Celebrated since 1926, World Thinking Day is a day of international friendship. It is an opportunity to celebrate the Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting Movement, speak out on issues that affect young women and fundraise for 11.2 million Girl Guides and Girl Scouts in 153 countries. In 1926, delegates at the 4th World Conference agreed that 22nd February would be known as a special day for Girl Guides and Girl Scouts all over the world.
This year, members are celebrating ‘Friendship’ and the bonds that grow and flourish within Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting; exploring what makes a healthy friendship and the importance of community, both within the Girlguiding Movement and beyond.
Girlguiding Ayrshire South marked the historic occasion with a spectacular lantern parade through Ayr Town Centre. The idea to run this event came from Assistant County Commissioner and Girvan Guide Leader – Sharon Adams.
Units across the County took part in lantern making workshops with support from CRAG Community Arts and a team of leaders who trained to deliver the workshops!
This incredible record breaking feat resulted in well over 800 Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, Rangers and leaders gathering at Ayr Central Shopping Centre and parading down Ayr High Street, up the Sandgate and into Wellington Square. 1st Crosshill Rangers also had the very exciting opportunity to carry four huge lanterns created by talented artists at CRAG Community Arts – representing Guiding uniforms from over the years!
Each lantern carried represented a connection – a reminder that no one walks alone in Girlguiding.
Sharon, who led on the event said: “Friendship is at the heart of Girlguiding – the friendships we make in our units, across our county, and with our Guiding sisters around the world. Even though we may live in different places and have different experiences, we are united by kindness, respect, and the promise we make as members of Girlguiding. Together, we shine brighter, stronger, and kinder, showing that friendship has the power to light up our communities and the world. ”
Once arriving at Wellington Square, the lovely voice of Mauchline District’’s Janice Taylor led the group for a couple of songs. Afterwards, the Scottish Chief Commissioner, Elaine, led everyone to renew the Guiding promise as the flag of the World Association of Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting waved proudly behind the stage.
The event wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the funders: Destination South Ayrshire, Carrick Futures, The Arnold Clark Community Fund, The Co-op, The Good Guiding Fund, and Ayrshire Housing.
Thanks go to GAB Audio Engineers for their unwavering support to the county, as well as the band of amazing volunteer stewards made up of partners, family, colleagues and friends. Thanks also go to Police Scotland for advice and support, as well as New Dawn Facilities Management, and Carrick First Responders for all their help on the day.
The team would also like to thank Ayr Central Shopping Centre and South Ayrshire Council for use of their spaces, Land Energy for fuelling the campfires and Biosphere Bikes for the use of the amazing e-trike!
Scottish Chief Commissioner, Elaine Rough, said: ‘’Girlguiding Ayrshire South’s Thinking Day lantern procession was a truly uplifting and meaningful event, bringing the membership together and reminding us of the positive impact guiding continues to have on young people across the world. Well done to the team for creating such a warm, inspiring celebration of World Thinking Day”
Ayrshire South County Commissioner, Elin Marsh said: “I would like to say a massive thank you to the volunteer leaders who work with the girls every week to enable them to realise girls can do anything. A huge thank you must go to Sharon Adams and Claire Bryan, supported by Pam Gray and Janis Meredith who have done an absolutely amazing job organising every single detail of today’s event. Their hard work has truly brought this celebration to life. We are so lucky to have such dedicated leaders who put so much heart into everything they do.
We were honoured to welcome our dignitaries Siobhian Brown MSP, Sharon Dowey MSP and Mary Kilpatrick, Depute Provost. We are grateful for them taking the time to join us and for showing their support for an organisation that empowers and supports girls all over the world. Thinking Day reminds us that though we may be far apart, we are always connected. Thank you to Elaine Rough, our Chief Commissioner for Girlguiding Scotland, who lead us all as we renewed our promises together.’’
Read more about World Thinking Day here: https://www.girlguiding.org.uk/what-we-do/events-and-opportunities/events/world-thinking-day/
For more information about Girlguiding in South Ayrshire, visit www.girlguidingayrshiresouth.org.uk
