Rainbows, Brownies and Guides celebrate Thinking Day with activities in Sidmouth

SOME 72 Rainbows, Brownies and Guides from Sidmouth, Sidford and Newton Poppleford, gathered in Woolbrook to celebrate Thinking Day on Sunday.

Ten million guides and guiders around the world mark the birthday of their founders, Lord and Lady Baden-Powell, this year focusing on the Commonwealth.

The girls gathered at St Francis church hall, Woolbrook, for the event, and said guider Lorna Beard: “Each one shared a flag they had made, information and themed activities from their chosen country, which every girl had time to participate in.

“These ranged from Aboriginal masks from Australia, decorating biscuits with maple leaves from Canada, animal bookmarks from Kenya, making fish and jellyfish from Jamaica, creating henna hand designs from India and making rain shakers from Zambia.”

As well as renewing their guiding promise, candles were lit to think of guides around the world and the Queen in her jubilee year.

The afternoon ended with the singing of songs from their chosen six countries.

On Saturday, March 24, 1st Sidmouth Guides, with help from the Trefoil Group and other guiding units, will meet at The Byes, Sidmouth, with wellies and spades, to plant 420 trees.

They have been chosen to receive a pack of trees from the Woodland Trust, which is donating millions of trees to be planted around the UK as part of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

Lorna said: “The Byes is an integral part of the guiding life and during the summer months is regularly used by the Guides and Brownies at Lawn Vista for outdoor activities and so we are thrilled to be able to take part in giving back a lasting legacy to this beautiful spot.”

On Saturday, March 31, 1st Sidmouth Guides will hold a massive Spring Fayre with a children’s Easter Egg Hunt.

Starting at 2pm in the Guide Hall, Lawn Vista, there will be refreshments, cake stall, games and a prize draw, with prizes donated by local shops and businesses.