Girlguiding Moray members celebrate World Thinking Day at Elgin Town Hall
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MEMBERS of Girlguiding Moray from all corners of the county gathered together in Elgin Town Hall on Sunday to celebrate World Thinking Day.
World Thinking Day, celebrated annually on February 22, is an important date in the Girlguiding calender – and that was shown by the 650 in attendance on the day.
The day provides a chance for members of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) to connect with 10 million members in 145 countries globally.
Girlguiding Moray county commissioner Louise Winder said: "I'm thrilled to see so many of our members coming together and having such a great afternoon.
"I'm incredibly proud of the organising team, who did a fantastic job."
The theme for Sunday's event at Elgin Town Hall was 'friendship'. The girls in attendance played Friendship Bingo, coloured in hand shapes and wrote messages of support for the victims of recent earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.
Hands – which also included messages to those involved in conflicts – were then attached to 'friendship trees'.
After enacting the Thinking Day story by taking part in an action game, girls made a friendship chain to show that they are stronger together.
After renewing their Rainbow, Brownie, Guide and Adult promises, everyone exchanged friendship bracelets with friends they made on the day.
They then placed shiny coins on a Trefoil-shaped template as a donation to the World Thinking Day Fund.
This fund supports the work of WAGGGS and, since 1932, has enabled girls across the world to expand their horizons, raise their voices and take on incredible challenges.
The afternoon concluded with some of the girls' favourite campfire songs.
Janet McDonald, a leader in Buckie, said: "It was fantastic to see so many of our young members come together to celebrate Thinking Day with lots of friendship activities.
"Lots of effort goes into events like this and I would like to thank the planning team for all their help. It was lovely to read so many comments from parents about how much their girls enjoyed the day."
Sarah Renton, a leader with Forres Guides, added: "It was an absolutely brilliant afternoon and the organisers should be proud of themselves."
Thinking Day has been celebrated on the birthday of both Lord Robert Baden-Powell and wife Olava since 1926 – updating its name to add the word 'World' in 1999.
