A NEW Sir Walter Scott Challenge Badge created by Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, Young Leaders and Leaders from Girlguiding Tweed Valley was launched at a ceremony at Abbotsford House on Sunday November 6.
The Duke of Buccleuch was welcomed to the launch and helped Rainbows Lola and Lucy and Guides Faye and Emily plant a Rowan tree to mark the occasion.
The tree had been gifted to Girlguiding Scottish Borders County by the duke and was part of the The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) ‘Tree of Trees’ installation to mark The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
And Abbotsford Estate was chosen because one of Sir Walter Scott’s passions was tree planting.
Ahead of the planting, the duke told the excited youngsters that he hoped they would return to visit the tree along with their own children and grandchildren in the future.
Now units across Girlguiding Scottish Borders are invited to take part in the challenge and earn the new badge.
Members of all ages can work towards the badge choosing from a range of creative activities inspired by Sir Walter Scott and his amazing collections at Abbotsford.
The activities are designed to be completed either at Abbotsford or remotely within local communities, no matter where each unit is based so everyone can get involved.
Challenges include making a quill pen, creating a ’mini museum’, hunting for secret treasure on the Abbotsford estate and making a clay gargoyle inspired by the “gruesome grinners” that adorn the walls at Abbotsford.
Gail Fox- Leader, 1st Tweedbank Guides said: ‘It has been fantastic to work in partnership with Abbotsford Trust to design the Sir Walter Scott Challenge badge.
“Girls of all ages designed the badge for their peers after visiting Abbotsford and learning more about Sir Walter Scott and his life.
“They were inspired to learn more and share this with others and it has been great to see their ideas come to life. Thank you to Abbotsford Trust for listening to our girls, taking on their ideas and bringing them to life.
“It is so important to allow young people to lead to develop skills and build confidence and opportunities to work with external groups enhances this.”
Sandra Mackenzie, Heritage Engagement Manager at Abbotsford, said: ‘The Abbotsford Trust is delighted to have worked in partnership with Girlguiding Tweed Valley East to develop this special badge to mark this important anniversary.
“We are grateful to all the Girlguiding members and leaders who have generously given their time, ideas and creativity over the past year to this project. As a charity, we are committed to providing opportunities for children and young people to explore and learn about their own built and natural local heritage.
“It’s wonderful to see young people taking the lead and getting involved with Abbotsford and the story of Sir Walter Scott in new and exciting ways and sharing their enthusiasm with other young people.”
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