Girlguiding UK Centenary Camp, August 2010

by Frances Southern-Cox, Thursday, 12th August 2010

In addition to being a member of Wigan Thistle Society, I am also a member of Girlguiding UK. It is in this role that I felt it appropriate to share with you a wonderful event that I was privileged to be a part of in the Centenary Year of Guiding.

To celebrate the Centenary, Girlguiding UK's largest ever Guide camp was held in the beautiful grounds of Harewood House in Leeds, home of the Earl of Harewood. It was also the home of his mother HRH Princess Mary, The Princess Royal, who became President of The Girl Guide Association in 1920.

This was an international event with approximately 5,000 Guides & Girl scouts attending from more than 50 countries from all over the world.

Guides took part in very moving and inspirational opening and closing ceremonies. Numerous activities were organised all over Yorkshire for the Guides to take part in. Climbing, Caving, Walking, Visits to Museums. Heritage Activities, Water Sports and even Snow Tubing with real snow being brought onto the campsite. Some of our Caribbean guiding friends had the opportunity to see, touch, and play with real snow for the first time in their lives.

International contingents joined with groups from the UK to provide entertainment in the evenings which reflected their local culture; followed by Disco's and the Camp Factor (X Factor at Camp).

A spectacular event was held mid-week where a further 20,000 Guiding people came to watch and join in with the outdoor performing arts festival. Acts from all over Europe provided a wide range of entertainment including the National Scout & Guide Orchestra who performed the “Centenary Fantasia�, composed by Rodney Newton, to celebrate 100 years of guiding.

The whole event was remarkable; to see the friendships made between the Guides was in itself an incredible experience, forging special memories that will last a lifetime.

Frances Southern-Cox
The Thistle Society Wigan