Walking Adviser

My journey with Guiding was as a Brownie and Girl Guide in Borehamwood/Elstree Herts 50 years ago. I particularly enjoyed the camps and a holiday to Scotland (particularly memorable were the walks in the surrounding countryside!) that we were lucky enough to take part in due to the experience, dedication and qualifications of our ‘Captain’.  When I was awarded my Queen’s Girl Guide I will never forget how Captain looked me straight in the eye and said she hoped I would continue to serve in guiding in the future even if I was stopping for a while due to my studies….

Whilst our daughters were Rainbows and Brownies in Kuwait, I became a Friend of Guiding and when moving to Bucks I was able to secure them places by volunteering as an adult helper with Wendover Rainbows and 1^st Monks Risborough Brownies. When the 2 Brownie leaders moved on the 2 of us adult helpers agreed to train up to be leaders. I was ‘Red Kite’ for the Brownies for around 3 years and for 1^st Monks Risborough Guides for around 3 years. I got my residential license and enjoyed accompanying our district girls on county and Anglia camps. Another highlight was an adult county holiday to Our Cabana (hablo espanol!).

I trained up over several years for the level 2 walking qualification by taking part in many Anglia walking training and social weekends all over UK but mostly in the Peak District. I have assisted in Herts county ITTH. It has been fun to take part in the county Competition Hikes with an adult team but also assist on check points over the years. For a few years I assisted with Map and Compass training days from Ellesborough and the Bucks Duke of Edinburgh bronze expedition training and assessment weekends from Prestwood.

Since becoming the county walking adviser I have enjoyed getting to know other Bucks adult leaders by organising informal social/training walks around the county – usually around 10km in length for 2 – 3hours. Let me know if you are interested in joining our whatsapp group to help plan future walks!