Brownies visit Number 10

Girls from the 1st Bushmills Brownies gave the Prime Minister a tiny taste of a range of activities including archery as well as giant games, plate spinning and armpit fudge.

Mr David Cameron thanked the Brownies and Girlguiding’s 100,000 volunteers for their dedication to giving girls a head start in life.

He said: “I’m delighted to be celebrating the Brownies’ 100th birthday in Downing Street. Being a Brownie is about having fun, being adventurous and learning a huge number of skills. But at the heart of what it is to be a Brownie, is the promise to give back and serve others. In this centenary year Brownies have been volunteering across the UK as part of the Big Brownie Birthday Badge Community Challenge. Happy 100th birthday and here’s to another great 100 years ahead.”

During the party, each of the Bushmills Brownies wrote down her hopes for how girls’ lives will change in the next 100 years. These ranged from the serious – such as all, girls gaining access to education – to the more zany, like every Brownie should go to the moon! The birthday wishes were gathered in a special book to be kept by Downing Street so that visitors and dignitaries can view the girls’ wishes for years to come.

Brownie Alex Kincaid, 7, said: “It was amazing! I ate lots of ice-cream and did plate spinning. David Cameron cut the birthday cake with us!”

1st Bushmills Brownie Leader Allyson Hutton, added: “It was an absolutely amazing day and going through the famous black door was my highlight!”

Chief Guide Gill Slocombe added: “Brownies is all about fun, adventure and showing just how big a difference girls can make – and they definitely succeeded in bringing a bit of that spirit to Downing Street.

“It’s important that girls know they can make their voices heard.

“It’s great that their wishes are being heard at Number 10 – though I’m not sure even the Prime Minister could arrange for the Brownies to have their weekly meetings on Mars.”