The Trefoil December 2022

The official journal of the Trefoil Guild

Published each March, June, September and December

National President Della Salway

National Chair Eileen Martin

Editorial Board Judy Ellis (Editor), Jane Smart (Deputy Editor), Tasha Best, Eileen Martin, Sheran Oke, Sheila Leete, Frances Parrett, Margaret Froome, Jean Kelly, Fatima Carvalho

The Trefoil is issued subject to the following conditions, namely that it shall not be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise disposed of in mutilated cover or in any unauthorised cover by way of trade or affixed to or as part of any publication or advertising, literary or pictorial matter whatsoever.

The Trefoil Guild takes no responsibility for statements made in any advertisements or from any matter arising whatsoever. Readers should be aware that The Trefoil is not in a position to investigate goods or services advertised in inserts included in the magazine, and the inclusion of the inserts is not to be taken as an indication that the goods or services concerned have been investigated or approved.

Responsibility for the failure of any advertiser to fulfil his or her obligations to customers gained from an advertisement or insert in The Trefoil cannot, and will not, be accepted by the Trefoil Guild or The Trefoil

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Senior Managing Editor Fergus McShane

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Picture Editor Tracey Pocock

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Hello everyone

of our 80th Anniversary Challenge, From small acorns to giant oaks, are overleaf. There’s a badge to be gained too!

The September meeting of the Board of Trustees began with some time to reflect on and celebrate the life of service of Her Majesty The Queen. I am sure that your own guild meetings marked her passing in your own special way. We welcome our new Head of State, His Majesty King Charles III, and now commit to serve the King, as a symbol for our country, when we make or renew our Promise.

I am really looking forward to meeting members when we get together for our Annual Meeting in Glasgow on 24 June next year. It’s a great chance to meet old friends and make new ones, and really FEEL our wider Trefoil membership. Turn to page 19 for further information.

Next year sees us celebrate the 80th Anniversary of Trefoil Guild, and details

I’ve really enjoyed reading on social media about how guilds are widening their appeal to bring in new members, something which was hard to do during the pandemic. Has your guild discussed this and made a plan yet? With the popularity of non-guiding, and expensive, ‘badges for adults’, there’s a real market out there for active Guiding for Adults. Whether setting up a group with a special interest, a different meeting time for those who work, or more physically active activities for members who enjoy this, a flexible, perhaps less formal approach may be worth trying. Why not set up an attractive evening or weekend activity or visit that could be part of our 80th Anniversary or the STARS Challenge and invite the local Girlguiding volunteers along just to have fun? Right away they’ll complete a clause… and they may not even know our badges exist!

I hope that you all enjoy the December celebrations of Christmas, Hanukkah or Yule, without the restrictions we’ve had for the past two years. I look forward to seeing what you’ve been up to in your Facebook posts. I wish you all a happy and healthy New Year.

Della Salway National President

From small acorns to giant oaks

It’s time to celebrate our 80th anniversary by taking part in a challenge, says Sheila Leete, National Programme and Development Adviser

The Trefoil Guild 80th Anniversary Challenge has been created for everyone to enjoy, from Rainbows to members of Trefoil. Why not share the challenge with local Girlguiding units to use as part of their programme during 2023?

The challenge pack will be available digitally on the Trefoil website early in 2023. For a printed copy, you will be able to download it in either A4 or A3 format. There will also be a personal record sheet to download from the website.

The 80th Anniversary Challenge will comprise a range of activities under one of two headings: ‘80s challenges’ and ‘community activities/challenges’. By completing four activities from each of these headings, you will be able to achieve your 80th Anniversary badge,

available from girlguidingshop.co.uk or your local trading outlet in 2023. All money raised will be used to support Girlguiding and Trefoil in going forward. The recognised symbol for an 80th anniversary is ‘oak’, which is so relevant for Trefoil Guild. With ‘branches’ stretching far and wide, and with the ‘acorns’ creating new growth, this is the aspiration that underpins Trefoil. I would like to thank Jenny Hunt, Tracey Johnson and Alison Plummer for their work in preparing this challenge for us. As well as taking part in this national challenge, we look forward to hearing about the 80th Anniversary celebrations happening within your country or region during 2023.

Did you know that:

• English oak was in the wreath on the coffin of our late Queen, Elizabeth II, as it represents strength of love.

• It took 2,000 oak trees to build Admiral Nelson’s favourite ship, HMS Agamemnon.

• An oak tree produces about 10 million acorns during its lifetime.

• Only one in ten thousand acorns grows up to be an oak tree.

• Oak trees live for at least 200 years, some over a thousand years.

Works of art

Muriel Rayner, county chair for Shropshire Trefoil Guild, writes: ‘When my daughter’s crocheted postbox toppers to celebrate The Queen’s Jubilee earlier this year appeared on her village’s Facebook page, some of the comments included, “Gives a great deal of pleasure” and “What a delight!”.

‘Once the Jubilee had passed, and as she could not display them again, she gave the toppers to me, thinking I could use them again for something. Little did we know that would be sooner than we thought when The Queen died. My community was able to share my daughter’s crochet work, and equally nice comments went on to our Facebook pages.

‘In the year my daughter has lived in her village, she has put up toppers for Remembrance, Halloween, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Ukraine and Easter. Of course, now I seem to be hooked (literally) and am currently working on a Remembrance topper. I was discussing this with some guild members, and someone came up with the suggestion that we could display them round our county to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of Trefoil.

‘I am sure there are many artistic members around the country who might be able to give this a go. It would certainly get the message across to all, as postboxes

are often in a dominant place. Some boxes are more challenging than others and it needs to be thought through as to whether a topper can withstand wind and rain. Round postboxes are easier to fasten the toppers to, as they often have a handy groove below the top, while the brick-built square ones require some neat lashing to remain in place.

‘Whatever happens it will be sure to bring a smile to everyone who sees it.’

Please send your photos of your toppers to thetrefoilmagazine@ girlguiding.org.uk so that we can share them with other members.

Noticeboard

Bulletins and information for all our members

World Thinking Day

The theme of World Thinking Day 2023 is Our World, Our Peaceful Future. In 2022, the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) launched an emergency fund to help the work being carried out by European Guide and Scout Associations on the borders of Ukraine and the Association of Ukrainian Guides within the country. That fund raised over £300,000 and has given grants to Slovak Scouting, the Polish Girl Guides Association, The Romanian Girl Guides Association and the Guides and Scouts of Sweden, who are working with Ukrainian refugees along the border. They also work with those who have settled in their countries and have joined local Scout troops. Many young Ukrainians have been helped to attend camps and

Next year’s national events

The team are busy preparing for the Trefoil Walk and the Gathering in 2023. Negotiations with the YHA has given us some additional places on the Trefoil Walk. If you would like to be put on the waiting list for either event,

other events, and have been furnished with school equipment to continue their education.

