One hundred years ago in 1926, the joint birthday (22nd February) of Lord Baden-Powell, founder of the Scout and Guide movements, and his wife Olave, who served as World Chief Guide was chosen by the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) as a day of international friendship. They called the day, Thinking Day. It is an opportunity to celebrate the Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting Movement, speak out on issues that affect young women and fundraise for 11.2 million Girl Guides and Girl Scouts in 153 countries.
A number of members in Sussex Central had begun the celebrations early on Sunday 22nd, by joining other members from all over London and South East Region (LaSER) in a special virtual brunch to celebrate World Thinking Day! They received greetings from the WAGGGS’ five World Centres, based in London (Pax Lodge), Switzerland (Our Chalet), Mexico (Our Cabana), India (Sangam) and Kusafiri (Africa).
In the afternoon, 500 Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers together with their leaders, Trefoil Guild and other volunteers from Sussex Central county gathered together to celebrate 100 years of World Thinking Day at Tanbridge House School in Horsham.
The theme of the event was a whirlwind visit to some of the countries of the five World Centres with a variety of activities:- Bollywood dancing for India, African drumming, making marshmallow snowmen for Switzerland and maracas and Gods Eyes from Mexico.
Each girl made their own Guiding light for the closing ceremony, when everyone joined together to renew their Promise, then as the lights lowered & the ‘candles’ flickered, all sang the traditional guide song ‘This Little Guiding Light Of Mine’.
On leaving, each girl was given a card from another girl, which had been made in advance of the day & a special badge based on the designs submitted by two 1st Hassocks Brownies, a guide from 1st Crawley Down Guides and 1st Felbridge Guides, together with a ranger from Sackville Rangers. Each girl was presented with a goody bag & certificate to acknowledge their contribution.
Before everyone left, Wendy Colson, county commissioner remarked ‘it has been wonderful to see so many of the county celebrating together, on this very special Thinking Day. Walking around during the afternoon I have seen such a lovely atmosphere with lots of laughter and big smiles. The ‘guiding lights’ at the end looked spectacular. I hope that your special badge will be a lasting memory of the event. My thanks go to all the volunteers who arranged the day & those who accompanied their girls to the event’.
For photos from this event, click here
Girlguiding is the leading charity for girls and young women in the UK. We empower girls to find their voice, inspiring them to discover the best in themselves and to make a positive difference in their community. Through fun, friendship, challenge, and adventure, we give girls a space to have fun, build brilliant friendships, gain valuable life skills, and make memories to last a lifetime.
We offer a safe, girl-led space for girls to be themselves, to try new things, and to have adventures.
Girlguiding Central geographically covers Mid Sussex, Crawley and Horsham areas.
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Janet Samuel
Girlguiding Sussex Central Marketing & Communications chair