THROUGHOUT 2014, Brownie units from across Wyre Forest will be celebrating the organisation’s 100th anniversary.

Brownies, originally named Rosebuds, are part of the UK’s largest organisation for girls and young women with around 550,000 Girl Guiding members worldwide.

Beth Clifford, 48, Brownie Leader at St John’s pack in Kidderminster says: “We have a lot planned for the Big Brownie Birthday this year.”

The centenary celebrations kicked off at Kidderminster Town Hall on January 24 with a launch party, where the town’s Brownie units were in attendance.

“We had some quizzes about the history of Brownies. We played party games and had a massive conga. We also sung happy birthday to the Brownies with a cake. It was a very fun night.”

Mrs Clifford, who has been involved with Brownies for 24 years, spoke of the forthcoming events marking this momentous occasion.

“At the beginning of April there will be a big sleepover in Malvern for all the Worcestershire Brownies to take part in. It’s going to be huge,” she says.

An Activity Day will also take place in May at the Top Barn Farm centre near Worcester: “Worcestershire Brownies will be treated to a whole day of fun activities. It gives them a chance to make new friends and socialise with lots of different Brownie units,” says Mrs Clifford.

“On June 21 is our Star Quest, which is a challenge for the Brownies to achieve a badge. Apparently the stars are lost from New Zealand’s flag and they’ve got to try and find them.”

The Big Brownie Birthday celebrations will finish at the end of the summer holidays with a finale event, currently being organised.

The Kidderminster Brownie Leader says that throughout the birthday bash, there will be a challenge to achieve a commemorative badge.

“The girls have to complete a certain number of tasks before the finale event to receive the special Big Brownie Birthday Challenge Badge,” she says.

During their special year, Brownie units will continue their weekly routine with their usual activities.

She says: “We do a variety of activities. It can be games with a purpose, some weeks we do crafts, other weeks we work on the badges. In the summer we go out if the weather’s nice, up to Rhydd Covert to do the climbing wall.”

She adds: “We’re always in need of helpers and, of course, Brownies!”

If you want to volunteer as a Brownie helper or register your daughter aged 7-11, visit www.girlguiding.org.uk/get_involved

  • Next week Abbey Hartley talks to a Stourport woman who has been involved with the Brownies for more than half a century.