But WAGGGS’ other work with girls and young women needs to go on. With the global cost of living rising daily, the World Thinking Day fund needs every penny it can get. If your guild would like to help, please send any money you raise directly to WAGGGS. You can download a donor form from: wagggs.org/en/ what-we-do/ world-thinking-day/ world-thinking-dayfund/

Or send your donation with a covering letter to WAGGGS Engagement, World Bureau, Olave Centre, 12c Lyndhurst Road, London NW3 5PQ, England. Please DO NOT send it to the Trefoil office as we have no means of processing it.

please email the office with your name and membership number.

• Trefoil Walk 2023, 4-9 September 2023, at Okehampton Youth Hostel, Dartmoor National Park.

• Gathering, 29 September-2 October 2023, at The Hayes, Swanwick, DE55 1AU.

The Deputy Editor

Some of you have probably noticed that the drawings and cartoons which have featured in The Trefoil for the past year were missing from the September edition and haven’t yet returned. Sadly, Jane Smart (pictured right), the Deputy Editor, who produces those lively illustrations and cartoons, suffered a stroke two weeks after the Annual Meeting and has been in hospital since then.

Ongoing physiotherapy has improved her movement, and she is gradually regaining her speech. The doctors are so satisfied with her progress that she is now at home to continue her recovery.

Many of you will have met Jane at the Annual Meeting, where her ebullient personality filled the area around The Trefoil and International stalls with her

Tribute to The Queen

joy at meeting old and new friends face to face. Her role in the magazine is much wider than providing the illustrations. She knows so many people all over the UK and in WAGGGS that she can always find a contact who has the right skills or information for an article. Our Zoom meetings before we begin a new issue are always full of laughter, as well as productive work!

We all send Jane our best wishes for a full recovery and look forward to her return.

This is the entry made by Trefoil Guild in the Girlguiding Book of Condolence: ‘Trefoil Guild members are deeply saddened by the passing of Her Majesty The Queen.

‘Since she became a Guide and enjoyed the fun and service of Girlguiding, back in 1937, Her Majesty has been an integral part of our movement. Queen Elizabeth II was an honoured Patron of Girlguiding, and central to our Promise, she inspired us all to do our best.

‘The Trefoil Guild Board of Trustees, and Trefoil members aged from 18 to over 100 send heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family at this painful time. Like you, we will miss her encouraging smiles, her consistent support and her unfailing kindness.’

Submissions to the magazine and website

We welcome all submitted items using the appropriate pro forma, which can be downloaded from the website. Please state whether you’re happy for them to be considered for the website if there is too little space in the magazine.

Submissions date for the March issue is 3 January 2023.

Your snapshots

We take a look at what guilds have been up to

Essential cakes

On three occasions during the pandemic, we were able to run an ‘essential goods’ stall at our local farmers’ market. For improved mental health, I felt cakes came under that category! It was rewarding when people came back each month to buy their favourite cake and gave feedback on new ones. Profits from the stall allowed us to pay the census during that year, as members had not been able to meet socially. We have been invited back later this year to run the stall.

Dorothy Sharpe, Witney Trefoil Guild

Water great afternoon

Icing fun

Have you ever tried to ice a cake while blindfolded? That was one of the competitions at the annual Three Essex Counties Day held at Guideacres in Essex South East. Mavis and Gladys had to find the cake and were told what to ice. I think they won because the tree was the only recognisable picture!

Christine Tanner, Anglia PR Adviser

In August, five members of Burwell Trefoil Guild attended the Girlguiding Cambridgeshire East and West Joint County Camp – East meets West. They were there to run the craft marquee, which was visited by over 400 girls and leaders. But they were also able to take part in their own activities, including a boat trip on the Norfolk Broads. On a glorious afternoon, they watched beautiful scenery go by and all had a go at steering.

Linda Larner, Burwell Trefoil Guild

Step this way

What an ideal place to attract attention to Trefoil Guild! We were walking down the iconic 199 steps from Whitby Abbey but were sidetracked by all the people walking up – an excuse for them to have a rest and chat! A beautiful place to explore, and we met other members from another region.

Christine Tanner, Witham Trefoil Guild

Camping celebration

To celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, we organised various events. The first was at our annual camp at Sealarks where seven members enjoyed making union flag bead boxes, decorating biscuits with union flags and making seven mini jubilee beacons to represent the seven decades The Queen had been on the throne. While at Sealarks, we also took a walk around Cuckmere Valley. Our final activity was a jubilee picnic lunch in the gardens at Kensington Palace, where we completed a pawprint trail discovering more about the gardens.

Claire Wallis, 2nd Purley Truffles Trefoil Guild

Great experience

A group of Trefoil Guild friends from Northamptonshire met up with other members from around the country on a Baltic cruise during the summer. We worked out that between the 20 of us we had 703 years of guiding experience!

Jane Causebrook, Danetre Trefoil Guild

Drumming delight

It took a lot of concentration, but we all agreed that the steel band drumming during the North East England Activity Day was terrific fun.

Jo Taylor, Sheffield City Trefoil Guild

Great escape

Judith Benson is a member of a group from North East England who spent a few days at Larne. She is pictured here on the Giant’s Causeway but was also ‘taken prisoner’ in Crumlin Road jail!

Chris Scruton, PR Adviser for North East England

En garde!

After listening to the inspirational speaker at the Annual Meeting in Llandudno, Mary Davies and Shirley Blanchard of Hafren Trefoil Guild decided to give fencing a go!

Shirley Blanchard, Hafren Trefoil Guild

Time for tea

Penrith Trefoil Guild enjoyed afternoon tea in a member’s garden, next to Ullswater, Cumbria, followed by a short walk down to the lake.

Rosemary Oakley, Penrith Trefoil Guild

Getting together

Crafts, exploring the city, science, Take 2 in 2022 Challenge, flower arranging, BSL signing and more were some of the activities at Trefoil Guild Scotland’s ‘Getaway to Stirling’ event. What a treat to meet again, renew friendships and make new friends – and what fun we had together!

Morna Macdonald, Berwickshire County Trefoil Guild

Skittles and tea

St Austell Trefoil Guild visited a skittle alley in Luxulyan in the summer. Age didn’t prove to be a barrier to taking part, as demonstrated by our oldest member, Joan Mitchell, 98! After two games of skittles the winner was June Davies, and we celebrated her win with a delicious cream tea in the pub next door.

Lynne Gouldsmith, Joint Cornwall PR Adviser

High flyers

Moray (Elgin) Trefoil Guild thoroughly enjoyed our visit to aviation museum Morayvia at Kinloss, where volunteers showed us round the helicopters, cockpits and museum. They answered all our questions and told us about their experiences in the different planes and helicopters – some of which are on display. Living so close to Kinloss and Lossiemouth, it was good seeing the planes and helicopters we have all seen flying overhead at close quarters.

Vivien Welsh, Moray (Elgin) Trefoil Guild

Joyful meet-up

Friends met at the Annual Meeting in Llandudno earlier this year, where they enjoyed the local area and the pier.

