1st Ryde Brownies celebrate their 100-year Anniversary

The 1st Ryde Brownie Pack, now 1st Ryde Brownie Unit, has recently celebrated its centenary. Formed in September 1919, the Brownies and leaders have joined in special events over the years at Ryde as well as enjoying their regular meetings and outings.

Celebration 100 took the form of a special party with an enormous strawberry and fresh cream cake as well as games, activities and singing.

Arranged by present Brown Owl Sharon Winter there was a display of memorabilia of the unit which included, old books, record books and photographs many depicting the special events and outings the Brownies have undertaken over the years. The party also saw several past Brown Owls and other leaders, families and friends of the unit and one of the IW Council’s councillors for Ryde, Cllr Charles Chapman attending.

With nearly 40 years of volunteering for Girlguiding between them, the past Brown Owls included Liz Tagart, Sandra Ferguson and Judith Day. Liz, became leader in 1983-4 and ran the pack until 1988, when Sandra took over and continued until 1994. She was followed by Judith Day who continued in the a post until 2009. Sharon Winter had been a Brown Owl on the mainland before becoming the leader with 1st Ryde in 2009.

Cllr. Charles Chapman said he was pleased to see all the girls having a fun time, as well as undertaking some of the latest challenges from Girlguiding’s new programme. He joined in the challenges and paid tribute to the Brownies for their continuing support in the Ryde community which includes their Remembrance Garden at All Saints Church.

The girlguiding programme includes six core themes, which are know myself, express myself, be well, have adventures, take action and skills for my future. The themes are consistent throughout the entire age range of girlguiding from rainbows to rangers. All activities are designed to help girls develop in one or more of the themes.