Passengers on a steamer on Windermere had a surprise recently when they encountered a whole flock of toy sheep, accompanied by a large group of Rainbows, Brownies and Guides from Girlguiding Cumbria South.
The “Herdy” sheep had been donated by the Lake District National Park who had challenged the girls to make each Herdy part of their Girlguiding unit.
Thus the fluffy toys were dressed up in Girlguiding uniforms as well as fantasy outfits and given names such as Pixie (Vickerstown Brownies), Fluffy Kindness (2nd Ulverston Rainbows) and Princess Glitterbell (1st Hawkshead Brownies).
They went on many adventures over the summer including geocaching, cycling, archery and golf as well as canal boat trips and visiting the Bay Search and Rescue. One Herdy even went to Switzerland, some went camping, and some joined a big Girlguiding sleepover at Beamish. All their activities were photographed and the pictures shared with other units.
The steamer trip was the culmination of the many months of Herdy adventures and was kindly donated by Windermere Steamers, allowing around 90 girls, their leaders and their Herdies to enjoy a lake cruise in glorious weather. A Lake District National Park representative chose the winning photograph – Herdy Sheila from 13th Barrow Guides preparing her bedding roll for camp.
11-year-old Amelia Lupton (8th Barrow Guides) commented: “We loved having a Herdy in our unit, dressing her up and taking her out on trips”. And Katie Mansell (also from 8th Barrow Guides) added that it had been good to meet all the Herdies on the boat trip as “they are all different and all seem to have their own personalities.”