Liz Howie, Kilwinning Trefoil Guild

If you’d like to see images of your own guild’s activities on the pages of The Trefoil, please email your photographs to thetrefoilmagazine@girlguiding.org.uk for consideration.

Paying our respects

When Jan Butler of London Walkers and Talkers Trefoil and Ann Byrne of Waveney Trefoil saw The Queen’s coffin lying-in-state in Edinburgh they decided to show their own appreciation in London

The day began with a 4am drive to Epping from Bury St Edmunds, arriving at Tower Hill at 6.30am. After a 25-minute walk, we joined the queue in East London, near to Bermondsey Underground station, and started our long wait.

As we moved through Butler’s Wharf and on to the embankment, we suddenly realised that the route had been cleverly designed to pass by buildings and monuments with much significance to Her Majesty The Queen.

On the South Bank, where the queue meandered for as far as the eye could see, most of the buildings have been designed and built in the past 70 years and some even earlier than that when The Queen was still a princess. Over those decades she would have seen so much change in London, with varying styles of architecture and building methods. Iconic buildings like the OXO Tower and Butler’s Wharf have been converted into homes; amazing structures like The Shard, The Royal

National Theatre, The London Eye and The Globe have been newly built.

All this history and the changing scenery helped the time to pass quickly. In addition, friendships, albeit temporary, were created with people in the queue. We shared experiences of The Queen, laughed and joked. The thousands of volunteers regularly checked we were still healthy, police officers offered to take photographs for family albums, street pastors were interested in our Anglia Trefoil Guild jackets and all the while the River Thames, used for so many jubilee celebrations, ebbed and flowed.

After a remarkable six hours, we finally walked under Waterloo Bridge to be excited by the view of Big Ben (The Elizabeth Tower) and The Palace of Westminster. A cheer went up; people who had begun to wane suddenly had new energy; we were nearly there! We then entered Jubilee Gardens adjoining the London Eye. But it was four hours

later before we finally negotiated the zigzag paths in Victoria Tower Gardens and realised that the moment was getting ever closer. Two hours later we had successfully negotiated security checks, climbing the steps into historic Westminster Hall at 7.25pm. The mood of the people who had waited so long became sombre.

The total silence was overwhelming, the ancient venue in itself was humbling to view, but there, perched high on the catafalque in front of us, was the reason for more than 12 hours of queueing. The coffin, draped in the Royal Standard and topped with flowers, the crown, the orb and sceptre, seemed surreal.

Just as we arrived, the queue was halted in order to change the guard, so we were able to take in more of the surroundings. The hammering of the cane on the stone floor resounded eerily in the stillness. Just

the footsteps of the soldiers and the Yeoman of The Guard broke the serenity of the moment. Meanwhile, mourners stood motionless in tranquil wonder.

As we finally moved towards the coffin, we were struck by how small the Imperial State Crown appeared in reality but were stunned by its beauty; the precious jewels shimmered under the bright lights. We moved forward, curtseyed, and made the Guide Sign and the sad moment of respect was finished.

As we walked away, we both turned to look back for one final time to thank our Sovereign for all she has achieved in our whole lives. As the Patron of Girlguiding, she has been an incredible role model to millions of girls over seven decades. ‘Your Majesty, you certainly kept your Guide Promise, which you made when you were a young princess. Thank you for 70 years of dedicated service.’

Ringing the changes

Angie Cable, pictured below in white, is a member of Gippeswic Trefoil Guild in Ipswich. She is a church bellringer and wrote to tell us about her hobby

Some years ago, my daughter (then aged 10) saw her headmaster coming down from the church tower and asked what he was doing upstairs. He told her he was bellringing. When she said she wanted to learn to ring, he said he would teach her, but I would have to be in the tower at the same time. Now I am the only one of the family still ringing!

Tower bellringing does not play music as handbells do – we learn what we call

‘methods’, which are lines of numbers that indicate which bell is ringing in which position. It is musical but is done by numbers and bell number changing places. It sounds very difficult, doesn’t it? But once you’ve learned to ring methods, it becomes much easier the more you practise.

The bell has to be raised from being hung upside down to ‘mouth up’ to ring full circle. The handstroke is when we

pull the ‘sally’ – the fluffy bit. When it goes up to the highest point it is called a handstroke. The backstroke is when we pull down and then grab the sally again. We usually start by ringing rounds, where every bell takes its turn. Calls can be made to change the position of two bells at a time (call changes) and this can be very musical. We usually ring this for weddings at our tower. We have eight bells at St Margaret’s Church in Ipswich: some towers have four bells, and some have up to 16.

We have rung for weddings, funerals and Royal Jubilees. For funerals and Remembrance Day, we ring half-muffled, which means one side of the clapper has a leather muffle put on it.

During the Platinum Jubilee weekend we rang a quarter peal, which is continuous ringing for 45 minutes with 1,260 changes. This was my 167th quarter peal. I’ve been the conductor for 12 quarter peals. That means I have to keep my eyes on what is going on and try to put the course right if it is going wrong. I stay alert as I am ringing my own course at the same time.

Whilst I have been a bellringer I have helped with the teaching of new ringers. Although I did the teaching course, I decided that I wouldn’t take it further as I am not confident teaching real beginners. I am happier helping with teaching methods, standing back and ‘piloting’. Some people find it easy to learn to ring, others take longer. We have teachers

in each tower who will take you one step at a time through learning to handle the bell. Once you have learnt to ring, you can go into any church bell tower anywhere in the world and you’ll be welcomed with open arms. Bell ringing is a very sociable hobby.

I really enjoy my ringing and I am a member of the Suffolk Guild of Ringers, the Ladies’ Guild of Ringers and the Fire Service Guild of Ringers, as I worked for Suffolk Fire and Rescue for many years as their catering manager. This gives me the opportunity to ring all around the country and meet up with friends.

We have some lovely towers in Suffolk, and I have rung in many of them. Each bell rings differently so you have to get used to handling different bells very quickly.

It is good exercise both for the body and mind. We have to climb up to the tower, ring the bells and remember our courses. It is a wonderful hobby and, if you’d like to learn, any church with bells would be very happy to teach you.

“Once you have learnt to ring, you can go into any church bell tower anywhere in the world and you’ll be welcomed”

Remembering Her Majesty The Queen

Queen Elizabeth II was our patron from 1953. She was a Guide and Sea Ranger from 1937 to 1947 and supported guiding until she died

It has been a great privilege for us to be a part of the Queen’s life, and we wanted to reflect on some of the big moments of which we’ve been lucky to be a part.

The Queen became a Guide in 1937, aged 11, when Guide leader Miss V M Synge met Princess Elizabeth, her sister Princess Margaret and 14 of their cousins and friends after being invited to Buckingham Palace. Together they started 1st Buckingham Palace Guides, where they did everything an ordinary Guide unit would do including hiking, making campfires, learning first aid and going on scavenger hunts.

