Girlguiding UK launched the Centenary year during the weekend of 5th and 6th September 2009. This was the date of the Boy Scout Rally at Crystal Palace in 1909 where a group of girls turned up uninvited! They had dressed themselves in borrowed Boy Scout uniform and begged Robert Baden-Powell to do something for the girls! From his encounter with these brave, pioneering young women the Girl Guides came into being early in 1910, and the rest is history…….!
In Angus the launch of the Centenary was celebrated in various ways. The Rainbows and Brownies held launch parties in their districts or towns, they played games, enjoyed crafts, danced and sang, sang happy birthday and blew out candles on cakes.
In Arbroath the girls held a disco where many excited girls danced the night away and enjoyed a fantastic birthday cake, decorated with the Centenary ‘sparkle’ design.
In Montrose a party was held where all the girls enjoyed juggling, nail painting, decorating tee-shirts, singing and eating cake!
Brechin and Edzell held a party in Edzell and were joined by many past members of the movement who enjoyed seeing what the girls get up to today and were pleased to join the fun and games.
The girls in Forfar enjoyed a massive party in the Academy which involved lots of noisy fun, and of course a centenary cake.
Carnoustie were joined by the girls from Monikie for a launch party and the Kirriemuir districts joined together for larger parties where a lot of fun was had by everyone involved.
The Guides, Senior Section girls and all the adults were invited to a Launch party held at Ladenford Den where the launch of the centenary year was celebrated in style. A barbeque, a bouncy castle, jousting, a fire eater, circus skills from a clown, face painting and crafts were on offer and everyone enjoyed the many and varied activities on offer. In fact it was difficult to drag some of them away for the camp fire at the end of the afternoon. During the camp fire, wish lanterns were launched with our good wishes and hopes for the coming year. They were quite a sight to see, drifting over the darkening countryside, with the moon shining down on the scene. And after cutting and eating the spectacular centenary cake, the evening finished with a bang with a magnificent firework display. A fantastic occasion, one that will be remembered for a long time, and surely a mountain-top moment to treasure!!
