Capital Jig

Girlguiding London & South East continues the Centenary Celebrations with

Capital Jig in London

The Capital Jig event challenged over 2000 members from London and the South East to attend an event in London, Prague, Paris, Copenhagen or Edinburgh and complete a series of tasks designed to have them running around each city and take in some of its most iconic sights.

On Saturday 24^th October around 800 members of Girlguiding London & South East England took part in a unique Centenary adventure around London.

Visitors to London over the weekend may have seen guiding members in red hats posing with the Lions in Trafalgar Square, discovering what lies in the Turbine Hall at the Tate Modern or getting close to 10 Downing Street. The fun across the city lasted all weekend but the highlight was when all 800 gathered at City Temple in Holborn to take part in a live Eurovision style video link at 5pm with high energy dance and musical performances as well as video clips showing what life is like for the Guides in their host city. All five venues were linked by satellite allowing everyone an opportunity to celebrate together and see everyone enjoying the show in the other cities.

Nathalie Gunn aged 21, performed two songs which were broadcast to all five venues said: "It was a huge honour to be asked to sing, it's such good fun and time-wise it always flies by!"

Sarah aged 13 from 3^rd Horsell Guides said: "I really like London. There is a lot of variety and something for everyone here. We had a tour of the BBC today and I enjoyed seeing behind the scenes."

As well as giving people the opportunity to explore some of London's landmarks, Capital Jig is raising money for the Moorfields Lions Eye Centre in Ghana by asking people to sponsor a jigsaw piece with the aim of creating the Worlds' largest jigsaw puzzle in 2010.

Anne Hudson, London & South East Chief Commissioner, who attended the event said, "Capital Jig is another fantastic example of the huge range of experiences and challenges that members of all ages can get involved with. It was a great day and I saw so many excited girls, young women and adult leaders chatting about the things they had learnt that day and the new skills and memories they will take with them."

The Centenary year is an opportunity to celebrate the impact that the organisation has made on the lives of girls and young women and how modern guiding continues to support over half a million members around the UK to make new friends, develop skills and achieve their full potential in a girl only environment. Throughout the year there will be a range of different activities from outdoor spectaculars to new challenges within group meetings.