Celebrating 50 years of Girlguiding regions
This year is the 50th anniversary of the launch of Girlguiding’s six English regions.
Celebrating 50 years of Girlguiding regions
This year is the 50th anniversary of the launch of Girlguiding’s six English regions.
To celebrate, we asked each region to share their highlights and memories from the past five decades. And they told us what they’ll be doing to mark their birthdays, from time capsules to virtual festivals.
Girlguiding Anglia share members’ memories
This year, Girlguiding Anglia are sharing the amazing experiences guiding has given their members across the years. From camps like Anglia ‘88 to Brownie weekends at Starburst, to adventures at Hautbois, their regional activity centre.
![](https://assets.foleon.com/eu-central-1/de-uploads-7e3kk3/35410/tent.5d5d392bbe03.png?)
‘My best memory from camp was 1,500 Brownies singing Let it go from Disney’s Frozen. It sounded amazing!’
Lynn, Oxfordshire
Celebrate with them
‘We’ve launched a birthday challenge, Buzz about Anglia.
The challenge is designed so all members, however they are currently taking part in guiding, can get involved. Activities and events will take place across the year to inspire and celebrate our amazing members and their achievements. We’ll also be sharing guiding memories on social media throughout the year.’
Girlguiding LaSER remember big Brownie events
Highlights from recent years include three events for 4,000 Brownies at Butlins Bognor Regis in 2006, 2010 and 2014.
The 2014 event was part of the Brownie centenary and it started with a huge Lego birthday cake and disco. Activities over the weekend included beach volleyball, swimming, circus skills and nature walks.
![](https://assets.foleon.com/eu-central-1/de-uploads-7e3kk3/35410/cake.836a67062573.png?)
How they're celebrating
‘Celebrations have already begun with the Festival of LaSER, a virtual festival featuring a weekend of activities and fun. We’ll be releasing a pack of activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary soon, so keep an eye on Girlguiding LaSER's website’
Former and current Girlguiding Midlands commissioners share their highlights
Throughout the 50 years the region has supported leaders to help them take girls abroad on trips such as Jailbreak, Stateside for The Senior Section Centenary, Midlands Mayhem and Le Chateau in France. And some of the region’s former chief commissioners have shared their memories from the last 50 years.
Highlights during Sally Illsley’s time as chief commissioner include Mega Day at Drayton Manor where over 8,000 members had the theme park to themselves. Delia Ronson remembers the region standard being handmade by a small working group with each county commissioner helping with the embroidery. Abi Salter organised Celebrate! 2020 before we went into the first lockdown. The event at Birmingham NEC was the region’s largest indoor World Thinking Day celebration with 14,500 people in attendance plus a service team of 200. Four themed halls meant there was something for everyone from 5 to 95.
![](https://assets.foleon.com/eu-central-1/de-uploads-7e3kk3/35410/smiley.0c4df8a67e61.png?)
Share a smile and celebrate
‘The region’s 2021 World Thinking Day Smile! weekend of online activities was a huge success. And it continues with Share a Smile! A year-long social action campaign.
Motivated by Midlands! is our latest initiative to encourage parents, friends, supporters as well as members to get out and get active, while raising funds for our charity – sign up and join in the fun!’
Girlguiding North East remember the amazing experiences they’ve enjoyed together
Back in 1985 a whopping 60,000 members joined together at The Great Yorkshire Showground to celebrate 75 years of guiding.
The 1996 invasion of York by 800 members of The Senior Section, who slept in the National Railway Museum and tried out a Viking lifestyle, will be long remembered! While in 1997 Princess Margaret visited Gateshead and chatted with many members. And in 2001 almost 4000 members explored Global Footsteps for the World Thinking Day event.
![](https://assets.foleon.com/eu-central-1/de-uploads-7e3kk3/35410/viking.7a98743799a2.png?)
Join the celebrations
‘In the North East we’re celebrating our 50th birthday with a challenge badge, a series of social media spotlights on members and celebrating moments from our archive.
Our region chief commissioner team are also visiting virtual unit meetings across the region.’
Girlguiding North West’s virtual time capsule
To record their birthday year, Girlguiding North West are creating a virtual time capsule. Units have been sending photos, videos, and emails to be stored in a virtual vault, which will be sealed towards the end of the year, only to be opened in half a century’s time by future members!
![](https://assets.foleon.com/eu-central-1/de-uploads-7e3kk3/35410/video.b4e758dd95b7.png?)
How we’re celebrating
‘We’re celebrating with a range of virtual activities all themed around 50. There’s a 50th Birthday Challenge Badge - our region chief commissioners have been taking part as they virtually drop into 50 unit meetings!
We’re also recognising units who are celebrating their 50th year and volunteers who have reached 50 years of service. Later in the year, members will be attempting a Guinness World Record and celebrating with a virtual event.’
Girlguiding South West think back to setting up home in historic Salisbury
A highlight for Girlguiding South West has been the three historic buildings they’ve called home since 1971.
They include a historic house called Ladywell in Salisbury’s famous Cathedral Close and Grade 2 listed St Ann’s Manor – their permanent home since 1996.
![](https://assets.foleon.com/eu-central-1/de-uploads-7e3kk3/35410/50th.46614df6a09b.png?)
Join the challenge
‘To commemorate this special year, we launched a super Golden Anniversary Challenge in January. The challenge offers 50 different activities, from outdoor activities and cooking to crafts and research projects, for all sections and ages.
They cover themes of celebrations, 50, golden, traditions, memories, and counties and islands. The activities are all recorded into anniversary scrapbooks, which will perhaps be seen by Girlguiding members in 50 years’ time!’
Looking to the future
Brownie Liliana from Gloucestershire has imagined what Girlguiding might be like in 50 years with a space suit Brownie uniform and new badges – ‘make a pond on the moon,’ ‘travel to the moon’ and ‘explore new planets’.
There’s even a space teddy that can attach to your suit!
![](https://assets.foleon.com/eu-central-1/de-uploads-7e3kk3/35410/liliana_future_browniejpg.3bd07fcab1d3.jpeg?)
Share these challenges! Use the social media buttons below to share this article with your guiding friends