GIRL GUIDES

Hawera Star, Volume LII, 19 November 1932, Page 13

GIRL GUIDES

NOTES BY “GUIDER” BRITISH GUIDES VISIT NORWAY. Last autumn ten Oldham Guiders and a Guide? from North-West Lancashire went to Norway, on the invitation of the Commissioner for Stavenger, to lend a hand with, the work of the movement in that neighbourhood, . where it is still at an early stage of development. Though the expedition was undertaken with the knowledge' and approval of the Chief Grade of Norway ian/d of, Imperial Headquarters, it was unofficial, in character. It all came about through the. enterprise of. an Oldham lady living in Stavenger, who was fifixious to bring encourageniept.. and help to the Guiders of that town.

The members of the- party were carefully chosen. Each one, was not only a capable Guider, but the possessor of some special knowledge- or experience which would be of value- to our hotes-ses. There were Commissiners, Guiders skilled, in Brownie; Guide and Rianger work, experts in camping, ambulance, music, handicrafts, country dancing and so on. The-y arranged beforehand what material to take, and who should be responsible for different brandies, of . work.

The main party of seven Guiders embarked from Tyneside for Stavenger ton August 19. On. arrival, they were met by an imposing array of Guides drawn up. on the quay to welcome them, and whirled away in ones and twos to the homes of their kind hostesses, who entertained them j most generously throughout their stay. In the days that followed, almost every ni'oment was taken op with meetings, picnics, excursions on the fjords, visits to the principal institutions and inhabitants of the town, and delightful intercourse- with Guide folk of all sorts and sizes. The English Guiders were charmed with the clean, gay appearance of the town, with its brightly-coloured roofs and magnificent views of lake and mountain at the end of every cobbled street. Luckily, the weather was- radiant during the whole of their viist, and they were able to see Stavenger and its iovely surroundings at its best. The Norwegian Guiders and their friends arranged for their guests all manner of interesting excursians. Sometimes they went by steamer uo the fjords, landing to drive through mountainous scenery famous for its beautv. Other days were spent on the shores of the fjords, bathing and picknicliirig. Much could he written of the wonders of Stavenger, with its 12th century Cathedral, .built by an English-! man with Winchester as. its model;] its great fish market; its canning fac-j tones. But for the readers of this! article a few details about the guiding will perhaps he of greater interest. The outstanding characteristic was. friendliness —the amazing warmth of. feeling and understanding shown by everyone. Our . people were greatlv impressed, too, by the fine physique of the Norwegian girls and tlieir love of hiking. ' On the other 1 hand, the Norwegians were thrilled with our games—games of all kinds seemed alm«st unknown to them. Patrol Corners, Ceremonials and dancing were also very popular—espeeiallv Sir Roger de Coverlev. Our music, too. was well received —especially “Little P'eier Rabbit” and “Tnrw Wincv Spider” ; to the horror and disrnav of our highbrows. who had taken out some beautiful English folk 7 music, it* was discovered at one stage that sonic of the Stavenger Guides thought “Inov Wincv’> was the natiopal anthem of the British Guides. Svoider being the Norwegian word for Guide. This rerequired a lot of explaining away!

Ambulance seemed to be new to them, and was eargerly learnt. Our Guiders greatly envied the Norwegians their Guide Hut, beautifully situated on the hills, with a well-equipped kitchen and other accommodation for week-enders.

It is amusing, to record the gifts that were exchanged. Tea, Hovis flour, gramophone records, leather and tools for handicraft, teapots, pretty china, Guide literature and whistlecompasses seemed .to be most highly appreciated by the Stavenger Guiders; while we received from them a silk Norwegian flag, needlework, silverware sardines, ooiourprints and other delightful local products. From our point of view", at least, the visit was a huge success. As a result, two Norwegian Guiders have already come to England' au pair, many charming friendships have been formed, and some .of our Press, articles on Guiding have been translated for publication in the Norwegian Guide paper. Our first experience of international Guiding has done much to broaden our outlook. We cannot, too warmly thank headquarters for all their help and our Stavanger sisters for their wonderful hospitality. - LONDON POST GUIDE CHURCH PARADE.

The annual Church Parade for London Post Guides was held on Sunday ,Mav 1-, at St. Anselm’s, Davies Street. Guides and Rangers, were fetched in cars from their homes in every part of London, and one came = from the country in her spinal chair. The only tiia.in ,hrought her to "Vhetoria two hours too soon, so she was entertained in St. Jame’.s Park by the sister ot a Ranger and wheeled to the Church at the" right moment by two Rovers. Altogether, about 100 people assembled for the service, which was conducted by ‘ the Rev. Rupert Strong, C.F., Vicar of St John’s, Drury Lane. The Ist N.-W. London Post Guides and the Ist Westminster Post Rangers brought their colours. Two of the hymns which are to he sung on May 28 at St. Paul’s, and the-new Guide Prayer were included m the service. The Post Guides were then given a lovely tea by the 2nd Regiment s Park company in the headquarters of. Queen Victoria’s Riflejs jfetndly _ lent bv Lt.-Col. Hamilton), and Mrs. Mark Kerr told them about Guide Wfek and the Ring of Service. As they climbed hack, into the cars which weie . to take them home, one Ranger was heard to remark, “I should like to do this every day.”-