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4th Thame Brownies to open in 2008
We are currently working on opening a new Brownie pack in April 2008. This is fantastic news and will allow another 24 girls to have a great time.
Details are currently being finalised and more information will be out soon.
History of Guiding
In the early years of the 20th century, Robert Baden-Powell, a famous army general, developed a scheme for training boys. He tried out his ideas at a camp on Brownsea Island in 1907 and the following year published them in a book, Scouting for Boys. .
At the Scouts' first rally, at the Crystal Palace in 1909, a small group of girls turned up. They represented hundreds of other girls and insisted that they wanted to be Scouts too.
In 1910 he formed the Girl Guides, asking his sister Agnes to look after the new organisation. A few years later his wife Olave became involved and, in 1918, was appointed Chief Guide.
Such was the enthusiasm for guiding that it soon spread worldwide and since those early days countless millions have made the Guide Promise. Today there are ten million girls and women involved in guiding worldwide.
A New HQ for Girlguiding in Thame
Building work has now started and when finished, will provide a larger, more flexible space for girlguiding in Thame.
There will be two separate meeting areas, a central kitchen; new toilet facilities, sufficient parking and disabled access to ensure it’s a building for everyone. It will be in keeping with the existing environment and has eco-friendly design features such as solar panels and stack effect ventilation.
Benefits
The underlying aim of the new Headquarters is to create a functional, accessible and sustainable space for Guiding that can be used by other community groups, in addition to the nursery that meets in the current facility. Having two separate rooms will allow for the continued expansion of Guiding in Thame by allowing groups to meet simultaneously. With a central location bordering the nature reserve and recreation ground, the new Girlguiding HQ will be a multi-function building.
Funding
Planning permission has now been given with agreement of Thame Town Council & SODC. The building started on the 3rd November and is planned to take 5 months. The new HQ is costing £375,000. This amount is made up of £354,617 building cost and the balance is architect, planning fees etc.
We have now raised £28,424 through various fundraising initiatives and have many more planned for the rest of 2008. We have secured funds from local charitable trusts, Girlguiding Anglia Region, Thame Town Council and South Oxfordshire Council which total £293,000. This together with the fundraising gives a total to date of £321,424. The balance is being sought from other grant making bodies, local organisations and fundraising.
We have also looked at ways we could save money e.g. get a team of parents to help paint the building, fit the kitchen etc so watch this space!
It is still important for us to continue to raise our own funds; it would be great if you would participate in our fundraising activities!