Islanders Visit Plymouth- Suzanne Whitewood
Girlguiding Isle of Wight forms part of Girlguiding's South West Region along with
16 other counties. Ten members and friends from here, including Deborah Meadows (Island Commissioner) recently travelled to Plymouth for the Annual Celebration which was held in the City Guildhall and attended by the Lord Mayor Cllr. Michael Fletcher.
Altogether nearly 500 members attended these celebrations hosted by Girlguiding Devon. Several workshops and visits around Plymouth were arranged for the morning sessions before the main meeting in the afternoon.
Chairing the event was Region Commissioner Gill Slocombe and the main session celebrated how diverse Girlguiding is today with talks and displays on foreign travel and global awareness, overcoming dyslexia, work in the community and fun pop music. In fact it is this diversity that Girlguiding now wishes to communicate to the public- the image of girls tying knots and knitting is long in the past. Now it is Rock Music (A Big Gig for 20.000 with the latest names in pop and rock is held every year) Extreme Sports and Computers that interest the members along with more traditional values such as care in the community.
As well as attending the event the Island members had a chance to see some of the interesting and historical parts of Plymouth.
Girlguiding Devon organised several activities including a boat trip on the Tamar. Other members visited the Plymouth Gin Distillery, well known for one of the original gins made in this country and dating back to 1793. It is well worth a taste. In fact hundreds of Islanders and visitors to the Island tasted this "Mothers Ruin" when Plymouth Gin had a stand with sampling during Skandia Cowes Week. It is hoped that when the UKSA based “Gypsy Moth” returns to the UK after its World travels at the end of May, Plymouth Gin will provide a welcome.
Plymouth has a long connection with the Island as the Fastnet Race finishes there. This year’s race sponsored by Rolex, leaves Cowes on 12th August and the first boats will reach Plymouth a few days later after passing the Fastnet Rock off Ireland.
Full of history the city has something for everyone. Of course the Hoe is a must visit as is the new shopping mall-“Drake Circus”. However it was an honour for members of Girlguiding to see the Victorian Gothic style Guildhall which dates from 1874. Originally opened by the then Prince of Wales it was blitzed in 1941 but reopened in 1959 by Field Marshall Montgomery.
Seaside resorts of Devon are perhaps more well known than Plymouth but it is well worth a visit.
Girlguiding Devon also arranged the accommodation for members wishing to stay for the weekend. A special dinner was held at “Holiday Inn” where several members also stayed. Another hotel which proved popular with Girlguiding members was the 4* Copthorne. Based near the railway station and a few minutes walk from the main shopping area it is ideal for a city visit. On this occasion it proved an excellent venue as it is near to the Guildhall and within a short walk of most of Plymouth’s tourist sites. At present a visit to the Copthorne’s web-site offers the chance to win a stay there.