In 1942, during World War II, the Guide unit moved to Windsor Castle. Elizabeth, who was Patrol Leader of Swallows, kept guiding and helping with the war effort. When she turned 17, she joined Sea Rangers and became Chief Ranger of the British Empire in 1946.

Even though the Queen didn’t take on a leadership role after being a Ranger, her relationship with guiding continued. When she married Prince Philip in 1947, aged 21, two of her bridesmaids were former Buckingham Palace Guides and the ingredients for the wedding cake

were provided by the Australian Guides. The Queen became our Patron in 1953, a year after she took the throne. From 29 July to 7 August 1957, 4,000 Guides from 70 different countries went to the Windsor World Camp. The Queen, who let the organisers hold the camp in the Great Park, one of the Royal Parks, visited the camp too.

Since then, we’ve been at the Queen’s side mentioning her in the Promise, celebrating her jubilees and remembering her impact on the world. Our Patron took the time to meet hundreds of young members and volunteers over the years and is woven into the fabric of our history.

Most importantly, the Queen has always been part of guiding through the Promise. Our Promise links us to other Girlguiding members and the ten million people involved in guiding across the world and, as part of the Promise, we’ve always agreed to serve the Queen and our community.

In 1977, to celebrate 25 years of the Queen’s rule, four Guide bands and one Scout and Guide band took part in the British Youth Band Association’s Jubilee Parade on 25 September and lots of

members met her as she visited different parts of the country. We also released a special pin and cloth badge with the Scouts to celebrate.

2002 brought the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, with a cloth patch and metal badge. Many guiding members were involved in local and national celebrations, including street parties and special concerts. Some members were also involved in special ‘tribute’ challenges to mark the links between guiding and royalty.

The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012 was marked with a joint badge between the Guides and Scouts. In 2022, to

celebrate her Platinum Jubilee, Girlguiding took part in tree planting, beacon lighting and released three badges, among other celebrations.

In October this year, we launched commemorative woven and metal badges to acknowledge Her Majesty The Queen’s important role in our lives and in the guiding community. The badges give members the opportunity to acknowledge and commemorate her life and involvement, with profits from the badge helping to provide more girls and young women opportunities to have fun, friendship, and adventure for years to come.

‘While the core values of guiding have remained constant, I have been delighted to watch it evolve, led by the ambitions and needs of the girls of the day’

The Queen

An away day in... Orkney

Orkney is home to many fascinating historical treasures and many on the main island can be visited in one day, says Susan

Hogg, Chair of Trefoil Guild, Scotland

The island’s main town of Kirkwall was shaped by the Vikings, and there is a great deal to explore in the harbour area and town centre, with many local shops to visit, plus the magnificent St Magnus Cathedral, which was founded in 1137.

Skara Brae is a well-preserved settlement of ancient dwellings that are over 5,000 years old, and which give an insight into the daily lives of Neolithic people. Close by is Skaill House, a 17th century manor house that has been restored to its former glory and which gives an interesting view of Orkney’s past.

The Neolithic chambered cairn at Maeshowe is also around 5,000 years old. The tomb inside is illuminated by the sun during the winter solstice, and on the walls there are more than 30 runic inscriptions.

The Ring of Brodgar is a circle of standing stones situated overlooking two lochs and is one of the best-preserved stone circles in the UK – 36 of the 60 original megaliths stand in a perfect circle surrounded by a rock-cut ditch.

Nearby are the Standing Stones of Stenness, which may be the oldest stone circle in the UK, dating back more than 5,000 years. Only four stones of the original 12 remain standing but they are still an impressive sight, and it is thought they were part of Norse rituals as late as the 18th century.

Scapa Flow is a sheltered body of water south of the mainland. It was the UK’s chief naval base during the First and Second World Wars. The Churchill Barriers were built during the Second World War to protect the naval anchorage of Scapa Flow from U-boat attacks after the sinking of HMS Royal Oak in 1939 and you can still see the remains of earlier blockships in the water.

On the nearby island of Lamb Holm is the ornate Italian Chapel, which was built by Italian prisoners of war during the Second World War from two Nissen huts together with whatever materials they could lay their hands on.

The Ring of Brodgar, a circle of standing stones

Announcing the 2023 Annual Meeting

Next year’s event will be held in Glasgow, so why not make a trip out of it?

Members who joined us in 2022 said they ‘made the most of it and spent four nights in Llandudno. Plenty of laughter and fun’.

Lots of members make the Annual Meeting a focal point in a holiday, and Glasgow is a fantastic city break. There is also lots to explore right across Scotland – see our Away Day feature opposite for more ideas. Or why not investigate a pre-organised trip?

In 2023, we will be hearing from Avril Duncan, who featured in the June 2022 issue of The Trefoil. Here is a little bit

about her: Avril’s keen interest in human rights led her to co-found The Free to Live Trust – a charity working with victims of human trafficking. Avril has visited Sangam several times and has worked closely with WAGGGS and a number of NGO partners. Avril also holds roles in Girlguiding and is a Trefoil member. You can read the full bio at trefoilguild.co.uk/AM2023

You can read more about next year’s Annual Meeting in Glasgow overleaf. To join us in 2023, you can book online, or via the form on page 21.

TREFOIL KEY MESSAGES PHOTO CHALLENGE FINAL PART!

Thank you to everyone who has taken part so far. We hope this challenge has encouraged you to take more photos of your guild and think about our key messages.

Your final theme is Give Support

We’d love you to send us photos of your fellow Trefoil members giving support or welcoming a new member (see page 34). See our tips at trefoilguild.co.uk/ recruitment

The deadline to submit your photos is 1 March 2023, so keep sending them in to thetrefoilmagazine@girlguiding.org.uk and pop in the names of the people and their

Photo: iStock

Trefoil Guild Annual Meeting

Saturday 24 June 2023 in Glasgow

– order your tickets today!

Join us on Saturday 24 June 2023 in Glasgow at the Royal Concert Hall. The venue will be open from the morning and filled with a whole range of stalls for you to browse before the Annual Meeting itself starts at 2pm. In the past we have had stalls from Friends of World Centres, local trading depots, Greatdays, tombolas and so many more! If you’ve never been to a Trefoil Annual Meeting, you can expect a review by our National Chair, an update from Girlguiding via one of their representatives such as the Chief Guide, and a fantastic speaker. See who it will be on page 19.

The ticket price includes a woven badge, which will be posted with your ticket. Tickets can be purchased direct from Trefoil Guild, either online via the website trefoilguild.co.uk/events OR by using the form opposite. Tickets are £8 per person for the Annual Meeting and are nonrefundable.

If you have booked travel with Greatdays, please book your Annual Meeting tickets directly through Trefoil Guild.

