BROWNIES from the Tavistock area joined others from Plymouth and Torbay for a visit to Devonport Naval base last Saturday.

A thousand youngsters in all, aged between 7 and 10, took part in a series of games and activities with a jubilee theme.

They were also treated to displays by the Ministry of Defence Police Dog section and HMS Drake Volunteer Band.

Brownie guider Rica Olver from the 1st Whitchurch Brownies said it was the first large-scale event they had been to.

'They made friends — it was a big thing for them,' she said.

The Lord Mayor of Plymouth attended, as did Sir Francis Drake and Lady Drake, and lunch took the form of a street party with all the girls on one giant table — the floor of the Drill Shed in HMS Drake.

The day's activities — which were arranged by a team of guiders — included making banners, masks, crowns and paper posies. They ended with a jubilee sing-song led by Nicki Ridge, district commisioner for Roborough.

Naval base liaison officer Commander Charles Crichton, who organised the event on behalf of the Navy, said their aim was for the Brownies to 'enjoy their day' at the Naval Base 'and take lasting memories with them of how they celebrated the Queen's Golden Jubilee'.