ISLE of Wight girl guides and girl scouts celebrated World Thinking Day recently.

They celebrated with an afternoon of activities at Lower Hyde Holiday Park, Shanklin.

It involved rainbows, brownies, guides and rangers with their leaders and was based on the theme for 2020 — diversity, inclusion and equity.

Through a variety of activities, all the girls had an opportunity to find out more about the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, and had fun with games and crafts.

Covering the theme of inclusion, members learned and practised their promise in British Sign Language.

Special guests included the Island’s Lord Lieutenant Susie Sheldon, IW High Sheriff Geoff Underwood, the IW Council chairman Cllr George Cameron, and a surprise visit from a Girlguiding SW England region deputy commissioner Sarah French.

Following the activities there were several presentations to some of the Island’s volunteers.

Sarah French presented the joint Girlguiding IW Commissioners Shirley Saunders and Lesley Clifford with thank you awards as they are standing down following their five-year term of office.

Shirley and Lesley in turn presented six volunteers with good service brooches for excellent service within Girlguiding.

With a combined total of 90 years’ service, Marion O’Nions (40 years’ service) and Deborah Meadows (50 years’ service) were given their long-service awards by Sarah French.

Tessa Bryson, a ranger and helper with 2nd Carisbrooke Brownies, said: "I had so much fun, from teaching brownies how to work together and make story bracelets to doing acting with the rangers.

"I loved it so much, helping brownies discover their true creativeness. I can’t wait for it to happen all over again next year when I can learn so much more about different World Thinking Day traditions."

The gathering helped raise £270 for the Thinking Day Fund, which is in addition to the £937.61 recently sent to the Island’s sister guides in Australia following the bush fires.