Saturday evening entertainment

You can also purchase tickets for the evening entertainment. Organised by Scotland as the hosting country, the evening will display Scottish musical delights. Last year’s event was described by members as ‘wonderful entertainment’ and a ‘lovely concert’. The evening event is also open to nonTrefoil members, so bring along a partner or a few friends with whom to enjoy it. Doors open at 6.30pm and the entertainment will commence at 7pm, ending at 9.30pm.

Tickets are £13 per person and are non-refundable. Both events will be held at the Royal Concert Hall, 2 Sauchiehall St, Glasgow G2 3NY. Admittance to both events is strictly by ticket only.

Please order directly from Trefoil Guild by visiting trefoilguild.co.uk/events or using the application form on the opposite page.

Photo: iStock

Ticket order form

TREFOIL GUILD ANNUAL MEETING

JUNE 2023

RETURN TO: Trefoil Guild, 17-19 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 0PT

EMAIL ADDRESS FOR ACKNOWLEDGMENT:

ANNUAL MEETING –SATURDAY 24 JUNE 2023

I would like _______ non-refundable tickets at £8. TOTAL: £ _____________________

EVENING ENTERTAINMENT –SATURDAY 24 JUNE 2023

NAME:

MEMBERSHIP NUMBER: GUILD:

If you are travelling with Greatdays, please tick to say you consent to us sharing your contact information with Greatdays so that they are able to organise travel to and from the Annual Meeting: I consent

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If you are ordering tickets for a group, please include payment for postage as detailed and attach a full list of names of all members in the group.

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RDA riders take on the Challenge

And all thanks to the support of Trefoil Guild, says Clare Prysbet, Senior Manager, Partnerships & Philanthropy, RDA UK

Posting letters, getting through gates, bending around obstacles and picking apples from trees are all the typical tasks that a rider from the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) will encounter on a Countryside Challenge course.

This year marks the third year of support from Trefoil Guild for this popular event at the RDA National Championships. Thanks to the support from Trefoil Guild, RDA’s participants were able to benefit from the Countryside Challenge through lockdown, competing virtually in the RDA Virtual National Championships in 2021, and physically in the long-awaited National Championships at Hartpury University & College.

The Countryside Challenge is an inclusive competition for the charity’s riders, testing the riders’ skills learnt from their RDA sessions on a course based around school movements, dressage, showjumping, endurance, and most importantly – fun!

Designed both to stimulate and challenge the rider, it tests them in steering, balance, coordination and communication. Even Paralympic gold medallist Natasha Baker took part in

the Countryside Challenge when she rode at RDA!

Sue Mack, RDA National Lead for the Countryside Challenge, explains, ‘The Countryside Challenge is the first “building block” for combining therapy and competition to help riders progress at all levels, achieving goals not only in riding, but in their everyday lives by promoting confidence,concentration,decision-making, spatial awareness, independence, enjoyment and teamwork.’

This year, 81 riders of different ages and varying abilities took part in the Countryside Challenge at the RDA National Championships. Annie Wordley, who was the overall winner of her Independent Countryside Challenge class, told us why she loves the event. ‘It’s an interesting course because they had a bridge, fox and chickens – it wasn’t just poles. Everything was bright with lots of colour, and it was really fun and relaxing to ride. I want to do it again!’

RDA would like to thank all Trefoil Guild members who raised funds for us. Your support of Countryside Challenge has been hugely beneficial to our participants. We hope we can partner with you again soon.

How we helped RDA, by Sheila Leete, National Programme and Development Adviser!

In 2018, as part of Trefoil Guild’s 75th anniversary, the then National Chair Pat Downer announced that there would be a Trefoil 75th Birthday Challenge. All money raised would be donated to Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) to sponsor a Countryside Challenge at the RDA National Annual Championships. Many of you will remember the fun of the Celebrate Together challenge.

The aim was to raise £30,000, but Trefoil members exceeded all expectations, and in 2018, more than £84,000 was raised! By the time the cheque was presented to Ed Bracher, CEO of RDA, by Pat Downer and Ann Hall, the then National Programme Adviser, at the national Annual Meeting at Southport in June 2019, the total amount raised was an amazing £113,875.86.

Not only was it possible to sponsor the Countryside Challenge, but also to fund the fitting out of a kitchen for the riders, coaches and volunteers, as well as paying for the construction and surfacing of the outdoor area at the RDA

National Training Centre at Lowlands at Shrewley, Warwickshire.

Because of our support, Trefoil Guild was invited to have a display at the RDA National Championships for three years. The third year had to be put on hold due to Covid, but finally, this summer, the National Championships were resumed. Frances Parrett, National PR Adviser, Avril Stouse, who stood in for Eileen Martin, who was unable to attend, and I were delighted to receive invitations to attend the RDA Supporters lunch.

We had the opportunity to watch various equine disciplines in different arenas, as well as a tour of the facilities. Avril and I were invited to join the judges on the Countryside Challenge course to understand their role. At the end of each day, we presented rosettes and trophies on behalf of Trefoil to the winners of the various classes of the Countryside Challenge. With Frances’s eye-catching display, we met many RDA members and volunteers, all of whom are so grateful for our support. A wonderful experience.

Meet a guild

Hardy Perennials are getting established. But this is not gardening – it’s Meet a guild with a recruitment theme, says Frances Parrett

You may find you have a lot in common with this guild in Dorset. It’s not easy helping a new guild to get going, but there was a wish to do so, because meetings are usually held in the afternoon, excluding people who work full time. A group of enthusiasts got together and produced a flyer inviting Guiding people, past and present, to come to an inaugural meeting. The recruitment plan worked – and ten people attended!

‘We thought an evening Trefoil was worth trying – younger people who want to be involved are missing out; after all, Trefoil is for everyone and is meant to be a sociable, fun organisation while supporting Girlguiding and Scouting,’ says Judy Thompson, one of the three Dorchester members who are attending both guilds in order to support the evening group in its infancy. ‘We also

thought that in time, as the evening people retired, they might like to join our afternoon meetings as well – and thereby keep the original group thriving!’

The new evening group will become a separate guild, called, appropriately, Hardy Perennials.

The new guild had a successful summer barbecue at a local golf club, which was attended by 12 people, but it’s still a bumpy ride because the mailing list of 24 are busy parents and leaders, who can find it difficult to get to meetings. There is an enthusiastic planning team working hard to spread the word, but ‘Scouting starts evening group’ was not the headline they expected to see in the local newspaper!

There are autumn activities planned, including skittles and Christmas cake decorating. In this area near the coast, with wonderful walking and great history – not to mention the Thomas Hardy connection – this emerging guild will soon grow, and we look forward to hearing that they are registered with Trefoil HQ as a guild in their own right. Well done, Dorchester Trefoil, you have achieved a lot during this year of recruitment.

Are other guilds doing something similar? We’d love to hear about your hard work. See page 2 for details of how to get in touch.

Guild members discover Dorchester

Achievements

High flyer

At 81, Joyce Hutchings of Holbury and District Trefoil Guild completed a charity skydive at Netheravon Airfield to raise money for Oakhaven Hospice in Lymington. Joyce’s husband Ron was cared for at Oakhaven before he died in 2014. Joyce raised just over £1,500 for the charity and says the skydive was amazing to do but was definitely a once in a lifetime event…

Speedy Joan!

