When Lord Robert Baden-Powell organised a club for boys in 1909 he probably never imagined the impact his Scout and Guide groups would have on young people worldwide.
But he would have been proud to see more than 1,500 girls and women gathered together in Shropshire this weekend to celebrate with a ‘One World One Beat’ event – complete with shadow puppets, African storytelling, belly dancing and junk percussion sessions.
Elaine Brannan, county commissioner for Girlguiding Shropshire, said: “Thinking Day is always a special day, and this year is particularly special because it’s our centenary. Thinking day is February 22 because this was the birthday of both our founders, Lord Baden-Powell and his wife Olave.”
In Shropshire about 450 adults volunteer with Rainbow (aged five-seven), Brownie (seven-10), Guide (10-14) and Senior Section(14-25) units, providing activities, holidays and challenges for 3,400 girls and young women. Elaine said the appeal of guiding was something that has survived because of the way the programme was organised.
“Girls lead the programme which is why we’ve survived for 100 years,” she said. “We’ve moved with the times. It’s fun, it’s a safe girl-only space.”
The first group of Guides was formed by Lord Baden-Powell in 1910. The girls had turned up at the first Boy Scout Rally at Crystal Palace the previous year as they were interested in joining in with the activities the boys were doing. The early Girl Guides were quickly able to prove how versatile and useful they could be when war broke out.
During the First World War the organisation introduced a War Service Badge and Guides were called into service to act as messengers for Marconi Wireless Telegraphs.
During the Second World War the British Government called on the services of the Girl Guides as well, and at the request of the Ministry of Food members demonstrated ‘blitz cooking’ and made emergency fireplaces from the bricks of bombed houses.
Celebrations
Youngsters taking part in the Thinking Day celebrations this week are still learning valuable skills while having fun.
Katie Russell, 13, and Layla Bennion, 12, from 1st Oxon Guides in Shrewsbury, said: “We all do the Baden-Powell badge too, where you have to do 10 different activities in different subjects and you have to present it to the guide group.”
The younger members also get the chance to do badge work, as well as learning computer skills, cooking, and finding out about different parts of the world.
Esme Rowson, nine, and Jessica Waters, eight, from 1st Hanwood Brownies, said they liked finding out about different people and different times. “Brownies is fun and we get to learn a lot,” Esme said. “We learn about countries and different times like World War II.”
Guide leader Judy Ellis said the skills girls learn, including teamwork and communication, stand them in good stead once they leave school. “You very rarely find a guide who’s out of work because they have all the skills that employers need,” she said.
Adults too can get involved with guiding, and are being encouraged to do so in the centenary year.
Elaine said: “We’ve got a waiting list of about 400 in Shropshire but we can’t take them on because we don’t have the leaders.
“It can be very fulfilling. I’ve been in guiding since I was seven and I’ve made lots of friends. I always say that it gave me so much when when I stopped work to have a family.”
l To find out more about getting involved in guiding call 0800 169 5901, email webmaster@shropshireguid ing.org.uk or complete the online form at girlguiding.org.uk/get_involved/volunteer/enroll_as_a_volunteer.aspx
By Pam Griffin
