Should we be wearing uniform? Girlguiding is a uniformed organisation. That means uniform is - give or take specific circumstances - non-optional. Look, it's a pretty practical uniform. I compare our hoodies and softshells to the Scouts. Yeah, they look nice and smart in their shirts but they don't have a lot in the way... Continue Reading →

I mentioned neckerchiefs in yesterday's posts and I thought I'd expand on the subject a bit. Neckerchiefs were a standard bit of uniform for a very long time. They were smart but they were also practical - you could whip it off and use it as a bandage or a sling, you could filter water... Continue Reading →

This is one that will depend on your area but broadly yes, Brownies, Guides, Rangers and adults do go to Remembrance Parade and they go in their uniform, all smart and wearing a poppy. If you're a village unit and your village doesn't have a parade or service, your nearest town will and the best... Continue Reading →

This is one of those questions where the answer is both yes and no. No, we don't pledge or swear allegiance in Girlguiding. We make a Promise and part of that Promise is to serve the Queen or King. Certainly in future, if anyone makes or renews their Promise, they will now promise "to serve... Continue Reading →

This is apparently a question new leaders have, especially if they're walking into a unit that doesn't already have a leader to show them the ropes. I love Promise ceremonies, it's such a special moment. The important bits are that the person making their Promise does so and that they get the badge. Everything else... Continue Reading →

You do not want to hear the noise my district commisioner and treasurer would make if they heard that I was giving advice on accounts and yet here I go. The absolute worst bit about Girlguiding, the thing that's driven me out of Rangers! If you do Module 4 of your ALQ, you have to... Continue Reading →

If you’re new to Guiding (or presumably Scouting), you may have noticed that lots of the adults go by weird names. How do you get one of those? Well, that depends on the unit and the existing leaders and what they’ve established. Sometimes the leaders pick the names. Sometimes the girls pick the names. Sometimes... Continue Reading →

A few weeks ago there was an uproar in Certain Newspapers and across social media because a school had started to use “your grown-ups” instead of “your mum and dad”. Let’s be clear. They were not banning the use of normal gendered parent names. They were not telling the kids not to use them. They... Continue Reading →