Avid Formula 1 fan Joan Deering, 101, from Ewell Trefoil Guild, achieved something from her ‘bucket list’ when she was driven around Brands Hatch racing circuit for four laps in a BMW M4 at speeds of over 120mph! She said, ‘It was just out of this world.’ She says her Trefoil spirit helps her overcome the limitations of being registered blind and having limited mobility in order to take on such challenges.

BEM for Maureen

Fundraiser

Irene Mortimore of Truro Spires Trefoil Guild helped to sell tickets for a prize draw at the Truro Golf Club Ladies Seniors Golf Open Day. The draw raised £255 to split between her own guild, Cornwall Trefoil Guild and Girlguiding Cornwall. She also displayed information about Trefoil Guild and Girlguiding.

Maureen Davies was presented with a British Empire Medal by Edmund Bailey, the High Sheriff of Gwynedd, at Caernarfon Castle. Maureen was an Anglesey Trefoil Guild member and former chair. She received her award for her volunteer work for Girlguiding and fundraising for other organisations including the RNLI, The Children’s League of Pity, Royal British Legion and NSPCC.

Have you received an award, or do you know someone who has?

Send the details and a photo to The Trefoil. Contact details on page 2.

Introducing Team TOPAZ Lesotho

Five Trefoil members are preparing for their trip next spring, while there are already plans for the following TOPAZ programme, reveals Sheran Oke, National International Adviser

Lesotho, a land-locked country in southern Africa, where terrain is described as ‘highlands, mountains, hills and plateaux’ is the next destination for our TOPAZ (Trefoil Overseas Partnership: Adventure with Zest) programme.

These five intrepid members of Trefoil are busy fundraising and preparing for their trip, which will take place in the spring of 2023. Team TOPAZ

Lesotho are: Fiona Waddell (Scotland), Mary Law (Scotland), Hazel Chant (LaSER), Emily Banks (SWE) and Jenny Hunt (Midlands).

It has certainly been a longawaited visit, as originally, they were expecting to travel in 2020, but the constraints of the global pandemic delayed progress. This has certainly not dampened their enthusiasm though – rather, it’s had the opposite effect! The UK Trefoil team will be working with the Lesotho Girl Guides Association (LGGA), which was founded in 1925. The LGGA is a full member of WAGGGS and a strong member of Africa Region.

Guiding in Lesotho exists mostly within the school system, with girls engaging in guiding activities principally led by teachers, who are also trained as Guiding leaders. Recently, the association has

focused on developing guiding within the community, thus allowing more girls the opportunity to enjoy guiding, which is focusing on specific topics such as health, advocacy, HIV and AIDS education.

LGGA is also looking at developing a programme for leaders to allow them to enjoy directly guiding for themselves – it is these opportunities that our Trefoil team are likely to be engaging with, both in leading and supporting. Later in 2023, we will be supporting our second TOPAZ programme of the year to Thailand. We are currently developing the project proposal with the team from the Girl Guide/Girl Scout Association of Thailand and have a TRIO weekend scheduled in early December to select the team. We are in no doubt that this will provide another amazing international opportunity for us to engage in.

Do check the Trefoil Guild website to keep updated on progress with International Trefoil and our TOPAZ projects, and future TRIO events: trefoilguild.co.uk/TOPAZ

‘OUR’ WORLD CENTRES

For many years we have been privileged to have WAGGGS World Centres across the world. These have enabled WAGGGS members to meet while enjoying a new culture and country, making new friends, some of whom will be lifelong. The centres provide an opportunity to visit either to attend a set programme or provide an opportunity to visit with friends and create your own adventure!

Our centres exist in well-established places such as Our Chalet, Switzerland, and Pax Lodge, London, and offer opportunities through Kusafiri, which moves around Africa Region. The future of ‘Our Cabaña’ in Mexico is unknown, but the reaction to this uncertainty has created increased energy for the available international opportunities.

The WAGGGS website worldcentres. wagggs.org/events showcases an evergrowing timetable of programme events from 2023 until 2026.

Why not get together as a guild, county, country or region to explore possibilities for travel to a World Centre? Contact your region International Adviser for support. Let’s use and treasure our World Centres, ensuring their availability for future generations. This reminds me of something my mother would always tell me – ‘use it or lose it’.

Share your adventures on your return.

Jenny Hunt and Emily Banks

Hazel Chant

Mary Law and Fiona Waddell

Attending the state funeral

Initial disbelief led to a moving and fascinating day for Heather Cruickshanks of Stourbridge Trefoil Guild

On the Saturday afternoon following the sad news of our Queen’s death, I received a phone call inviting me to the state funeral. The caller was from the Cabinet Office, and would I accept the invitation. In a state of shock, I said yes, but afterwards – like others, I later gathered – thought it a hoax, especially as I didn’t hear anything during the next few days.

I am the chair of Stourbridge Trefoil Guild and a Rainbow leader. Finally, an email towards the end of the week confirmed it was real –I was invited as one of a group called ‘everyday heroes’, which included key workers and volunteers.

I stayed at Pax Lodge on the Sunday night and left at 6.45am to get across London to the Victoria Tower Gardens for the security check. Needless to say, the whole day was an amazing experience from the start –those at the train stations and marshalling, who were so kind, the security joking with you but always vigilant. Once in the Abbey,

the music was sublime. Watching the comings and goings was fascinating, and I doubt I’ll ever forget the moment the organist stopped playing and, faintly but getting louder, you could hear the sound of the Scottish and Irish pipe bands approaching the Abbey with the coffin, and the click of boots as it was carried down the aisle. Fortunately, we were not only given an Order of Service book but also a Ceremonial book explaining who left where at what time and also who was who. As I left, I came out where the coaches were lined up to take heads of state back. I had once worked at a museum, and it was like looking at all the coaches that collected school children at the end of their visit and I did think, ‘Only in Britain!’

An amazing and utterly unforgettable day I shall treasure and all because I joined Girlguiding as a seven year old the year The Queen came to the throne and stayed.

Why do we make the tea?

Why is it that the Trefoil Guilds are asked to make the tea?

It’s a question heard quite often, so let’s take a look and see. If we base it on our Promise, as it’s one that we all make, It’s ingredients of ‘who we are’ and what stance we take!

Let’s start at the beginning, when we say we’ll do our best, And look at what we offer to that needed ‘Teas’ request. We are asked to be of Service to Community and King And we all like Helping Others and sharing all we bring. We are good at entertaining and Give Service with a smile Perhaps we’ll meet new friends and ones we’ve not seen for a while. We love to chat and listen, and learn about each guest, So this bit is quite easy, not a challenge, nor a test. The next part that we think about could be our Guiding Law

To see if making teas can be pleasure or a chore!

