girl guides carnival

Isle of Wight Girlguides create their own ‘Carnival’

Suzanne shares this latest news on behalf of Isle of Wight Girlguiding. Ed


Members of 1st Ventnor Guides were amongst hundreds of Girlguiding IW members who gathered at Sandown recently for their own version of ‘Carnival’.

Held at Sandown Rugby Club the Island’s Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers together with leaders enjoyed the afternoon’s activities based on a Carnival theme.

Led by samba band
There were four main sessions to get the girls in a Carnival mood ready for a procession which was led by the members of Raw Samba.

During the afternoon all the girls practiced dancing with Starlight Boutique and Ann Abe from Dance Vibes. In a session led by Dan they played their home-made instruments which they had made in unit meetings, dressed in ribbon skirts and carnival masks which they had made and decorated bracelets with colourful ribbons.

All was now set for the grand procession and what a colourful sight it made with the bright costumes together with unit flags and banners.

Camp-fire singalong and awards
Organised by a Girlguiding IW events team and with help from other leaders, the event ended with a camp-fire singalong. Members of the events team attending were Carla Oliver, Katie Charlton, Marion O’Nions, Harriet Townsend, Angela Smith and Collette Atkins.

Island Commissioners Shirley Saunders and Lesley Clifford were also on hand to present several of the Island’s leaders with awards and there was a surprise for Lesley Clifford when Girlguiding County President Patricia Partridge presented her with her 30 years Award.

Praise from the girls
Brownie Izzy Butcher (9) from Parkhurst Brownies said,

“I enjoyed the event a lot especially the Arts and Crafts- making a mask and bracelet. I also enjoyed meeting other Brownies from other units that I had not met before.”

Eleanor Crosswell (10) from Totland Brownies said,

“I enjoy being a Brownie and have enjoyed being with all the other Brownies from around the Island. I especially liked doing the crafts and the dancing but I liked all the activities.”

1st Ventnor Guide, Bethany Pardow (13) added,

“This is amazing fun. I like to dance and with all the dancing here it has been great.”

Image: © Suzanne Whitewood