Families enjoy a teddy bear's picnic

Monday 12 October 2020

Pudsey was waiting to greet children and their parents at the end of a successful bear hunt and ramble this weekend.

The Countryfile ramble was organised by the Bailiwick of Guernsey Guild of Accredited Guides, with help from Iris & Dora, whose staff created a trail of fairy doors to look out for on the way.

The search started Portelet and finished at the Fairy Ring, where Debbie Duport was waiting with games and activities, and walkers were able to enjoy their picnics.

"We were overwhelmed by the turnout and counted over 200 people," said one of the organisers, Gill Girard. 

"These were mainly families with young children who thoroughly enjoyed the bear hunt we had set up.

Pictured: Debbie Duport leading the children through some action songs and dancing. 

"Teddy bears were hidden en route from Portelet to the Fairy Ring and one of our tour guides, Soo Welfair, led the children through the whole story with participation along the way."

"The biggest bear to find was waiting for them at the end of the trail and the children were delighted to see Pudsey Bear waving to them as they arrived."

The group of tour guides planned the event for a second time after last year's was a success. Mrs Girard is delighted that Guernsey is in a position to hold community events such as these. 

"I initially thought it would not go ahead this year because of all the Covid restrictions in the UK," she admitted.

"In the UK people have to be inventive and socially distance in very small groups so I thought this was a great opportunity for us in Guernsey where we are enjoying no such restrictions.

Pictured: The trail ended at the Fairy Ring, where the children played games and had a picnic. 

"We had support from local stores (Co-Op, Waitrose, Forest Stories and Candie Cache) who donated fruit, water and some sweet treats to give away to the children who sat and had a picnic at the Fairy Ring after some action songs and dancing with Debbie Duport.

"The volunteers from St John also came along, but fortunately had no casualties to deal with."