Last Sunday all the Teddies, Brownies, Girl Guides and Ranger Guides of Grahamstown gathered together at the Cathedral of St Michael and St George to proudly display their colours and renew their promises at their Guide Sunday ceremony.

Guide Sunday is one of the most important dates in any Girl Guide's calendar. The girls actively participate in the church service and do special honour to one of their three promises - doing their duty to God.

“We support you and love you and we pray for you today as you renew your promises,” said Reverend Andrew Hunter who presided over the service. “We also would like to thank Guider Dorothy Holder who has been selflessly serving the Girl Guide movement for over 20 years and wish her luck for when she moves to Cape Town at the end of the year.”

Along with the excitement of Guide Sunday was the sadness that it would be Holder's last one in Grahamstown. Special guests from Port Elizabeth made a surprise appearance on Sunday morning to wish her well. Three members of the regional committee, including Jean Kemp, commissioner of the Cape East guide region, were among them. A

fter the service, the girls all walked to St George's Hall, where fun and games were had in memory of Eddie d'Oliviera, late patron of the Grahamstown Guide movement. The theme was “Jubilee” and the girls had a great time making crowns, sceptres and dresses fit for any queen.

“It's more the process of having fun and being creative that's important to us, not so much the final result,” said Holder as the girls busied themselves with newspaper, cardboard and lots of glue.

“You've all done a magnificent job in taking these boring, plain things and turning them into something truly special,” said Margaret Antrobus, local Brownie Guider, “And for that you can be very proud.”