Our Commitment to young people in Bedfordshire
What business, knowing it had a first-rate product, would fail to advertise it? We feel that, in Guiding in Bedfordshire, we do have a great product. It is one that has stood the test of time, notwithstanding the many available counter-attractions, and that is pertinent to the lives of girls and young women today. In Bedfordshire we are committed to ensuring that yet more of these young people are made aware of our presence and our programme of activities.
In Bedfordshire we have 6,000 members from the age of 5 - 65. On the national scene, we are an active part of the Guide Association of the United Kingdom whose membership currently stands at 7000,000; and what about all those who have been members in the past - an impressive 50% of all women?
We also operate within a World Association whose membership is 10.5 million - and growing - with Guides found in 140 countries.
This provides great opportunities for international travel. There must be few organisations where Hindus and Muslims, Arabs and Jews, black people and white people can sit down together in friendship, with a common purpose and no barriers because of race or culture, this is a tremendous force for good.
I believe that, by and large, well-balanced, well-intentioned adults have experienced a happy, fulfilling childhood. We owe it to our young people to provide them with opportunities to learn new skills, develop friendships and have fun - experiences from which to form good memories to carry with them into the future. I believe this is what we do in Guiding in Bedfordshire.
Mo Mowlam, Kate Adie, Carol Vordeman, Betty Boothroyd and many other well-known figures speak with affection of their days as Guides. We have to do our best to ensure that all our members, whatever their potential, achieve fulfilment.
Jean Wallis, County President
Home Page : County News : Guide Centres : Division News : Links : Section Info :