Guides, Brownies and Rainbows repledge their vows on the beach at Broadstairs

by Martin Jefferies

mjefferies@thekmgroup.co.uk

Brownies, Rainbows and Guides filled a Broadstairs beach on Saturday (September 19), as the district celebrated Girlguiding UK's centenary year.

Around 140 youngsters, leaders and helpers walked from Botany Bay to Viking Bay, where promises were renewed around a giant trefoil - the movement's distinctive symbol - crafted by sand sculptor Ruth Cutler of Thanet Coast Project.

It was just one of several events taking place across east Kent last weekend, as members walked the boundaries of their respective districts.

Sue Hunt, assistant district commissioner, said: "Everyone in the area renewed their promise at the same time which was quite an undertaking.

"It was good for the girls to get together and plenty of people around Broadstairs were wondering what we were up to!"

Guiding started in 1909, when a small group of girls stepped forward at the Boy Scouts Rally at Crystal Palace Park to demand "something for the girls" from the Scouts' founder, Robert Baden-Powell.

The movement now has 10 million members worldwide, with more than 500,000 in the UK alone. Events marking its 100th anniversary continue until October 2010.

Brownie, Rainbow and Guide units across the area desperately need extra volunteers to help at meetings and events. For more information, telephone Sue on 07966 081161 or visitwww.girlguiding.org.uk.