‘Fly the Flag’ for World Thinking Day
22nd February - Girl Guides and Girl Scouts have been marking this special day since 1926 World Thinking Day is a celebration of ten million girls worldwide that has taken place on every 22 February since 1926. It remains a day for all Guides and Girl Scouts to think of each other and celebrate their sisters all around the world.
In 1926, delegates from guide and girl scout organisations across the world met in the USA for the 4th world conference. They decided to create a day for Guides and Girl Scouts to celebrate being part of an international movement. Delegates chose to hold the first celebration on the joint birthday of Lord Baden-Powell, founder of the scout and guide movement, and his wife Olave, who served as World Chief Guide.
And so, ‘thinking day’ was born.
At the 7th world conference in 1932, a Belgian delegate highlighted that birthdays typically involved gifts, and perhaps girls could show their thanks on thinking day by raising funds for the organisation. In response, Olave Baden-Powell wrote a letter to all Guides and Girl Scouts asking them to donate just a penny – enough to buy a loaf of bread in those days – to help fund guiding around the world. This is now known as the World Thinking Day Fund. The name of the day was changed to ‘World Thinking Day’ at the 30th world conference in Dublin in 1999 when delegates chose a new name to more clearly emphasise the global nature of the celebration.
The Flag flying from the Flagpole on the 22nd February 2022 was the World Flag, it’s meanings are explained here:- WORLD TREFOIL The Trefoil, used on the World Badge, is the unifying symbol of WAGGGS with every part of the design having its meaning. The golden Trefoil on a bright blue background, for example, represents the sun shining over all the children of the world; the three leaves represent the three-fold Promise as originally laid down by the Founder; the base of the stalk represents the flame of the love of humanity; the vein pointing upwards through the centre of the Trefoil is the compass needle pointing the way; and the two stars represent the Promise and Law.
WORLD FLAG The golden Trefoil remains the focal point on a blue background. A white blaze in the lower, right-hand corner represents WAGGGS’ commitment to peace. This is crowned by three golden blocks symbolising the three-fold Promise. It is used at the World Centres, the World Bureau, WAGGGS’ gatherings and by all Member Organisations, often as a unit flag.
Girlguiding in Southwater and Barns Green make up Sharpenhurst District, where girls of all ages, rainbows (5 to 7), Brownie (7 to 10), Guides (10 to 14) and Rangers (14 to 18) are slowly returning to their weekly meetings, where they can learn skills for life, have adventures, take the lead, go on outings and have fun. We currently have spaces in our Guide and Ranger units. To find out more of what we do or to register your interest visit our Girlguiding website www.girlguiding.org.uk Girlguiding could not run with out the support of all their volunteers and we can always accommodate more volunteers to help run the meetings, to admin and finances. If you could spare a some time please register www.girlguiding.org.uk