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Queen’s Guide Award

 It’s a hat-trick for one Guiding family as twenty-six year old Louise Hope from Sidcup makes it as the third in her family to receive the prestigious Queen’s Guide Award, the highest award a Guide can achieve.

 

Louise has spent the last eighteen months working towards each clause of the award, which involved a variety of tasks. She took on the role of Young Leader Guider and Marketing and Information Adviser for Hurst Division, enabling her to work closely with Young Leaders in her area, suggesting ways for them to get more out of their Guiding experience, and publicising Girlguiding UK far and wide. Louise has ensured that the movement has recruited new members through a variety of events, has gained a license to enable her to take members away overnight and has helped the charity Thames21 in their work clearing local waterways, alongside a year-long project studying water pollution. In addition, she was deputy First Aider at a large scale Girlguiding UK camp in May, and led an exploration to Brighton where she and her team studied the film locations in the town, producing a series of walks and quizzes for adults and children, that have been sent to local Guide units in the Brighton and Hove area.

 

As a full-time Primary School Teacher, Louise worked tirelessly to complete her Award alongside her profession. She now joins her mother, Alison Hope, and Aunt Carol Seeley as Queen’s Guides. Alison, who Louise assists at their Rainbow Unit in Blackfen said: “We could not be prouder of Louise’s achievements. She has had to juggle many commitments whilst working towards the Queen’s Guide Award, and has finally accomplished her goal. To know that she joins my sister and I as Queen’s Guides is an honour.” Both Alison and Carol, who’s Guiding life originated in St. Mary Cray, achieved their Queen’s Guide Awards in the early 1970s. Alison is the leader of Blackfen Rainbow Unit as well as Lamorbey District Commissioner, and Carol took her Guiding with her when she and her husband moved to Bristol, and continues Guiding in the area.

 

Louise was presented with the coveted award by County Commissioner, Caroline Thomas, in the presence of her family, friends, Guiding colleagues and her Rainbows who have all helped her along the way. The presentation was made a ceremony held on Saturday 22^nd October at Our Lady of the Rosary Church Hall, Blackfen, Sidcup, where Louise started her Guiding career when she joined Rainbows at the age of 5, and where she now Guides herself as the Assistant Rainbow Leader. Afterwards, Louise said:  “There are so many people who have helped me complete my Queen’s Guide Award, from the youngest Rainbow to the oldest Trefoil member, and I feel proud to be part of such an amazing group that recognises achievements of all its members.”

 

In addition to her local Queen’s Guide presentation, Louise will be invited to attend a national presentation in London to be formally recognised as a Queen’s Guide, at a Royal palace, in the near future.

 

Words Derek Hope—Kent Photonews—Sidcup

 

 

 

 

Blackfen Rainbows take to the river
 
Thames21, the charity that helps mobilise volunteers to clear up the capital's rivers also engages with youngsters in the capital to make them aware of their local river, and how they can improve the environment for the community.
 
Louise Hope invited Joanne Bradley the River Shuttle River Keeper to her unit to teach the Rainbows all about the River Shuttle, river life, and talk about the work of the charity. Louise said "We took the Rainbows river dipping. They were able to catch many different creatures in the river, and identify them from illustrations and information that Joanne provided. The girls had a good time, and learned much about our local River Shuttle which runs though an area just a few hundred yards from where we meet".
 
Thames21 is an environmental charity working with communities to bring London's waterways to life. They mobilise thousands of volunteers every year to clean up waterside grot-spots, remove graffiti and create new habitats for wildlife. Thames21 aims to transform neglected and littered waterways into areas that everyone can use and enjoy by encouraging all Londoners to treat their waterways with care and respect.
 

Joanne (25) who focuses her project work on the part of the River Shuttle which runs from Avery Hill Park in Eltham to Hall Place in Bexley

said:" In local schools I have been running programs which stretch over 3- 5 weeks. The programs are designed to relate to what students are learning in the classroom and give them the chance to go outside and get their hands dirty! Activities involve litter picking, river dipping, thinking about the impact of litter in rivers, exploring habitats, understanding the course of the River Shuttle and inspiring a feeling of responsibility for their actions which may affect it. I have also started working with Brownie, Rainbow and Cub units, running similar programs. The teachers at these schools and groups have been very enthusiastic and supportive of the activities I am able to offer. I would be really pleased to hear from any groups who would like to help out".
 
 

Interested in volunteering to help clean up the River Shuttle?

Call  07585302623  or log onto www.thames21.org.uk
 
Story and pictures by Derek Hope, Kent Photonews-Sidcup

Blackfen Rainbows river dipping in the River Shuttle

Joanne Bradley with some of the Blackfen Rainbows.

Pictures by Kent Photonews-Sidcup

Louise receives her award from Caroline Thomas, Greater London Kent County Commissioner

Louise Hope with her Aunt, Carol Seeley (Right) and mum, Alison Hope.

Queen’s Guide Louise Hope, pictured with some of her Rainbows from Blackfen Rainbow Unit and ex Rainbows who have now moved on to Brownies.