Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and the Senior Section members from across Hampshire attended an exclusive takeover at more than 30 of Hampshire County Council’s libraries at the weekend as part of a new badge.
The County Council’s Executive Member for Recreation and Heritage, Councillor Seán Woodward, attended Fareham Library on Saturday 9 March to formally welcome some of the 3,000 Girlguiding members as they prepared for book themed activities and a sleepover as part of their ‘A Night at the Library’ badge.
Councillor Woodward said:
We were thrilled to host this one-of-a-kind sleepover at our libraries so that the girls could really get immersed in fun and imaginative book inspired activities in such a unique setting. The sleepovers across our branches really brought out a sense of community which we nurture in our libraries, for customers of all ages.
Congratulations to all of the girls who took part to earn their badge, and well done to library and Girlguiding staff who made the night such a success.
Girls from all sections took part in creative activities based on their favourite children’s fictional characters such as J.K Rowling’s skilful wizard, Harry Potter. The Brownies, Guides and Rangers then had the amazing opportunity to sleep amongst the books.
The girls from across Hampshire loved the fact that they could experience the unique event with fellow members of Girlguiding from across their area.
The idea for the sleepover came from Tadley Library Team Assistant and volunteer Leader with Girlguiding Hampshire North, Michelle Trevena.
Michelle explained:
Girlguiding South West England recently launched a new badge and resource based on activities linked to libraries, and one element of this was to hold a sleepover in a library. I wanted to do this at my local branch but then realised we could try and involve as many libraries as possible.
Holly, from 1st Tadley Brownies, said:
There were so many great activities to do that I couldn’t choose my favourite. We made marmalade sandwiches like Paddington bear and I would definitely like do that again back at my Brownie unit. We also had a storyteller who came to visit us and we did an activity where we could be pirates and dragons. I loved dressing up as a dragon!
Lena Ponting, Leader and Division Commissioner for Grange in Basingstoke, said:
It’s always great to give our girls opportunities to do new and exciting things that they wouldn’t usually do. It was marvellous to see Girlguiding members eager to make new friends an explore the magic of the library in a relaxed atmosphere. We used some of the time to explore non- fiction books and we shared some interesting facts. What an amazing experience for some amazing girls.
Girlguiding has recently transformed their programme for girls, which aims to deliver fun and varied activities as well as new and updated interest badges for all sections to try. Rainbows have been given the chance to complete interest badges for the very first time, introducing the ‘storyteller’ and ‘book lover’ badges.
This special ‘night at the library’ event hopes to inspire more girls to get involved and to achieve their badges as part of this exciting new programme.
Photo: Hampshire County Council’s Executive Member for Recreation and Heritage, Councillor Seán Woodward with over 90 Rainbows, Brownies and Girl Guides at Fareham Library.