In 1910 the first group of Guides was formed by Lord Robert Baden-Powell. The girls had turned up at the first Boy Scout Rally at Crystal Palace the previous year as they were interested in joining in with the activities the boys were doing. Lord Baden-Powell asked his younger sister, Agnes, to look after the girls while he looked after the boys, and the Guide Association was formed.
In a book by Rose Kerr on the history of the organisation, it reveals that people were concerned by the advent of Girl Guiding because they believed it would turn girls into "immodest, impolite tomboys", but Agnes Baden-Powell's character helped reassure the critics and by April 1910 the orgaisation had 6,000 girls registered as members.
Guiding During the First and Second World Wars
The early Girl Guides were quickly able to prove how versatile and useful they could be when war broke out. During the First World War the organisation introduced a War Service Badge and Guides were called into service to act as messengers for Marconi Wireless Telegraphs.
When peace was declared Guides were again called on to act as messengers, this time in Versailles for the signing of the Peace Treaty.
During the Second World War the British Government called on the services of the Girl Guides as well, and at the request of the Ministry of Food members demonstrated ‘blitz cooking’ and made emergency fireplaces from the bricks of bombed houses.
Royal Connections
Girl Guiding has long had connections with the British royal family. In 1917 Princess Mary took over from Agnes Baden-Powell as president of the organisation, and in 1937, when Princess Elizabeth (now Queen Elizabeth II) became a Guide and Princess Margaret a Brownie, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother became the movement's patron.
As of 2003 HRH The Countess of Wessex has been the president of Girlguiding UK, continuing the royal connection with the association.
Guiding in Recent Years
Guiding is now an international movement with millions of members worldwide. In 2009-2010 Girlguiding UK celebrated its centenary year with parties across the UK for the country's half a million members.
As more members join, the challenge for the organisation is now to encourage more leaders to help run the groups and make it possible for more young women to enjoy the guiding experience.
More information on the organisation is available from its worldwide website and at the website of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS).
References
- Kerr, Rose (1976) Story of the Girl Guides 1908-1938. Published in London by the Girl Guides Association
Pam Griffin - Pam Griffin is a journalist working in Shropshire, UK. She is interested in first aid, singing and playing music, history, and ...
