SSAGO News

Every year, SSAGO has the chance to nominate other SSAGO members for a series of awards and commendations. It is an amazing chance to recognise some of the hard work members of SSAGO put in over the years.

 

Cutlery Cup 

Sophie De Naeyer, Leeds, won the cutlery cup in 2025 due to her support of her club and the Leeds of the Rings Rally committee. Sophie has shown outstanding commitment throughout her time in SSAGO both locally at a club level at Leeds and nationally by chairing Leeds of the Rings Rally. She joined SSAGO in 2020 and was president of Leeds in 2021-2022 and resumed the role in 2023 after an EGM. Whilst chairing Leeds of the Rings Rally, she overcame various challenges (mainly due to the weather) and still managed to support the wider committee and deliver the event effectively. Sophie is also involved in Scouting in Leeds, acting as a District Youth Lead for North Leeds Scouts and being part of the campsite team at Wike Campsite. She was also selected for the Team of Ten in 2025 to be a part of the Windsor Day of Celebration and Achievement. 

 

Committee Colendar 

Winchester was awarded the committee colander in 2025. Winchester is a new club and has been fully involved in SSAGO nationally as well as running good weekly events for their members locally. Winchester has fully got involved in SSAGO as a new club. They have good attendance at national events and have provided activity inspiration for other clubs. They ensure that all members have a good time at their club and are able to adapt when things don’t go to plan. The committee also volunteer in local scout units and have been involved in hosting events for guiding. 

 

Best local event commendation

The Best Local event commendation in 2025 was awarded to SAGGY’s Freshers’ Weekend that took place in October 2024. Scout and Girl Guides York (SAGGY)’s Freshers’ Weekend took place in Scarborough and featured a range of events such as exploring Scarborough Castle, a hike and a biscuit challenge badge. The weekend ran smoothly due to SAGGY’s treasurer who led the planning and secured a grant from the student union. It was a successful weekend and enjoyed by all who attended, allowing them to create new friendships and lasting memories outside of the weekly meetings of the society.

 

Best volunteering commendation 

The Best Volunteering Commendation was won by Belle Pettinger of Scouts and Girl Guides York (SAGGY). Belle has been the SAGGY chair and the guide rep during their time in SSAGO ensuring that the club contributes to local Girlguiding and Scouting events and keeping up links between the club and local units. They have a number of Girlguiding roles both in York and in Wiltshire North including being part of the Division Team, Young Leader Coordinator and a County Photographer. They have also volunteered for eleven different Girlguiding units in the past three years including three regularly every week in York. Outside of SSAGO and Girlguiding, they are the college president of their college at York and volunteer for Student Minds and Nightsafe.

 

Best activity commendation

The Best Activity commendation was won by Annabel Quill from DUSAGG for the Epiphany Hunt. The Epiphany Hunt was a variation of an Easter hunt named after the university term at Durham. It featured a chocolate egg hunt, cardboard president model making, paracord crafts and a challenge to get a chocolate from the forehead to the mouth without dropping it. The top three competitors were awarded with more eggs. It was a unique, well planned and fun event that was enjoyed by all who attended.