Free events and exhibitions at Bristol Record Office

Girls in the Lead: Girlguiding UK100

8 June - 24 September 2010

Anyone who has ever been a Girl Guide or who would like to know about the Girl Guide movement through the past 100 years is invited to take a closer look at a new exhibition, which opened on Tuesday, June 8 at Bristol Record Office. The exhibition has been made possible thanks to Girlguiding Bristol and South Gloucestershire.

The exhibition showcases archives, objects and memorabilia collected over 100 years and is part of national celebrations marking a centenary of girlguiding. It looks at the exciting activities local girls and young women have taken part in over the years.

Thousands of girls and young women from Bristol and South Gloucestershire have been pushing the boundaries, enjoying new experiences and having their voices heard through guiding. The exhibition will show how guiding has always been at the forefront of providing girls with modern and relevant experiences as well as celebrating the achievements of local members from the very beginnings of the movement through to the modern day.

Visitors to the exhibition can expect to learn more about the impact guiding has made on Bristol and South Gloucestershire, including a letter, written by Lord Baden Powell in reply to May Jones of Brislington asking to set up a Girl Scout patrol in 1908.

Joint County Commissioners, Julia Blackmore and Wendy Nicholls commented: "Our centenary celebrations have been enhanced by the opportunity to have this display at the Bristol Record Office.  For 100 years we have been putting girls in the lead and supporting them to have life-changing experiences in a unique girl-only space, whether that is learning out about something new in their weekly meetings or travelling abroad to experience another culture.

"So come along and celebrate with us, you can even find out what guiding can offer today."

The exhibition is part of Girlguiding UK's Centenary celebrations that run from September 2009 to October 2010. For more information about girlguiding, visit www.girlguiding.org.uk

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