On 7 May at 12.30 Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers started to arrive at the Bishop’s Palace in Wells, with their families and leaders for an afternoon of activities arranged by Girlguiding Somerset for the girls and the general public.
In keeping with our ethos, the activities were on an environmental theme and included recycling milk bottles into elephants, candle dipping, rag wreaths and tote bags from t-shirts, wildflower seed bombs, quiz and trails round the beautiful gardens. His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for Somerset, Mr Mohammed Saddiq visited our event.
At 5pm the Palace was closed to the general public and the girls laid out their bedding in the Undercroft or for those camping, pitched their tents. We then gathered for tea. There was chance for a walk around the gardens and a nocturnal animal hunt before campfire on the croquet lawn. The Bishop of Bath and Wells joined us in singing, fresh from assisting the King in his Coronation the previous day.
Those sleeping inside enjoyed the underfloor heating of the Undercroft and those outside enjoyed the freedom and excitement of camping with their friends.
The weather had been very kind to us on Sunday but the rain at 5.00am meant those camping enjoyed a wet strike. However, there was breakfast awaiting and lots of excited girls waiting to tell their families about their adventure.
It was a great event, giving an opportunity of a sleepover to 230 members.
#GirlguidingAtThePalace
We help all girls know they can do anything. If you’d like to get involved, get in touch today girlguiding.org.uk.
Girlguiding Somerset county 