Centenary Launch
On the weekend of
5-6 September 2009, hundreds of thousands of Girlguiding UK members
celebrated in style as they collectively launched the beginning of
our Centenary celebrations.
The date was chosen because on that weekend
exactly 100 years earlier, a small group of courageous girls had
stepped forward at the 1909 Boy Scouts Rally in Crystal Palace Park
and asked its founder, Robert Baden-Powell, for ‘something for
the girls’. Guiding has come a long way since then – the
movement has travelled all over the globe with over 10 million
members worldwide and around half a million in the UK.
All over the UK, members were invited to attend a
locally-organised Centenary Launch Party and bring along past
members to join in the fun. Party-goers were treated to circus
skills, outdoor adventures and performing arts workshops among many
other activities.
'I love that this event was about
getting all of us together. I met new people and had a chance to
catch up with some old friends.' Alice, 15, Young Leader
with 1st Watling Rainbows.
Girlguiding UK also organised a special Launch Party at Crystal
Palace Park.
More than 6,000 Girlguiding UK members attended the event. The
day culminated in a lively stage show featuring local bands and a
steel orchestra before a spectacular firework finale. Also on this
day, the Chief Guide, Liz Burnley, together with 40 Brownies and
Guides, officially opened the Girlguiding UK
Centenary Maze in Crystal Palace Park.
'Our launch weekend really was a chance to
show everyone just what opportunities are open to girls through
guiding and how much they enjoy themselves. It’s a great place to
make friends and to take part in hundreds of modern and relevant
activities.' Diane Holohan, Launch Event Organiser, West
Glamorgan.