Centenary Launch

5 September 2009
at Shugborough Hall

Guiding has come a long way since then – the movement has travelled all over the globe with 10 million members worldwide and over 500,000 in the UK.

This weekend we kick off our Centenary year of celebrations in style with Launch Parties for members old and new across the UK. 

We took a packed tea, groundsheets, (Leaders took their chairs), signs to say who we were and helium balloons so we could mark where we were in the crowd.

We left Stockton Brook along with Endon on our coaches at 2.30 and arrived nice and early at Shugborough - we were coaches 3, 4 and 5 out of 92, a mammoth task to park. Arriving early meant we could get in as the gates open and sit as close to the stage as we could. Really it was because the Guide Leaders wanted a perfect view of Ian Kelsey. 'Who's he?  we said.... We were more interested in Fake That and Liz McClarnon. Two of our Guides were selected along with 2 Brownies and 2 Rainbows to go to the side of the stage and have their photo taken for a press release with Ian Kelsey and Mr Tickle. Bev and Kayla wanted to know WHY?  they wanted any Leaders on the picture....they would happily volunteer if they got to cuddle up to Ian.

Sitting at the front to the left put us in the perfect position to watch the stage, who was coming on and off and guard the stage door. We went autograph hunting. We also got the chance to buy some memorabilia.

They also played a video of people auditioning for Guides Have Got Talent and we saw Lauren and Phoebee on the big Screen. the Winners got to perform Live on the Stage - wow.

There was a Dance Troop from Stone, then Ian Kelsey came on he was presenting. Then Liz sang some Atomic Kitten songs and some from her new Album, we thought she was great and charged off to get her autograph. then Fake That came on ....they were just as handsome and had all the moves. Then the Tunics who were VERY LOUD. And there was Mr Tickle form C Beebies. The final act was Faryl who sang several songs.

We then saw them bring on a big cake and Liz introduced it as the Leaders came on to light it. We all then had to count up to 100 before a Firework display and lots of bags went off. It was all over and we had to go home.

One of the disadvantages of being first Coach in is that you have to wait for lots to leave before you can. We all had to call our parents on the way back to say we would be an hour late.  Have a look at our photos below......

This page was last updated 06 September 2009