Rooting for success!

Snettisham Girl Guides busy preparing for RHS Sandringham Flower Show

“I am really excited about doing it,” 13 year old Izzy tells me, as she’s busy making a leaf out of willow. Snettisham Girl Guides are preparing things for the RHS Sandringham Flower Show.

Groups across North West Norfolk are contributing to ‘The Girlguiding Journey garden', which will feature bug houses and bee hotels, in a woodland setting.

Tonight the group’s joined by the Coddiwomplers, who run willow weaving workshops - and are showing the girls how to make a wigwam.

Jessica’s first to have a go, “I’m weaving to make this thing that goes in our garden at Sandringham, for the King to come and look at.” And she’s a natural, smiling as she continues to weave.

Nearby, 11 year old Chery’s busy making wooden bookmarks, that will be handed out at the show. I ask if she enjoys gardening, “Yep, it’s fun to like explore the different flowers and different techniques.”

Emily tells me she’s, “A little bit excited because the King’s going to be there. Me and my friend have done some gardening in her garden before, but it’s quite new to me to be honest.”

The Girlguiding Journey garden

Group leader Ruby Goold adds, “The garden is 80 metre squared, so it’s a really big project.

“We have our garden designer and head of landscape who are volunteering their time, all of our Girlguiding units are making things.”

The design’s based around badges, such as biodiversity and bee rescuer.

“And at the corner we’ve got the camp area, which is every girl guiding dream - you have your camp songs, marshmallows - so it’s a real journey through the garden and the different ways you can earn your badges.”

After the show in July, the garden will be relocated to the Hautbois Activity Centre in Norfolk, for Girl Guides to enjoy.

As willow snails and leaves are added to the wigwam, it’s brilliant to see the excitement amongst the girls, who’ve got some busy months ahead.

I'm sure we're not the only ones rooting for their success!