Two Brownies from Shetland had a once-in-a-lifetime day out at a tea party on the lawns of Buckingham Palace yesterday.
Kirsty Porter, 8, from Symbister, and 10-year-old Rhiannon May Taylor, from Weisdale, were chosen to be included in the guest list of 50 Brownies from all over the UK, to celebrate the organisation’s centenary.
Their mums, Doreen Porter, and Sharon Taylor, joined them on the long journey to the Big Brownie Birthday Party, hosted by the Countess of Wessex and tennis star, Laura Robson, who served tips to the girls.
As well as being Girlguiding president, the countess is a Brownie’s mum, with Lady Louise Windsor regularly attending sessions.
The Shetland girls told the countess all about the various challenges they have been taking on, as part of the centenary celebrations, from carrying out acts of kindness to rafting rock-climbing
Mrs Taylor said: “Rhiannon has developed new friends at Brownies who don’t go to the same school as her, and her confidence has grown so much with all the exiting things they do at Brownies – like sleepovers. I also volunteer as a Brownie helper.”
Rhiannon added: “I really love working on badges and playing games – sleepovers are great because I can enjoy myself with my friends.”
Her friend, Kirsty, agreed, saying: “I like all the different activities and days out, trying new things and learning new hobbies.”
Kirsty’s mum, Doreen, added: “The Brownies has made Kirsty so much more creative and she loves to come home and continue with whatever has been happening at Brownies, like writing poems, baking and drawing”
Girls throughout the country are celebrating The Big Brownie Birthday by tackling challenges big and small, and the Girlguiding organisation is encouraging others to join up.
Ms Robson said: ‘Brownies is a massive part of the life of hundreds of thousands of girls and volunteers all over the UK – so I am proud that I got to join in their 100th birthday celebrations.”
Visit www.girlguiding.org.uk for more details.