Oscar Night In Barcombe

On Friday 18th November over 70 leaders and Senior Section members came together to celebrate the achievements seen in the county this year. The theme of the evening was oscar night and as guests of the County Commissioners arrived they were invited to walk along the red carpet into the main hall of Barcombe Village Hall. Guests were then invited to share a drink and find a seat at a star and balloon decorated table for the proceedings to start.

Over the course of the evening, the County Commissioners recognised the achievements of Guides through a roll call of BP Challenge achievers, Senior Section members and Adult Leaders. Each award was preceded by an oscar style presentation film, before achievers were invited to join Alison and Sally at the front. During the evening, presentations of DofE Bronze Award, and Queen’s Guide Award were presented. Three members of Downs Senior Section were presented with badges and certificates for their Bronze DofE by their leader, and former County Senior Section Adviser Coral Carpernter. Susannah Hodge was also presented with her Queen’s Guide, the highest award in Guiding that can be obtained. Further Senior Section achievements that were recognised were girls and young women who had achieved their Young Leader Qualification, Senior Section Camp Permit, and Chief Guide Challenge. The evening then moved on to recognise all those Adult Leaders that had achieved their Adult Leadership Qualification and Residential Licences. Congratulations were also passed on to leaders who had taken part in the Dragon Boat racing and Tri County Stoolball Tournament.

Division Commissioners were then invited to come forward and present certificates of thanks and recognition on behalf of their Divisions. Before Alison and Sally presented certificates of thanks and recognition on behalf of county, and then Long Service Awards of 20, 30 and 40 years service were also presented, with Pauline Burchett receiving a standing ovation, a real oscar type moment. Alison and Sally also presented two Girlguiding UK Good Service Awards on the evening one to Lyn Andrews, former Brighton East Division Commissioner, and one to Coral Carpenter, former County Senior Section Adviser, well done to both of them and a huge thank you to all they did in their roles for county.

We were also joined by Pip McKerrow, Girlguiding LaSER Chief Commissioner and High Sheriff for East Sussex Mrs Kathy Gore DL, who gave a very interesting speech on volunteering and how much it means to young people.

Left: DofE Bronze Award Achievers with Coral Carpenter

Centre: Pauline Burchett (Assistant County Commissioner) receiving her 40 year Long Service Award

Right: Three of our Queen's Guide Achiever, Susannah Hodge, Hayley Cruikshank, & Sarah Clare