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Girl Guides' centenary celebrated Girl Guides celebrate centenary
(about 7 hours later)
Thousands across the UK are due to celebrate the centenary of the Girl Guiding movement. Thousands of people across the UK are gathering to celebrate the centenary of the Girl Guiding movement.
Over half a million girls and their guests will take part in parties around the country, Girlguiding UK says. More than half a million girls and their guests are taking part in parties, Girlguiding UK said.
Some 8,000 Guides, Brownies and Rainbows are expected to attend an event in Manchester's Heaton Park. About 8,000 Guides, Brownies and Rainbows were gathering at an event in Manchester's Heaton Park.
Around 7,000 are expected at London's Crystal Palace, where a group of girls asked Lord Baden-Powell for their own movement at a Scout rally in 1909. Some 7,000 were due at London's Crystal Palace, where a group of girls asked Lord Robert Baden-Powell for their own movement at a Scout rally in 1909.
A century after the youngsters urged him to offer "something for the girls", Girlguiding UK is going strong. A century after the youngsters urged him to offer "something for the girls", Girlguiding UK said it is still going strong.
One in four eight-year-old girls in the UK is a Brownie and almost half of all British women have been involved at some stage in their lives.One in four eight-year-old girls in the UK is a Brownie and almost half of all British women have been involved at some stage in their lives.
Brownies gathering at Manchester's Heaton Park for the centenary
The movement says it has about 45,000 girls waiting to join.
Liz Burnley, Chief Guide, said the numbers involved showed that the movement remains relevant.
"Over the next 100 years I think our values will stay the same," she said.
"I think our activities will change and the girls will help us to change those activities and help us to remain relevant to the times we are in."
In 1909, Lord Baden-Powell asked his sister Agnes to look after the new organisation.
His wife Olave became involved and, in 1918, she was appointed Chief Guide.
But Girlguiding UK's records show that early critics labelled it a "foolish and pernicious movement" and an "idiotic sport".
Pixie Lott: 'I was a Brownie'Pixie Lott: 'I was a Brownie'
The movement says it currently has around 50,000 girls waiting to join. Sue Lomas, Girlguiding's north-east chief commissioner, said girl guiding played a part in achieving universal suffrage.
Events laid on for girls and adults to mark the centenary celebrations will include zip wires, climbing walls, Bollywood dancing, yoga, creative challenges and large-scale games. "In 1909 women did not even have the vote," she said.
"Guides were part of the change as they wanted to do the adventurous activities the boys were doing.
"Guides acted as runners and after World War II teams went to help rebuild Europe, so we have a long history of being a service to the community."
Events laid on for girls and adults to mark the centenary celebrations in Manchester and London include zip wires, skate boarding, climbing walls, Bollywood dancing, yoga, creative challenges and rugby.
Later a Girlguiding UK Centenary Maze will be unveiled in Crystal Palace Park to mark the anniversary.
Are you or have you been a Girl Guide? Will you be celebrating the centenary? Send us your stories using the form below.Are you or have you been a Girl Guide? Will you be celebrating the centenary? Send us your stories using the form below.
Send your photos or videos of yourself as a Girl Guide to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your photos or videos of yourself as a Girl Guide to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here.
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