100 years of girlguiding

The first arrivals at the party

The first arrivals at the party

Tonight, Friday 4 September, I’m at the Leas Cliff Hall in Folkestone with the Brownies for their Folkestone Centenary Launch Party.

Shepway is supporting the event by giving free use of the Leas Cliff Hall for the party and what a party it is.  Around 300 girls are dressed in their best party frocks and dancing in the dry ice and disco lights.  I can’t recall ever seeing quite so much energy and excitement in one place.

The most senior guide receives a presentation

The most senior guide receives a presentation

The event starts with a tale told of the history of girlguiding and there’s a presentation to the most senior guide present, Joan Hamlyn and the youngest, Joan Hamlyn.  Joan tells me that she first joined in 1935.

The presentations out of the way and it’s on with the party.  A giant conga fills the hall, then the hokey cokey and then ‘question time’ where the girls have to touch the quizmasters foot and then answer a question about the girl guides.  Councillor Peter Gane is seated next to me and appears to know all the answers.  Was he ever a girl guide I wonder.

Several other councillors are on hand to join in the fun and a special mention should go to Counciilor Carole Waters and Andrea who led the work for this event from Shepway.  Councillor George Bunting also joins the event and later on I spot Councillor Tom McNeice in the gallery.

The Shepway contingent - Andrea, Cllr Carole Waters, Cllr Susan Carey, Cllr Bunting and Cllr Peter Gane

The Shepway contingent - Andrea, Cllr Carole Waters, Cllr Susan Carey, Cllr Bunting and Cllr Peter Gane

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