We are Honest and Trustworthy, so people know that when they ask, We can always be relied on and will fulfil the task.

Trefoil’s full of helping hands: we give time when we’re free Our abilities are endless, I think on that we all agree!

We can guarantee Politeness, and consider each guest’s needs, And we do work well together, listening to the one who leads.

To be good friends to everyone, to treat everyone the same, And to help our Guiding Sisters, will always be our aim. Every place has our respect, in or outdoors in the sun

We think of the environment, and recycling can be fun!

We’ll take on any challenge and make sandwiches by the score

Those who have a ‘speciality’ will create much more.

We can do scones to perfection, plain or fruity or with cheese. Such abilities we offer, so that everyone we please.

So next time we’re asked to ‘Make the teas’ let’s all respond with pride And say “Yes – it is our pleasure”, with our sisters by our side, And although we can do much, much more, let us make no mistake

When it comes to serving teas, we are the ‘icing on the cake!’

Chris Daniels, Leighton Buzzard Trefoil Guild

Your letters

Find out what other Trefoil members have on their minds

Keep The Trefoil as it is

I was very surprised, even shocked, to read in the September issue of The Trefoil that it had been suggested the magazine become online only. I was pleased that there was such a large number who, having been asked the question at the national Annual Meeting, said ‘no’.

I am chair of a guild that is attached to a residential home with both disabled and able-bodied members. None of the disabled members who live in the home and the member who lives in sheltered accommodation have access to computers, so are they to be forgotten even though they have had a lifetime interest in the Guiding movement?

For Trefoil members like some of mine, who have various stages of dementia, it is the magazine that can keep their interest in the movement, because they are able

to enjoy looking at the photographs, which remind them that we are all sisters in the guiding family whoever we are, whatever our personal needs.

As fully paid-up members, even with their various health issues, they are entitled to be sent the magazine in the present form, as it also informs their care staff of the existence of The Trefoil Guild.

My guild cannot be the only one that has members who are not computer literate because of age or health issues. Even some of my able-bodied members struggle with computers. If you do decide to produce an online edition, please remember the many others and continue to produce a paper edition for them too. I hope the magazine will continue in its present format for many years to come.

Brenda Barwick, 5th Edgware Trefoil Guild

Times are always a-changing!

Guiding has changed during my lifetime. I started as a Brownie aged seven and am now a nonagenarian in Trefoil.

During that time, the uniforms have changed, the activities have changed, even the Promise has changed, but what Lord Baden-Powell and later Lady Baden-Powell set out to do well over a hundred years ago has not changed. As the September 2022 issue of The Trefoil announces on its cover, Guiding and Trefoil are still ‘Fun and Friendship’. Although a member of Kent Lune Trefoil Guild I no longer attend any meetings, but The Trefoil keeps me in touch.

Apart from a couple of years in Canada, I have always been involved in Guiding in one way or another – as a Sixer and then Patrol Leader in Salisbury, as a Guider in Coulsdon, Surrey, an Air Ranger (above) in Exeter during the Second World War and

finally a Commissioner and a Trefoil Guild member in Cumbria.

Today I had a phone call from friend who now lives 300 miles away from me but who helped me run a Guide Company many years ago. Memories! Collecting wool from neighbours to knit socks for soldiers during the war. Pink socks? I still have a drawer of wool left over from that effort! Camouflaging tents with brown paint and green cattle dung for a camp in Cornwall during the war. Scouts camping in the garden of the cottage where I now live, forming a bucket chain to remove water from a flooded cellar.

Guiding has been a part of most of my life and I still look forward to receiving The Trefoil to read about the amazing achievements of Trefoil Guild members.

Thank you Guiding!

Maureen Lamb, Sedbergh, Cumbria

Please send your letters to: Trefoil Guild, 17-19 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 0PT, or email: thetrefoilmagazine@girlguiding.org.uk

Top ten reasons to visit Girlguiding Activity Centres

Whether it’s a holiday, team building or training, a visit to one of our centres gives something back to Girlguiding

You may be aware that there are five activity centres owned nationally by Girlguiding: Blackland Farm in West Sussex, ICANDO in central London, Foxlease in Hampshire, Waddow Hall in Lancashire and Glenbrook in the Peak District. But did you know that our centres offer more than just trips for Girlguiding units? Why take a visit to one of our centres? We’re here to tell you more…

1Enjoy the stunning locations

We’re lucky that our centres can be found in some beautiful parts of England. Immerse yourself in the New Forest with a visit to Foxlease, or camp in the rolling countryside of the Peak District National Park at Glenbrook. From the bedrooms at Waddow Hall you can enjoy the views of Clitheroe Castle and the River Ribble, and at Blackland Farm you can explore some fabulous walking routes within Ashdown Forest and the South Downs National

Park. In London, ICANDO is the ideal base for a visit to Buckingham Palace, the Royal Parks or a trip to the theatre.

2Make new friends and catch up with old ones

We love to build a community at our centres, and our friendly teams help to make your visit special. Why not use us to reconnect with friends from around the UK, or bring your whole guild to enjoy the facilities? We extend a warm welcome to all party sizes.

3Get active

We’re a group of activity centres so, of course, we love to promote the outdoors and getting active. If you fancy trying something new, why not take a look at the activities we have on offer? For those with a head for heights you can have a go on the zip wire, climbing walls or abseiling. You can get out on the water on a kayak

or canoe, or keep your feet firmly on the ground with archery, fencing, bushcraft, and more.

4Or relax and unwind

If you like to have some time to relax when you’re away from home, we can help with that too. A stay in our beautiful historic houses at Foxlease and Waddow Hall offers ensuite rooms, tasty meals and an evening drink in the bar. An early morning cuppa on our campsites can be just as relaxing, with the bonus of picturesque sunrises or the chance of spotting a deer.

5Find out what’s new at the centres

At Waddow Hall you’ll find redecorated bedrooms in the main house and Adventure House. Blackland Farm has a renovated pool area, and the team are excited to be offering paddleboarding for the first time in 2023. ICANDO is looking forward to rolling out their new Hidden Heritage trail exploring London’s blue plaques. The team at Foxlease has invested in new beds in the main house bedrooms and new bunks in the selfcatering accommodation, as well as a jetty on the lake and a refurbished woodland circle. Finally, Glenbrook has introduced a new nightline activity, ideal for team building sessions, as well as a pop-up crazy golf course.

6Use our meeting and training facilities

If you’re looking for a meeting room for hire, then look no further. Our centres can offer affordable well-equipped rooms and facilities for your guild.

7Experience something new with our volunteering opportunities

Why not volunteer with us in 2023? We’re always looking for volunteers to help us with the smooth running of the centres. This might involve helping at a large event for Girlguiding members, regular visits for site maintenance, a one-off visit to support a specific project, or assisting in the shop or office. Our volunteering programme is very flexible, and we’d love to have you on board!

