Introducing our lovely GOLD Leader Laura!
Name?
Laura Gilfillan
Where are you from?
As a Senior Section member, an international camp to Norway when I was 18. I was selected to go with 12 other girls from across Ulster and it was an amazing trip with all meals cooked on an open fire with the ingredients collected each day. A full day hiking and camping out in a shelter we built with a torrential thunderstorm almost throughout, drop toilets and a lake to wash in.
Ballinamallard, near Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland
What do you do in Guiding?
Assistant Leader with 11th Leamington Spa Brownies
What's your favourite Guiding memory?
So many to choose from!
As a Brownie, Brownie pack holiday up on the North Coast of Northern Ireland near Dunluce Castle and the Giant's Causeway. Walking up Topped Mountain in Fermanagh in the summer term and having a hotdog after.
As a Guide, many damp camps in Fermanagh and a stay at the Guide Cottage at the Ulster HQ at Lorne. On an evening walk along the shore, we got hit by the wake of the ferry from Scotland coming into Belfast Lough almost up to our waists.
As a Senior Section member, an international camp to Norway when I was 18. I was selected to go with 12 other girls from across Ulster and it was an amazing trip with all meals cooked on an open fire with the ingredients collected each day. A full day hiking and camping out in a shelter we built with a torrential thunderstorm almost throughout, drop toilets and a lake to wash in.
As a leader with my own Brownies, watching how the girls confidence grows and how they bond during the performance of our bi-annual show over a week when they do three full performances. Also seeing my Brownies a year or two into Guides and how they have continued to grow.
As a GOLD participant, meeting all the inspiring young women from across the UK during the selection weekend and spending an amazing three weeks in Latvia with my brilliant 2015 team who are now firmly lifelong friends. Going to a different country to work with their Guides and Scouts was both similar and very different to the UK and a great experience I'll never forget.
As GOLD Ghana 2016 team leader, meeting another bunch of wonderful woman from all corners of the UK. Learning their strengths, of which there are many, and what they may struggle with. Watching how the team has bonded and worked together so far, I have no doubts that project is going to be fantastic.
Hardest thing you've ever done?
Accept when I can't do something or that things may not work out how I would like them to and learn to give things and myself time to sort themselves out.
Fun fact that not many people know?
On a trip to Japan to visit my brother in 2010, I danced in the worlds third largest dance festival Awa Odori in Tokushima. We were dressed in the traditional costume by locals and taught the dance which we then performed along the Main Street stage. The festival runs over three days and it was another unforgettable experience.
Favourite thing that begins with G?
Granny. She will be 98 this year and even when you don't explain everything that's going on, she responds with exactly the right empathy and sound advice. She carries on regardless and it is amazing to think of all the things and changes that see has witnessed throughout her lifetime. For someone who really doesn't travel well either, she's been to all corners of the world and always has good advice in that regard too.
What are you most excited for on project?
Going to a completely different country and culture and getting to fully experience the culture which the GOLD project leads itself to as we will be working with the local communities in several regions of the country. I also can't wait to put into practise the preparations the team have made and see the team working together during the training sessions. We will also provide the much needed support to one another throughout the time and I'm looking forward to all the laughs.
GOLD Love
XOXO
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