On Sunday 23 August, around 70 Girlguiding South West England members came together for a very special event, marking the achievement of their Silver Oak Leaf award. This fantastic award recognises dedication, commitment and years of service, and it was wonderful to bring recipients together to celebrate their achievements.
Our first annual Silver Oak Leaf fellowship took place at the beautiful Bishop’s Palace and Gardens, providing the perfect setting for a day of celebration. Guests had the opportunity to explore the stunning gardens, admire the statues and water features, and discover the historic buildings before coming together for the main event.
We heard a wonderful presentation about Girlguiding South West England region from our Chief Commissioner, Rachael, followed by a fun and competitive quiz all about our region – with plenty of laughter along the way!
Lunch was then served, and it certainly did not disappoint! The food was exceptional, finished with beautifully presented puddings topped with delicate edible flowers.
Of course, no event would be complete without a raffle! There were some fantastic prizes up for grabs, including a brand-new SWE hoodie, a SWE merchandise hamper, wine, chocolates and plenty more. Needless to say, there were lots of very excited winners!
We’re delighted to have raised an incredible £200, with all proceeds going towards international travel opportunities for our young members. Your generosity will help them experience new adventures, explore the world and create memories that will last a lifetime. Thank you to everyone who bought tickets and supported the raffle!
Most importantly, the day was about coming together. There was lots of laughter, chatting, catching up with old friends and making new ones, all set against the beautiful surroundings of Bishop’s Palace. The atmosphere throughout the day was truly fantastic.
This will now become an annual event, with everyone who achieves their Silver Oak Leaf award invited to join us each year. It was a wonderful way to recognise the incredible contribution of our members and celebrate everything they have given to Girlguiding.
Congratulations to all of our Silver Oak Leaf recipients – we look forward to celebrating with you again next year!
