Re-using old buildings

In this throw-away society we have decided to not throw away two buildings. When the new toilet/shower blocks go up we will need to remove/dismantle the two old wooden blocks on Ramsdown/Richards Hill at Herons Wey. The blocks have been well cared for and, although,20 years old, have still got life in them. So we are going to re-erect them behind the new blocks moving them apart to create a space in between which will be roofed and walled. This will all be on a concrete base. The idea is that it will provide storage including a place to put fridges for camper use. The trouble is that we don't have the money. Although we have been money raising for years the toilet block and borehole will use all of that. So we need some urgently. If you are reading this and would be willing to write to your local councillor to see if they have any funds left or if your employer makes donations or if you know any other funds we can apply to then we need to know. Please feel free to ask on our behalf or let us know and we will write.
Thank you.

WANTED - County equipment

My mission this month (or longer) is to track down County equipment. I know that there is equipment in people's garages, lofts and spare bedrooms but we don't know what it is or where. So if you have any equipment or know someone who has then we have some questions for you/them:

1. what is it.
2. Does it still work?
3. Do you want to keep it or do you want us to find it a new home?

If you have anything then can you contact Anne in the office office@girlguidingsurreywest.org.uk

Thanks

PS - It was good to see such a strong Guide representation at Lady Baden-Powell's funeral on Monday. Patience was very full of energy, impossible to refuse, extremely well-connected and gave a great deal of time to both Guiding and Scouting. She will be missed.

New Year's Day walk

It started as an offer to Guiding volunteers but then my (non-Guiding) sister mentioned walking on New Year's Day - and then thought her brother in law and his family might be interested and then my daughter and her boyfriend came along so the Guiding friends (Madeleine and Jane) were rather outnumbered.
15 of us enjoyed a walk from Waverley Abbey along the Greensand Way north-west past Moor Park then North East along the North Downs Way through the nature reserve to Sands where we stopped at the Barley Mow for an all day breakfast. We ended with a walk up Crooksbury Hill to benefit from a fabulous view. It wasn't a long walk (4 miles probably) but very interesting. I hadn't realised that the gun emplacements etc were there because Moor Park was important in the war. All in all a good walk and it didn't rain.
Next we are thinking of walking round Frensham between the two lakes. Same pattern probably - stop at a dog-friendly pub some of the way round. Why not join us?

Happy New Year - fancy a walk?

Happy New Year to everyone in Surrey West. After an exciting and busy year in 2010 with so many things going on, now it really is back to real Guiding. This year we are going to focus on our volunteers to thank you for everything you do, and to help build a strong community of supporters. Without you all there is no Guiding - you are the most important people in Guiding and we shouldn't forget that.
We have 1600 volunteers in Surrey West and there is no way I can know you all. Neither can I send an email to everyone. So, I know it is late notice but it was in the last Weekly News although not everyone received it, do you want to join me for a walk on New Year's Day? If you would, then meet me at Waverley Abbey car park (or if it is closed, Crooksbury Hill) at 1130. We will work about 3 miles to Sands where we will stop at the Pub for lunch - they are doing an all day breakfast. The pub is dog friendly so bring yours along if you want. Then we will walk over Crooksbury Hill back - another 1.5 miles.
If you are going to be too busy partying to get up then have a fantastic time - don't drink too much and, if you are driving, please keep safe.

Happy Christmas

List of things still to do:

• Make stuffing
• Make stock for gravy
• Make mince pies
• Make red cabbage
• Cook ham for Boxing Day
• Clean cutlery
• Check we have enough napkins
• Make mother-in-law's bed
• Make bread
• Make non-alcoholic punches
• Read all the paper work just received from CHQ (Yes really)
• Deliver presents
• Go to a party in our close
• Move table into dining room to add to the one in there
• Move garden table into kitchen.

I may have forgotten something.

I hope you, like me, will find time to relax between Christmas and New Year. What ever you do, I hope it is a happy time for all of you.

Snow

Last Thursday 14 of us went to see the Railway Children at Waterloo Station. It was very well done and we had a fabulous time. We were lucky that the very bad weather hadn't set in properly so the trains were still running - had it been on Friday or at the weekend we may not have been so lucky.
That same evening my daughter returned from University with a friend due to fly home to KL at the weekend. And that is when Heathrow was, more or less, closed. As she hadn't seen her family for some time she was desperate to go home although we told her she was welcome to stay as long as necessary. We tend to have a revolving door policy in our house and are not often sure how many mouths we are feeding. However, she preferred to go to Terminal 4 and wait there on the off-chance of a flight. We loaded her up with a pack lunch and a sleeping bag. 24 hours later it seems she has got a flight although until she has actually taken off we shouldn't make assumptions. I am sure she will be home before Christmas though.
If I don't blog before Christmas, can I hope you have a happy and peaceful time.

Team Twenty Ten publicity

Today I received a copy of Girlguiding Today. I don't know what the circulation list is but I got it as a member of the QG database. There was a whole page on Team Twenty Ten and swimming the Channel. I don't know if you can get hold of a copy yourselves so I hope it will also be in Guiding magazine which, I understand, is due out shortly.
Well done - everyone and, yes, Lindsay, you are mad to want to do it again but solo.