Girl Guiding

Jane Murray, Division Commissioner for Girl Guiding Leeds North East (of which St Edmund's is a part) wrote an article for St Andrew's URC (where she is a member) and has given us permission to reproduce part of her article here.

There have been Units meeting in St Edmund's since 1928. As you may be aware, Girlguding UK celebrates its centenary this year. Many of us have fond memories of our days of being a Rainbow, Brownie or Guide. Moving forward into our second century, here are the key messages that we would like to share with everyone to celebrate.

Guiding provides a unique "girls only" space and has done so for 100 years. This is valued by our members as it gives the girls the chance to be themselves, to do girly things but also they can try the more adventurous activities without having to prove themselves.

Guiding promotes equality and diversity and has done so for 100 years. If you saw the programme "100 Years of Guiding" on BBC4 you will know that guiding ran a school in Edinburgh called "The Trefoil" School which was for children with disabilities before they were able to attend main stream schools.

Guiding gives girls and young women a voice and has done so for 100 years. If it had not been for those first "Girl Scouts" at Crystal Palace in 1909, we might not have been here today standing up for things we are passionate about.

At St Edmund's we have two Rainbow Units for girls aged 5 to 7 which meet on Monday and Wednesday evenings, two Brownie packs for girls aged 7 to 10 which also meet on Monday and Wednesday evenings, two Guide Units for girls aged 10 to 14 which meet on Wednesday and Friday evenings and Rangers for girls aged 14 to17 which meet on Wednesdays. There is the opportunity to do all sorts of things - activities with food, crafts, explorations, caring for our community, discussing peer issues, badge work, camps, environmental issues, games and generally having fun.

Leaders are needed for Wednesday Rainbows and Wednesday and Friday Guides.

We have recently started a Trefoil Guild Group in Roundhay. Many people think that you have to be retired to be in the Guild but you don't - it's for anyone over the age of 18 and the average age of our group is around 45!

© St Edmund's Church, Roundhay