Big Brownie Take Over

The Big Brownie Take Over was all about Brownies showing the world what guiding is all about. All across the UK, units and groups were encouraged to take over all sorts of locations to celebrate the Centenary. These included castles, museums, holiday parks, railways, parks, playgrounds, campsites, theatres, power stations, islands and even venues abroad.

'The best bit about going on holiday with all the Brownies was meeting lots of new friends,' Maise, 9, Westcliff.

Brownies Take Over PGL

PGL, an official partner of Girlguiding, became the official sponsor of the residential Big Brownie Takeover. Throughout the year, hundreds of Brownies took over PGL activity centres in Liddington, Marchants Hill, Dalguise, Preston, Caythorpe, Osmington Bay and Boreatton Park.

At the Take Over events, the girls took part in a variety of on-site activities including climbing, abseiling, high ropes, giant swing, Jacob's ladder, assault course, trampolining, archery, fencing and zip wire. They also took part in a giant campfire, had fun playing games and were treated to fantastic firework displays with a very special Brownie firework at the end.

Brownies Take Over Acorn Adventures

Brownies took over the Royal Oak and Tran Troed Watersports Centres on the shores of Llangorse Lake, which proved to be the perfect location for kayaking, dragon boating, raft-building and land- based activities like crate stacking and orienteering.

Twenty-five Brownies visited Ardres in Northern France to take over another Acorn Adventures site for five days.This was a brilliant international Brownie Take Over, which included luxury lakeside camping and watersports. Brownies and their Leaders had a great time mastering canoeing, dragon boating and fun boats, as well as a full land-based activity programme that included high ropes, archery and fencing.

Two of the Brownies from Yorkshire and Lancashire said to their Leaders at the end of the trip, 'I tried things I'd never done before', and 'I wanted to stay longer!'

Brownies Take Over The Tracks

Brownies travelled on specially chartered steam trains running from Stratford to Birmingham and London Victoria to Windsor. These trains transported the Brownies through scenic locations to enjoy adventure upon arrival. These events were supported by Vintage Railways.

In addition to these events, Heritage Railways created other steam train journeys for groups in other locations.

Brownies Take Over Girlguiding Training and Activity Centres

Brownies had the opportunity to take over all of the Girlguiding Training and Activity Centres during the Centenary year.

Blackland Farm offered a safari-themed weekend where Brownies were given the opportunity to meet reptiles, creepy crawlies and birds of prey. They were encouraged to climb and crawl like monkeys and meerkats on the assault course.

The circus came to Broneirion! Brownies enjoyed taking over Broneirion with a range of themed activities, including circus skills.

Foxlease held several events for Brownies over the Centenary year. The first was Autumn Woodland Adventures, where participants tried their hand at nature-related activities including geocaching, willow weaving, bat and bird-box making, deer watching and a bird of prey display.

Winter Wonderland was next with 350 Brownies taking part in ice skating and enjoying reindeer-pulled sledge rides. The girls also visited Santa’s Grotto and enjoyed a big Christmas party with lots of games and a huge Christmas dinner.

In the Spring, March Madness transformed Foxlease into wonderland with Alice and her friends joining the Brownies for a Mad Hatter’s tea party. The girls got to play flamingo croquet, Alice archery and made their own scrumptious jam tarts.  

Brownies experienced a 'Go Green' theme at Great Hautbois House, in Norfolk, while visiting Bewilderwood’s treehouse adventure park. The girls slept indoors and out, built their own accommodation and took part in all the exciting outdoor challenges on offer - zip wire, archery, climbing, abseiling and watersports.

ICANDO was taken over by Brownies five times during the Centenary year. The five events were Bonfire Spectacular, Chinese New Year, Easter Art, Trooping the Colour and Summer Festival. Over 200 Brownies attended these weekends and took part in activities based on the theme of their adventure.

The Bonfire Spectacular included making toffee apples and chocolate sparklers, as well as a trip to the local fireworks display. Chinese New Year involved performing a chinese dragon dance in a dragon made by participants, plus a visit to London’s China Town for Chinese food.

At Easter Art Brownies took part in an art workshop at the National Art Gallery and played Easter games in the park. During June's Trooping the Colour event, Brownies were allowed to watch the ceremony from the Mall and enjoyed a trip on the world-famous London Eye.

Girlguiding Ulster hosted a Brownie Take Over at Lorne in the form of a water-themed residential event with a fun day in the middle. Brownies went wading in the water of the Lorne river, splashed their way down the slippery slide and scaled the dizzy heights of the cube course. They also had time to relax and took a train along the coastal route to Bangor.

Netherurd was taken over by more than 120 Brownies for a ‘Brownie Wishes’-themed weekend. Brownies from across Scotland took part in activities such as archery, dancing, treasure trail, mini-sports, ropes course, zip wire and canoeing. They were also treated to a brilliant evening of entertainment, including a campfire and a magician.

Waddow organised several events for Brownies throughout the Centenary. All Aboard for Christmas saw Brownies visiting the Santa train at Preston Docks and going to see a pantomime. Brownies also took over the seaside at Blackpool Blitz in May 2010. Over 850 Brownies took part in this event, not only taking over the entire beach, but visiting Blackpool Tower, the Tower Circus and the aquarium.