8Soak

up the history of guiding

You can’t wander the corridors of Foxlease or Waddow Hall without discovering an array of guiding treasures. The walls are lined with interesting items from across the years – each with a story to tell. Why not ask us about our house tours, or book a visit to our artefact rooms?

9Buy

a badge!

No visit is complete without a trip to the shop. All our centres have wellstocked guiding shops offering a range of accessories, merchandise and badges. We also offer essentials for your camping trip – but do check on opening times so that you don’t get caught out.

10Give something back to guiding

A visit to our centres means you’re supporting Girlguiding. All profits go back to the charity and help girls across the UK to discover their full potential.

To find out more about our centres or to make a booking, visit our website at girlguidingactivitycentres.org.uk or email activitycentres@girlguiding.org.uk

Recruitment stories

Frances Parrett, National Public Relations Adviser, reveals some of the ways guilds across the country have been spreading the word about Trefoil

After nearly a full year of our Trefoil recruitment campaign, now is a fantastic time to take a look at some of the success stories from our members. And just because the year is drawing to a close doesn’t mean it’s time to stop recruitment. Now might be a time to

pause and reflect on what has worked well and what could be improved. Take some inspiration from the stories shared here and kickstart 2023 with a plan to keep opening up your Trefoil to new members, more friends, and renewed Trefoil enthusiasm!

Jean Kelly from Buckinghamshire gives this advice: ‘What a great day Buckinghamshire Trefoil had at the County Show promoting Trefoil. Invited by the Bucks Uniformed Youth team, our stand joined those for Scouts and Guides. We had lots of interest in the stand and enquiries as to what the Trefoil Guild is and, hopefully, we will get a few more members joining as a result.’ Why not see what local events your area has planned for 2023?

Gill Johnson from Birmingham didn’t pass up the opportunity to talk about Trefoil on a recent day out with Kidderminster Trefoil. ‘Kidderminster Trefoil members [were] out in Birmingham today to see The Bull, but were delighted to meet Myles Hesson, basketball team England captain, along with his Gold medal.’

Julie Dennis also took the opportunity to host a Trefoil stall. ‘Earley Trefoil is with Girlguiding in Earley at the Earley Green Fair today. Great to see so many Trefoil members coming to see us. Our stall is very busy – lots of activities for children.’ Getting the children interested is a great way to introduce Trefoil to parents who might not have heard of us before.

Lynda Curtis in Northamptonshire didn’t miss a beat when she wore Trefoil colours to an event that was being shown on TV! ‘Had a fab morning at Lee Valley velodrome. Pleased to hear the English cyclist who nearly ended up on our laps is ok.’

Maggie Cook from Bristol says, ‘Using our senior bus passes, Bristol North East Trefoil travelled to the top of North Street, Bedminster, and then ambled down the hill admiring the street art. Truly amazing. We then had lunch in Wetherspoons before taking various buses back to our homes.’ Wearing Trefoil colours, they certainly stood out as a friendly looking group.

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With your step spring a in

Venture into the new year with us and embrace the great outdoors! Our activity centres offer beautiful views, recognised walking routes and a comfy bed at the end of each day.

Blackland Farm

Blackland Farm, West Sussex – for Ashdown Forest, Standen House and The Bluebell Railway. Self catering breaks from £15 per person or camping from £9.10 per person

Glenbrook

Peak District – for Bakewell, Chatsworth House and the stunning peaks.

Self catering breaks from £19.50 per person or camping from £9.10 per person

Foxlease

New Forest – for Brockenhurst, Lyndhurst, Lymington and the beautiful National Park.

Rooms from £48 per room or camping from £7.50 per person

Waddow Hall

Lancashire – for Pendle Hill, Clitheroe Castle and the picturesque Ribble Valley.

Rooms from £48 per room or camping from £7.50 per person

Whether you’re a family, group or a lone traveller, you’ll be sure to get a warm welcome from our friendly team. Or why not book a short break with your guild?

Subscriptions 2023

Our handy guide on how and when to pay your subscriptions for next year

The process for renewing your Trefoil membership remains the same as in previous years with more and more guilds renewing online now, because it is such a quick and easy way to pay.

To continue your Trefoil membership for 2023, members must pay their subscription fees by the deadline of 22 February 2023 (World Thinking Day).

Online payments can be made up right up until 22 February but any guilds paying by the cheque and form method must have both with us in good time before the deadline.

Subscription fees are due for all members, including new members who join before 22 February, to ensure that they continue to receive The Trefoil magazine and all the other Trefoil benefits like access to our programme materials and events in 2023.

How to pay:

Your guild must pick just one of the following methods, with all members in the guild paying the same way. We would ask that if you are able to pay online as a guild, please use Option 1 if possible.

OPTION 1:

Pay online using our secure Trefoil website. Remember that all members in

the guild should pay the same way: either each member logs into their Trefoil website account and pays individually, or one member (such as the guild treasurer) collects the subscriptions for all members and then logs into their account and pays for all the members in the guild.

Payment is straightforward and stressfree; simply add the membership(s) to your virtual basket and go through an online checkout where you can pay securely. Your membership will be instantly renewed, and a receipt is emailed to you.

OPTION 2:

For members or guilds who are unable to pay online, you can still pay by cheque for the whole guild using the 2023 Guild Bulk Subscription Payment paper form.

The cheque must be for the full amount for all members who are renewing and accompanied by the 2023 form. The form was sent to all guild treasurers in November but can also be downloaded from the Trefoil website.

Important: Please read all the information and fill out the form and cheque carefully. Incorrectly filled out cheques incur bank charges and generate high administration costs.

In November your guild treasurer (or relevant guild contact) received an email** which included the following info:

• the national rate for the 2023 annual subscription fees, which is £16

• your country or region and county levy information (also available from your executive team)

• a list of existing members due to renew and their membership numbers ready for the payment window – remember to add any new members when paying.

If in doubt about how your guild is paying subscriptions for 2023, please check with your treasurer, chair, or secretary and

if you need step-by-step instructions (with handy images) these are available on the Trefoil website trefoilguild.co.uk/ subscriptions.

We know there will be membership changes over the year. You can keep us up to date with transfers or deaths by emailing trefoilguild@girlguiding.org.uk – but to update your own contact details or obtain your membership number, please call the dedicated membership helpline on 0151 668 0493.

We will be publishing reminders on our website and on our social media, so make sure you’re following us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for updates.

2023 SUBSCRIPTIONS PAYMENT TIMELINE

November 3 January 22 February May

Guild treasurers received email with a membership list, rates and information.

Payment window opens. Guilds can pay in two ways: online (as a guild or individually), or by guild cheque and form in the post.*

Payment window closes. All guilds must pay by this time.

Guild treasurers receive follow-up email confirming who has paid.

* Thank you to those paying subscriptions early but remember any member who joins before 22 February must also pay.

**If you are a treasurer and have not received this email, please contact the office via trefoilguild@girlguiding.org.uk to request a replacement subscriptions email.