Wicksteed Park was taken over by a sea of bright neckers, excited chatter and non-stop energy on Saturday 25 April 2026, as Girlguiding Anglia hosted its much-anticipated Wonders of Wicksteed Park takeover for members across the region.
For one full day, the historic Kettering park became a Girlguiding-only space, welcoming Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, Rangers, and volunteers for an unforgettable mix of rides, wildlife encounters and shared adventure. From the moment gates opened, groups spread out across the park, making the most of more than 30 rides and attractions, scenic railway journeys, theatre shows, animal experiences and open green spaces perfect for picnics and meet-ups.
A total of 2,159 members and volunteers travelled from across the Anglia region, turning Wicksteed Park into a lively hub of guiding activity. Younger members dashed between attractions and soft-play areas, while older sections planned their own routes around the park, choosing when to jump on rides, catch a show, or pause by the lake for lunch with their unit.
Dedicated Girlguiding activity zones provided spaces to regroup, take part in extra challenges and enjoy quieter moments before heading off for the next adventure. Partners England Rugby also joined the day, bringing inflatable activities that proved a popular stop for members keen to test their throwing skills and teamwork.
Throughout the day, the atmosphere was one of excitement and ease. With the entire attractions reserved exclusively for Girlguiding Anglia, members were able to explore confidently, enjoy greater independence, and experience the scale of a region wide event without the pressure of general public crowds.
Feedback from members and volunteers highlighted just how much the day was enjoyed. Many cited the rides, particularly the Rocky River Falls Log Flume and Sway Rider, as firm favourites, alongside spending time with friends and having the freedom to explore the park together. One Guide summed up the day simply by saying their favourite part was “everything”, while another shared that they loved “hanging out and going on rides with my friends”. A Rainbow leader highlighted a particularly special moment of “meeting with my guiding daughter from another group, as she runs a different unit.”
A Girlguiding Anglia leader said:
“The Guides loved the freedom of being able to explore the park in their friendship groups rather than with an adult. The fact that the park felt safe was really good, and all the girls had fun having a go on the rides.”
Every member attending received a commemorative event badge, marking their part in a day that brought together guiding units of all sizes. For many, it was their first experience of seeing just how big Girlguiding Anglia is and how events at this scale can offer something truly different to regular unit meetings.
Deputy chief commissioner, Claire Course, added:
“The Wonders of Wicksteed takeover was a brilliant example of what our region can achieve together. Seeing so many members enjoying the freedom to explore, spend time with their friends and experience guiding on a larger scale was incredibly positive. Events like this show the real impact of region-wide opportunities.”
The Wonders of Wicksteed Park takeover is part of Girlguiding Anglia’s wider programme of large-format events, designed to give members access to experiences they wouldn’t be able to organise alone. By combining scale, structure and fun, the region continues to create opportunities where young people can try new things, build confidence and enjoy guiding in a completely different setting.
By the end of the day, members were heading home tired but smiling, proudly wearing their event badges and talking excitedly about their favourite moments from a hugely successful takeover at Wicksteed Park.
A Guide leader from Essex West, Meg Knight completed the marathon in 6 hours and 20 minutes, beating her predicted time by 10 minutes. But finishing was never just about the clock.
“Running the London Marathon was one of the hardest, most incredible and emotional days of my life,” Meg said. “I am so unbelievably proud of myself, not just for finishing but for proving something I needed to know. Mostly for myself. I can do hard things.”
In 2015, Meg’s life changed dramatically after she was seriously injured in a police car collision while working as a frontline Metropolitan Police officer. She sustained extensive spinal nerve damage, developed a chronic pain condition and was diagnosed with PTSD. Once fiercely independent, she had to relearn how to walk, using a wheelchair, crutches and a spinal brace during her recovery.
Leaving policing was devastating. Meg spoke openly about how losing her career and independence pushed her to a very low point, one where simply getting through each day felt overwhelming.
In time, Meg found space to rebuild her confidence and sense of purpose. After spotting a social media post about a local Guide unit at risk of closing without volunteers, Meg took a leap. Volunteering with Girlguiding now became part of her journey, offering community, connection and a place where she could contribute on her own terms. Today, she leads a Guide unit in Wickford, Essex, supporting girls aged 10-14.
Training for the London Marathon was gruelling. Meg trained for over a year while managing chronic pain and mobility issues, describing the experience “as tough as learning to walk again”. Falls, injuries and setbacks were part of the process but so were moments of joy and pride.
Marathon day itself was a mix of exhilaration and endurance. The early miles were carried by music, dancing and the infections energy of the crowds. But by 30km, with more than 12km still to go, the pain became overwhelming.
“That’s when I remembered my why,” Meg said. “I just kept putting one foot in front of the other.”
Knowing she was being followed and supported by friends, fellow leaders, and members of her Guide unit gave her strength when she needed it most. Her husband ran alongside her as a supporter runner, and crossing the finish line hand-in-hand was a moment she describes as deeply symbolic.
“I’ll still be disabled, and I’ll still live with excruciating pain, but this marathon showed me how truly strong I am,” she said. “I want the Guides in my unit to know they can do hard things too, especially when they have the right people around them.”
