This year, on Friday 29 March 2019, the 5th Enfield Guides turned 100 years old. To mark the occasion, we hosted several events for all units in our district, as well as the local community!
5th Enfield Guides turn 100!
Written by Rachel Price, assistant leader, 5th Enfield Guides
Our first event was a 100-year themed quiz night where we aimed to raise money to subsidise our celebrations over the year. We had special 100 themed questions and treated our guests to homemade cakes and decorations, alongside an extra special raffle that included some generous donations from the businesses of Enfield. In total, we raised over £1000 that evening, which allowed us to host two more successful events!
On Friday 29 March, the birthday itself, we celebrated with a huge party attended by over 100 children and young adults from Girlguiding and Scout units across Enfield. We had inflatables, giant games, a popcorn and candy floss machine, a professional photographer and photo booth, pizza, sweets, cake and a DJ to keep everyone happy and entertained. After this, our Guides had a sleepover in the hall... a night they truly will never forget!
After this came our biggest event yet: an open day for all ex-Guides who had ever been part of the 5th Enfield unit. For months, we traced back to find old members to contact while spending our unit meetings designing invites, posters, banners, themes, badges and cakes.
As a unit, everyone played a part in putting the day together and it couldn't have gone better!
We started with welcome drinks followed by afternoon tea, which led into an old-fashioned sports day and a game of bingo. We rounded the day off with a camp fire - how else? It was lovely to meet ex-guiders who had been part of the unit almost 60 years ago! Some visitors also brought down memorabilia from over the years which made everyone feel very nostalgic, as well as extremely proud of having been a part of such a great history with the 5th Enfield Guides.
Here's what some of our current Guides have to say about the unit:
I enjoy the connection that we have between us at Guides and the kindness we share upon our friendship. Guides allows girls to have fun and enjoy the company of each other. Happiness is filled through the room as interesting activities take place.
I love Guides due to the huge sense of community and belonging that is rare for a group activity in this day and age.
The 100th birthday party was the best party I had ever been to! Looking at the guiding memorabilia was great and the food was delicious. The races felt like true guiding: inventive and a lot of fun!
It really has been a great year for the 5th Enfield Guides and we can't thank the leaders, unit helpers, parents and Guides past, present and future for all the support they have given us. The celebrations and well wishes we have received have surpassed all expectations and we look forward to what the next 100 years bring.
If you would like to contact us for any information regarding volunteering at the unit or if you have a daughter who may wish to start, please email guides5thenfield@hotmail.co.uk.
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