If you haven't already heard this year is a very special year for Girl Guiding UK. Girls and women all over the country will spend a year celebrating 100 years of Guiding.   Celebrations began in Coatbridge in September 2009 with a fantastic Centenary Launch Weekend called 'Sparkle'.

This, like the Centenary itself, was a once in a lifetime opportunity and brought together girls, young women and adults from all over Coatbridge for a weekend of celebrations.

The Senior Section (for girls between 14-25) event started at Academy Salon, Academy Street on Friday 4th September and finishing at St Andrews Church Hall on Saturday 5th September. This event included a hair and facial session, pizza, a trip to the cinema, overnight stay at St Andrews Church Hall and a Centenary brunch on Saturday morning. Every girl who attended had the chance to bring a guest. The guest was someone who had previously made the guiding promise, but is no longer involved in the movement. In some cases it was a friend who was a Rainbow, Brownie or Guide or a mum, grandmother, aunty or sister. Our very own young leader Emily was invited to this event she had a fantastic time but will not share the goody bag which was full of beauty goods from Boots.

The Rainbow Sparkle Party was held in St Andrews High School, Old Monkland Road on Saturday 5th September.  Giggles the Clown provided the girls with 'Sparkling fun and games'. The girls enjoyed party songs, dancing and magic tricks with Giggles. We had lots of participation from the girls and also the guiders.  There was a break for party snacks when all girls were provided with a party bag. Thanks to the Lady's of the LA who helped make up the bags of snacks.

The Brownie Party was held in St Andrews High School, Old Monkland Road on Saturday 5th September. Clyde Built a professional Puppet Theatre provided the girls with 'A Sparkling Afternoon at the Theatre'. The puppet show was broken into three stories which had serious messages behind them. All of them were very relevant to the guiding promise and law. After a break for party snacks when everyone was provided with a party bag, there was also a 'Singalonga Brownies' led by a local guider and ably assisted by our very own guider Laura. Every girl who attended had the opportunity to bring a guest.  Like the Senior Section, this was someone who had previously made the guiding promise, but is no longer involved in the movement. Again, it was a friend who was a Rainbow, Brownie or Guide or a mum, grandmother, aunty or sister. Lots of the mums were under strict instructions not to embarrass the girls or they would be sent home straight away!

The Guide Party started at the Hollywood Bowl on Saturday 5th September. The girls enjoyed bowling and a meal at Hollywood Bowl then afterwards WALKED to Old Monkland Church Hall where we partied the night away with a 'Sparkles Disco'. We also had some face painting and a tuck shop. A Photo pin board was also available where the girls had the opportunity to take pictures of each other at the party which will be uploaded to Girl Guiding UK's pin board so the girls can view all the Launch parties all over the UK. The highlight of the night was the balloon drop which happened at the end of the night to our favourite Scottish Song Loch Lomond. Thanks very much to Billy and Ian who assisted putting all the balloons in the net and the practice drops the night before. We would also like to thank Billy and Tom for showing the support of the church on the night by acting as security on the doors. 
 
Last but not least the Guider and LA party was held in St Monica's Parochial Hall, Sharp Avenue on Sunday 6th September.  Afternoon tea was served and together with live music we had a 'Sparkling Afternoon Tea Party'. This was a well deserved relaxing event for the guiders. (Well, in most cases it was!) Laura and Jillian were 'asked' to learn and perform the Scottish Centenary Dance in less than 30 minutes. As usual, the guiders pulled it together and it all came together in the end.

All of the events were completely free of charge for all attending, as Division Fundraising that had been taking place since March 2008 covered all costs for the Launch Parties. We would like to thank all of those who contributed to the fantastic fundraising which helped cover all the costs. The girls would like to say a massive thank you to the Centenary Team who organised all the events some of which were our very own guiders from 13th.

Jillian