Guides to parade before Lord Mayor (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

Guides to parade before Lord Mayor

7:42am Wednesday 14th September 2011 in Your Neighbourhood

It’s not everyone who has the opportunity to be in the prestigious Lord Mayor’s Parade in London watched by thousands lining the route and by millions on TV. However, local Brownies and Guides have that possibility in this year’s Parade when the County of Greater London West is designing and manning a large float on behalf of Girlguiding in London and the South East of England (LaSER).

‘Each year Girlguiding LaSER, which represents over 70,000 members from a UK membership of almost 600,000 - the largest youth organisation in the UK, has a float in the parade and this year it’s our turn to design and man the float with up to 80 girls and leaders in the parade on Saturday 12th November said Christine Wicks – Girlguiding Commissioner for Greater London West.

‘Our County of Greater London West which includes the boroughs of Kingston, Merton, Richmond and Sutton and has a membership of over 6000 girls and leaders. The county also boasts the location (Wimbledon Common windmill) where Lord Baden Powell wrote part of 'Scouting for Boys' - the reason why Scouting and subsequently Guiding started.’ ‘The theme for the float will be ‘10 million members around the world’ indicating the size of Girlguiding globally and depicted on the float by a large globe with people linked around it.

To ensure as many girls as possible can feel a part of the float, even though they may not be in the parade itself, everyone has the opportunity to take part in a special Lord Mayor’s parade challenge to earn a very special and limited edition badge.

Girls are also being encouraged to provide a paper cut-out of their hand which will form part of a peace dove on the float and enable the girls to know they have a ‘hand’ in the float design.’ The parade is run with military precision with floats prepared and driven to London the night before. Final touches and sound systems are added when the floats arrive at London Wall on the morning and where all the participants meet up with their floats.

The weather is a serious consideration for those on the float or walking beside it since it can be cold, wet and windy or bright sunshine on the day, so uniforms are usually supplemented by warm and weatherproof outer garments.

It is hoped that the float will be seen on the extensive BBC live coverage and maybe even an interview as it passes the outside broadcast team usually fronted by Clare Balding, herself an ex Guide.

This float is probably unique in the parade in that it was conceived, designed, paid for and built totally by its members. Some interesting facts about Guiding: Guiding ...

• Provides a unique girl only space • Promotes diversity and equality • Is relevant to today’s girls • Gives girls a voice Did you know ...

• One in four eight year old girls is Brownie • Almost half of all women in the UK have been involved in Guiding at some point in their lives • The worldwide organisation has over 10 million members in 145 countries.

• Adult members and helpers of Guiding in LaSER give 1.5 million voluntary hours a year (the equivalent of 550 full time jobs) to ensure Guiding happens in London and the South east of England and encourage girls and young women to make a difference to their world!

Girlguiding UK is the UK’s largest voluntary organisation for girls and young women, with around 530,000 members and recognised volunteers. Over a third of girls and young women (aged 7-21) in the UK are involved in guiding, or have been in the past and almost half of all the women in the UK have been involved in guiding at some stage in their lives. We run Rainbows (5-7 years), Brownies (7-10 years), Guides (10-14 years) and Senior Section (14-25 years), enabling girls and young women to develop their potential whatever their ability or background. We are striving to offer new opportunities to a broad diversity of communities through our expanding network of over 61,000 trained volunteer Leaders.

At Girlguiding UK we seek to give girls a voice and provide a unique, girl-only space where they feel comfortable just being themselves. Our members, challenged by a girl-led programme that extends beyond badges, enjoy a spectrum of activities from international travel and outdoor adventure to pop-concerts and community action.

Girlguiding UK, part of a worldwide Movement of approximately 10 million girls and young women in 145 countries, celebrated its Centenary in 2010. Registered Charity No 306016 www.girlguiding.org.uk Based on information supplied by Steve Wicks.