Sophie opens Girl Guiding Centre

HRH The Countess of Wessex, as president of the Girlguiding UK,  visit the Waddow House.

HRH The Countess of Wessex visited Ribble Valley, Waddington to open Waddow Hall, a new £680,000 adventure house.  The Countess was welcomed by scores of local Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and senior section members.  The ceremony was the accumulation of our years of planning, fund-raising and building.

The Countess laughed and joked to the thrilled youngsters before being introduced to civic dignitaries and guests including Ribble Valley Mayor, Coun. Mary Robinson, and her husband, David, Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans, and the council's chief executive Mr David Morris.  However, meeting the countess was like a fairy-tale for nine-year-old Clitheroe brownie Emily, who welcomed the special visitor by handing over a summer flower posy.
Emily (pictured) said she had been very excited about meeting the Countess and was honoured to have welcomed her.  It was also a very exciting day for Hannah (10), of the 1st West Bradford Guides. She recalled how she saw the Queen in London years ago and was excited to speak to Sophie.

The Countess was shown around the new adventure building, meeting staff and volunteers and gained an insight into how the premises will be used. When unveiling the plaque, Sophie commented on how quiet the children were. Waddow Hall management committee chairman Mrs Janet Taylor said the new adventure house will be used by members of Girlguiding UK and other youth organisations for week- long camps or short breaks.  
She added: " The building has accommodation to sleep 30 and replaces the Brownie House, which was in need of major renovation. The new development was funded by a £150,000 grant from the Lottery and the remaining £530,000 was raised through fund-raising.  Waddow Hall is the only training centre for Girl Guides in the North West and we are extremely delighted that the Countess, a former Brownie, officially opened the building. The last royal visit we had was in 1981, by Princess Margaret."

Mrs Carol Beal, who is Snowy Owl of the 2nd Clitheroe Brownies believes the new adventure house will give children an opportunity to develop their skills in a safe and friendly environment.  She commented: " We are very lucky to have the new facility on our doorstep where the youngsters can learn new skills. The Countess has made this a very special day. "

The Countess of Wessex was also given a guided tour of the 178-acre site. She was also given insight into basic guiding skills as the youngsters and their leaders showed off their skills by putting up tents, playing sports and taking part in a wide range of activities.
While touring the impressive grounds, the Countess stopped to talk to the children and was pleased to see demonstrations of all the activities staged at Waddow Hall including grass sledging, archery, canoeing, rock climbing, rafting, games, sports and the daring crate challenge.  After the tour of the grounds, the Countess made her way into the main Waddow Hall building where she mingled with members of the management team and was asked to sign a visitors' book before departing.  

 Summing up the "magnificent" day, Coun. Robinson, said: "It was a wonderful day. It think the Countess is very charming and was impressed by the activities staged.  "She mixed well with the children and I was impressed by the fact that she put her own personal stamp to the day. Waddow Hall is a great place and I was impressed by how marvellous the children were and by the facilities they have. Overall, it was a great honour and privilege to represent the people of the Ribble Valley." .