LIPHOOK DISTRICT GUIDES

Liphook Guides Camping History & Background

In the early days, with Audrey Whinnet in charge, Liphook's camp traditions were laid down. Audrey eventually persuaded Kim who was now 1st Liphook's Guider, to take her camp licence and then passed most of the camp equipment on to her.

At first, 2nd Liphook Guides joined other Units' camps with Guider Janet Newitt. In 1989, the year after Heather Boosey moved to Liphook, some of the girls went to camp at Blacklands Farm, East Grinstead with Guides from Heather's old District from Essex .

In 1990, Heather (while 5 months pregnant), and some of the 2nd Liphook Guides joined with 1st Liphook for a camp at Merdon Castle. From then on, the 1st and 2nd Units in the District always camped together.

The 3rd Liphook (Disabled) Units went on many camps with their leader Mary Huggard, including a trip to Switzerland . This Unit has now disbanded but some of their camping equipment is still in use by the current Guides.

After summer camp 2004, Nina decided that after 17 years of being in charge of Liphook camping, it was time for her to pass on the reins (or should that be the mallet?) to someone else, and Heather Boosey took over.

Over the years, Liphook camping has gradually adapted to the changes in society and to the expectations of girls and their parents, so that camping is now quite different from the more spartan conditions and stricter discipline of the camps of old, although the core values and traditions have been retained.

Liphook District has camped at Merdon Castle near Winchester, at Foxlease in the New Forest, Blackland Farm near East Grinstead, and Berwick St James near Salisbury. Several weekend camps have also been held at local venues such as Heron's Wey, Tilford; Mellow Farm, near Bordon, High Hurlands in Bramshott and others.

There have been various themes including: The Flintstones, Wild West, The Elements, Royalty, The Simpsons, Planets, Around the World, King Arthur and the Knights, Shrek and many others.

These are some of the Leaders who over the years have helped at Liphook camps:

Victoria, Felicity, Lucy and Rachel have all expressed an interest in gaining their camper's licence in the next few years, and hopefully, the spirit of cooperation and team work that Liphook has as a team of Guiders and Young Leaders will continue for many years. The future of camping in Liphook looks good!

(In the near future, we hope to compile a list of camps run over the years with the venue, names of leaders, themes, memorable events etc, so watch this space!)