What's coming this Autumn

I hope that users have been enjoying the new toilets at Coram's and the replenished sand!
We had our AGM in July which was a great success.  There were lots of attendees and a positive debate.  It is great to have community support!
We were also very lucky to have John Caldicott, the former Foundling Hospital pupil and secretary of The Old Coram Association, give a talk.  It was fascinating.  
Thank you to everyone who attended.
 
News
Coram's have been reviewing their Rental Policy and CFUG submitted a comprehensive paper of our recommendations covering pitch rental and general rental of the park.  We look forward to seeing the rental policy when Coram's have finalised it.  

Your top five priorities for the coming year from the questionnaire that you completed in July are as follows:
1. Sports related concerns (not enough / age groups / variety..)
2. Pitch rental to adults and rental of the park in general
3. Cleaning and Maintenance
4. Cafe
5. Paddling pool
There were many other things to look at and we will address all of them with Coram's.  Thank you all for your input.

There is a Trustee meeting coming up at the end of September that our chair will be attending - we will be getting an update on the marquee and the lawn maintenance as well as the major capital works that are planned for the park.



Did you know that Coram's Fields hosts Brownies and Girl Guides every week?

Last week, I interviewed Bec who volunteers running the Girl Guides with Charlotte to find out more...
 
What made you want to volunteer for Brownies?
I missed out on doing Guides when I was young and thought that it would be a great way to help out in the local community.  I live nearby!
 
How many volunteers are there?  
There are three volunteers in Guides and the same in Brownies.
 
When is Guides / Brownies?
Brownies (for girls aged 7-10 year olds) and 
Guides (for girls aged 10-14 years) are both hosted at Coram’s on weeknight evenings.
 
What do you do on a typical evening?
We have planned activities, some from the broad guide programme to help with life skills and earn badges. This term the theme is environment related.  We are growing watercress and having a speaker come in from the WWF (World Wildlife Fund).
We do some craft related activities, and learn a lot about and celebrate different cultures and diversity.
A new Girlguiding programme “for every girl” has very recently been announced, and it will soon form the basis of our activities each week. The new programme sets out the development of our girls throughout their years with Girlguiding:
https://www.girlguiding.org.uk/what-we-do/our-badges-and-activities/programme-for-every-girl/
 
Do you go away on camps? If so, when and where do you go?
We do lots of day trips.  We just had a great free trip on a Saturday to the Barbican to see some performance artists, and in October we have the Big Gig event which is an annual national Guides event held at the O2 in London.  There are some great bands and professional acts.  Thislink includes the artists playing: https://www.girlguiding.org.uk/what-we-do/events-and-opportunities/regular-girlguiding-events/big-gig/
 
Wellies and Wristbands is another example of a big event run annually, for Guides and Senior Section: https://www.girlguiding.org.uk/what-we-do/events-and-opportunities/regular-girlguiding-events/wellies-and-wristbands/
 
We also have camps, when we go away for the weekend or sometimes longer.  PGL is an example of the type of venue we run camps at with lots of amazing outdoor activities; the next is in November - http://www.pgl.co.uk/

We also have international trips sometimes.  GOLD being a particularly good example: https://www.girlguiding.org.uk/what-we-do/international-adventures/
 
Camps are subsidised in order to make sure all girls have the opportunity to attend. 
 
Does Guides cost anything?
Yes – we ask for a small fee per week (around £2.50) to cover the cost of the activities and contributes to the subsidised trips. This is paid termly.
 
What is your favourite thing about brownies?
I love watching the girls grow and develop, but most of all, it is great fun!
 
To join Brownies or Guides at Coram’s, or find the closest Rainbows or Rangers unit, you can register through the Girlguiding website and we will be in touch, we would be absolutely delighted to have your daughter join.
https://www.girlguiding.org.uk/information-for-parents/register-your-daughter/
You can find details on the girl guide website if you are an adult interested in becoming a volunteer.