Usk and Monmouth Guides have just returned from a very successful visit to Switzerland. In all, 23 Guides from Usk and Monmouth area accompanied by 7 leaders travelled to Adelboden. Whilst there they went to Our Chalet which is one of the Girl Guides International centres. An afternoon of activities celebrated the 75th Anniversary of Our Chalet. The Girlguiding Promise was said in 5 languages and also Happy Birthday sung in the same languages to one of the Guides who was celebrating her birthday on that day. The Guides stayed in a Chalet in Adelboden and participated in various outdoor activities such as hiking, tobogganing, scooters, swimming, aerial runway, abseiling, rope bridges, as well as sailing on a steamer on one of the lakes; a trip up the funicular railway at Neissenbahn and a visit to a local cheese farm. During their stay it was Swiss National Day and they were able to join a parade through the town and watch a firework display. A Swiss Evening was held in a restaurant at the top of one of the local mountains with other youth groups. Guides were able to taste some local produce at the buffet and then flew the flag for Wales at the evening's entertainment by performing a Welsh folk song and dance. The highlight of the evening was, however, the trip down the mountain in a cable car in the dark! The trip was a huge success and was the culmination of much fund raising and planning - a fitting celebration for Usk Guides 90th Anniversary! The Guides would like to thank the people and businesses of Usk for their support of the various fund raising activities which enabled the trip to be affordable to all girls who wanted to go. The Guide Unit meets on Thursday evenings at the Youth Centre in Usk from 6 to7.30pm for girls aged 10-14 years. New Leaders and helpers are always welcome. Volunteering with Girlguiding UK is a very rewarding experience and great fun.