Voice notes and messages from the girls during the race nearly brought her to tears, reminders of why taking on such a challenge mattered. For Meg, the marathon wasn’t about overcoming disability or pain, but about demonstrating belief, perseverance and self-trust.
Now recovering – sore, exhausted and proud – Meg said the experience feels like the close of an important chapter.
And her messaging going forward is simple, and powerful:
“Girls can do anything.”
On Saturday 5 July 2025, Girlguiding Anglia proudly hosted Amazing Anglia, a special celebration held at Newmarket Racecourse to recognise over 70 exceptional young women for their achievements in Girlguiding. For many of the recipients, this moment had been years in the making, Amazing Anglia gave them the long-awaited recognition they truly deserved.
The day began with a warm welcome and arrival drinks, giving guests time to explore the venue and enjoy conversation with fellow volunteers, supporters and families. A beautifully presented afternoon tea followed, bringing everyone together in a relaxed and joyful atmosphere ahead of the formal proceedings.
At 2:30pm, the event opened officially with a heartfelt welcome from the Girlguiding Anglia Chief’s team, who shared their pride in the awardees and reflected on the impact guiding has on confidence, leadership and community. Guests also heard from children’s author Philippa Leathley, who spoke about her personal journey in Girlguiding, her creative work and belief in the power of perseverance.
The highlight of the day was the award ceremony, where each young woman was called to the stage to be recognised for her accomplishments. Awards included the Queen’s Guide Award, Commonwealth Award, Anglia Youth Award, Youth Leader Qualification, DofE Gold Award, and the Guiding Star Award.
“It’s exciting to be celebrated for these awards. They took a lot of hard work, so it’s nice to see it all pay off.” – Queen’s Guide and Gold DofE Award recipient
Another highlight of the afternoon was the Inspire stall, where young women had the opportunity to find out more about Inspire, Girlguiding’s offer for 18-30s. With friendly volunteers on hand to answer questions and share experiences, the stall was a great place for awardees to explore how they can stay involved and take the next step in their guiding journey.
As the day drew to a close, guests captured photos and shared stories from their guiding journeys, leaving with a sense of pride, connection and inspiration. Amazing Anglia was more than a celebration; it was a reminder of the strength of the guiding community and the powerful impact it has on young women across the region.
Girlguiding Anglia is immensely proud of all those recognised at Amazing Anglia, and deeply grateful to the families, volunteers and partners who have supported them along the way. We look forward to continuing to empower girls to grow, lead, and make a difference in their communities.
I Just got back from the most incredible Overture Diversity Network Meeting in vibrant Bucharest, Romania, representing Girlguiding UK – and let me tell you, it was epic! From June 6 to 8, I was surrounded by over 50 amazing Scouts and Guides from 16 countries, all buzzing with ideas on how to make Guiding and Scouting even more inclusive. The connections made and the energy was amazing!
We dived deep into everything from neurodiversity and peace education to mental health and social inclusion. It was such a positive experience, packed with shared learnings that are going to make a real difference to our work here.
Being there as a Girlguiding UK rep, alongside delegates from all over the world, felt truly special. We’re all on the same page, striving for a more diverse and inclusive world through our movements. The agenda was jam-packed, and I walked away from every session with fresh perspectives and actionable ideas.
A highlight was meeting Evelyn Dick and Rosie Jones from the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts and hearing their presentations. Also, our Norfolk county inclusion advisor Emma Brown was amazing as we shared the experience together. 
I also found the discussions on ‘Reaching young people from lower-income areas’ and
‘Through diversity and inclusion towards mental health’ super impactful, hitting home with Girlguiding’s core values.
It wasn’t just about sitting and listening though, it was all about teamwork! We chatted about the ‘World Scouting D&I data report’ and how to create truly inclusive spaces with immersive games and challenges. It’s so inspiring to see how different countries are tackling similar challenges and sharing their best bits. 
And the fun didn’t stop there! The international evening was a fantastic gathering, celebrating our global sisterhood, and exploring Bucharest on the bus and walking tour was a brilliant way to soak up Romanian culture.
One session that really stuck with me was the ‘Cultural differences by Azerbaijan Scout presentation.’ It showed just how much culture shapes their guiding, from traditions to community work. It was a brilliant reminder that while our core Girlguiding values are universal, the ways we express them can be wonderfully diverse. This reinforced my belief that anyone heading on an international trip should always do their homework on the local culture, it makes all the difference for genuine connections and respectful engagement.
I was also incredibly moved by meeting Paul Pop, who was recognised with the peace badge for his amazing support of Ukraine refugees. His talk was a powerful reminder of how our Guiding and Scouting principles translate into real-world humanitarian action. What an inspiration! 
The meeting wrapped up on a really sweet note with the closing ceremony, and the handover from the fantastic Romanian hosts (they were truly exceptional!) to the next hosts, Italy! It’s so cool to see the torch being passed, keeping the momentum going for diversity and inclusion. Can’t wait to see what Italy brings to the table!
Coming home, I’m absolutely buzzing with new ideas and a renewed sense of purpose for Girlguiding UK. This event truly highlighted the power of our movement to create positive change and how vital our work in diversity and inclusion is. So grateful for the connections and the invaluable learning – it was a true privilege to represent Girlguiding UK on such a fantastic international stage!
Ruby Goold
Inclusion and belonging lead volunteer
Girlguiding Anglia