GIRL GUIDES

Hawera Star, Volume LIII, 26 August 1933, Page 2

GIRL GUIDES

NOTES BY “GUIDER” CAMPING IN THE! FRENCH ALPS. After a. hair-raising journey in an autocar, we found ourselves at the head of the most wonderful valley we have ever imagined. Snowcapped mountains surrounded us, down them rushed many lovely streams —alas! far too cold and swift for bathing. We were enthusiastically welcomed by the French Hangers, and were given a cup of English tea, a great luxury in those parts. We slept in chalets until the weather permitted the pitching of the tents. These were nidge tents of a glorious orange, they were a wonderful contrast in the sunlight with the green of the grass, the dazzling whiteness of the snow, and the blue of the cloudless sky. At 7 a.m. we were awakened by a horn sounding reveille. It was not necessary for anybody except the cook and mess Patrols to rise until the warning for breakfast was blown. Before breakfast, as before each meal, we sang grace, immediately after which a Ranger from Nice cried out in a high voice, “Bon appetitt” They had many labour saving devices. Directly after a meal each Hanger took her own plate, mug, knife, fork and spoon to be washed by the mess Patrol, collecting and drying if. herself, and putting it into her own bag. At the end of breakfast everyone was given a. handful of vegetables to prepare for the cooks. This lightened the work, which one or two people would otherwise have had to do. At 9.15 a.m. we had “Meditation” for which wo split up according to our faiths. We had colours at Id. 15 a.m., but the colour party consisted of two instead of three Rangers. The French salute the flag by stretching their arm towards it as they stand in their horseshoe.

We were very fortunate in being in Savoie on August 15th, the principal festival of the Virgin. After High Mass in the village church in Peisey, which is very magnificent, there was a procession round the village. All the peasants wore lovely silk embroidered shawls and head-dresses which wore chiefly made of gold brocade. Each Hanger had a totem, that is a special name which they earn in Camp, and even w© were given one after we had been in camp a. day or two. Our uniform was quite different from that of the French Rangers. In Camp they wore khaki sleeveless overalls with open necks. Their ties were not triangular and were always bordered with coloured braid, contrasting with the rest of the tie. Their Ranger Tenderfoot was a rectangular white enamelled brooch with their chosen emblem, a red flame on it. They all wore flannel cloaks, but their full uniform was a white blouse with a khaki costume. •

We spent a very happy three weeks with the French Rangers, and are very glad to have had the opportunity of seeing French Guiding.

A RANGER. GAME.

Every Ranger takes it in turn to say the name of a place which she knows something about. All the other Rangers contribute some information about the place. Points may be kept. Players speak in turn, anyone missing, dropping out until her turn comes round again. This game' may be applied to trees, architectural features, famous women, etc.

PERSONAL.

Miss Irene Skinner has returned to New Plymouth from Marlborough and lias assumed her duties as provincial secretary.

Miss P. Lennon (Hawera) is at present at Otimai attending a- ten-days training conducted by Miss Mona Burgin, Bine Cord Diploma Guider. Mrs Prescott lias returned to Paten after a holiday in the Wlpingarei district.

A meeting of ladies of the OeoOtakelio district lias been arranged for early in September to consider the formation of a Guide Company and Brownie Pack. A preliminary meeting was held last Tuesday at Oeo, when the Divisional Commissioner, Mrs Houston, and District Commissioner, Mrs Watt, attended by invitation. STRATFORD GUIDE COMPANY. The company is to be. congratulated on the excellent performance, ot “Archibald” at the Central Taranaki dramatic festival held last week. The play went witlj a snap which was very pleasing, and the players were awarded a C certificate by the adjudicator, Miss Elizabeth Blake. The producer was Airs TJniacke at one time captain of the Stratford Guide Company.