organisations. There was also a short sketch by the hosting unit. The service ended with the flags parading from the room and the assembled group being dismissed.

The parade was excellent and showed how well supported Scouting and Guiding are within the Accrington area. Although there were less Brownies and Guides present than our Scouting counterparts we were in good voice for our promise renewals. It must also be said that the behaviour of those who attended was impeccable.

Easter Pack Holiday

stpaulsbrownies@googlemail.com — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 10:46:00 GMT

From Good Friday until Easter Monday 3rd Accrington St Paul's Brownies took over Ashworth Valley Scout Camp. We turned the site into the magical world of Harry Potter. We took 12 Brownies and had a thoroughly amazing time. The weather was amazing with lots of sun and laughter.

Upon arriving the Brownies were sorted into houses by the sorting hat. There were 3 Brownies and (as it was a joint camp) 3 cubs in each house. The activities completed included making our Quidditch Sticks to use in our game of Quidditch. We also made Harry Potter style glasses and had special magic powder on our ice-cream! We also carried out some none magical activities. We spent two hours (in two groups of two houses) on the pedal go-karts, we went on hikes and had a magical campfire with blue flames which the Brownies helped to build! The Brownies were also allowed to use the playground outside the Pack Holiday House where we were staying, which was a very enjoyable and testing obstacle course.

Throughout the weekend the Brownies were able to collect house points. These were awarded all of the children for anything - good behaviour, good participation, having a wash! (we had magic water as well. The children could wash without getting their flannels and towels wet!!!!) They could also lose points for being cheeky, being noisy until 4am, shouting and being overly daft. By the end of the weekend all of the houses had filled their points tubes and every child was given an Easter Egg as a prize.

I am looking for the Brownies to write up their thoughts on the Pack Holiday. Then hopefully I can update this (or produce something different) to incorporate anything I have missed!

All in all the weekend was amazing. The leaders became characters from the Harry Potter books, with the exception of Snowy Owl who was unable to attend as she had a baby at the weekend! I have attached some pictures to the gallery but we also took lots more. Please be patient we are hoping to produce something to show these off!

Coppice Walk

stpaulsbrownies@googlemail.com — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 17:32:00 GMT

On Palm Sunday (4th April) our Brownies attended the annual walk from Broadway to the Coppice to bless the cross and place it at the top of the hill. Firstly thank you to those who took part and attended the walk. We set off from Broadway at 2.30pm and had a short service before setting off on our journey. Along the way we stopped at various points to carry out further parts of the service. When we reached the bottom of the hill we left the rest of the procession to carry on up to the top of the Coppice and spent some time playing in the park.

The event was attended by a small number of Brownies from 3rd Accrington St Pauls, as well as the cubs, scouts and beavers. Even though we never made it to the top we put in a lot of effort and enjoyed the event. The sun was shining which made it more enjoyable.

Following the walk we went back to the Institute where we had a drink and a biscuit to replenish ourselves before being collected at 4.15pm.