Girl Guides

In 2010 it will be 100 years since the forming of Girlguiding UK. The start of Guides was in 1909 when girls turned up at the Scouts' first rally in Crystal Palace and asked 'Something for the girls?' As a result, the following year the first 'Girl Guides' were created by Lord Baden Powell, and later his wife, Lady Baden Powell, became the Chief Guide.

100 years on we are still going strong. In the UK there are 4 Sections - Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Senior Section, adult leaders and the Trefoil Guild. Girlguiding has also spread to many countries under the title World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. The Newcastle Division sponsors a group of Guides in Ghana.

Celebrations began in September this year with a launch around the country. Throughout the year there will be events running around the world, from Gibraltar to Mexico.

I have been part of Girlguiding since I was five, and really enjoyed everything I've done. I started in Rainbows at St. Bart's, and went all the way up to being a Ranger at Trinity Church in Gosforth. I'm now starting my Adult Leadership Award, so I can definitely speak from experience when I say it's a fantastic thing for anyone to get involved in from joining a unit as a member or becoming a leader. I've been able to take part in loads of things; a few for example are traditional camping in AInwick, Duke of Edinburgh and just recently a Launch Party at the Civic Centre in Newcastle.

As for my part in the Centenary, a group of six of us from Rangers is taking part in the Centenary Stampede. The event begins on the 27th of July next year in Paris. The premise of the Stampede is to travel around 5 countries in Europe in 14 days, completing activities along the way. These include participating in a community project, sampling local traditions, foods and customs and meeting other members of the Guiding movement.

The five countries we have chosen at the moment (aside from France) are Italy, Slovenia, Austria, Hungary and Denmark. We chose these countries to get a wide experience of places in Europe. Before we can do all this however, we have some serious funds to raise! We are running some events in this vein soon: bagpacking at ASDA in Benton. Any support you could give to these events would be greatly appreciated!

Jessica Walker