Girlguiding members from Bexhill kick-started their Division centenary celebration by, transporting themselves back through the years at Bexhill Museum, to mark World Thinking Day.
Every year over 10 million Girl Guides and Girl Scouts worldwide celebrate being part of the special international movement on the 22nd of February. This date was chosen in 1926 as it was the joint birthday of Lord Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the scout and guide movement, and his wife Lady Olave Baden-Powell, the first Chief Guide.
As part of their Thinking Day festivities, Rainbows, Brownies and Guides took part in a Girlguiding themed treasure hunt, searching for badges and uniforms throughout Guiding history, and pictures of Guiding world centres around the museum, among the interesting exhibits in the different galleries. The girls had the chance to see previous Girlguiding uniforms and accessories on display, and to learn how to tie a neckerchief tie like Brownies and Guides did as far back as the 1920’s. They also enjoyed making their own 1920’s style headband.
Bexhill Trefoil Guild, a group for adults in Girlguiding, met days before to celebrate Thinking Day. They looked back on the history of Girlguiding in Bexhill; members efforts during the wars, notable volunteers, special events, world camps and special awards received by individuals.
Although Girlguiding has been in Bexhill since 1912, the 1st Bexhill Guides company opened in October that year at St Barnabas Girls School, local members were part of Rye Division until 1925 when Bexhill’s Division was formed. Between 1916-1918 Lady Baden-Powell was Rye Division Commissioner (of which Bexhill was part) and Sussex County Commissioner. She became Britain’s Chief Guide in 1918.
Bexhill’s first Brownie unit, for girls aged 7-10, opened in 1923, and their first Rainbow unit opened in 1990 for girls aged 5-7. Between 1948 and 1952 their Division Commissioner was Miss Violet Synge, who previously formed the 1st Buckingham Palace Guide Company, of which Queen Elizabeth (then Princess Elizabeth) and Princess Margaret attended, with other children of members of the Royal Household and Palace employees.
In 2023 Girlguiding Bexhill celebrated the 50th anniversary of their London Road Headquarters, that stands on the site of the original purposely created Guide
Headquarters, built in 1922. St Barnabas Girls School was kindly lent for use as the first Bexhill Headquarters by Reverend Mortlock in 1912.
Today Bexhill Division has over 120 young members, supported and encouraged weekly by Girlguiding volunteers. Their centenary celebrations will continue through the year, a special Division camp is due to be held this summer, and girls have also been invited to design a special commemorative badge.
If you would like to register your daughter at a unit in Bexhill or you are interested in volunteering, please visit www.girlguiding.org.uk.
Girlguiding Bexhill would love to hear your Girlguiding memories. Bexhill Museum have kindly agreed to collect them from visitors, or you can email [email protected]
Bexhill Girlguiding Division are very grateful to the museum for their continued support.