THE birthday of Girlguiding's founder Sir Robert Baden Powell and his wife Olave falls on February 22, which in the Girlguiding calendar is recognised as World Thinking Day.

Tavy Division members met to pay tribute to their founder and his wife and to reflect on how differently young people from across the world live.

They focused on infant mortality and looked at the work of the United Nations. Through fun activities they raised awareness on minimising the spread of infection and the importance of hand-washing.

The Tavy Division reflected on the ten million young guiding members and the one and a half million volunteers that make up the movement, which now spans 145 countries.

They paid special tribute to local volunteers and issued a number of long service awards for five, ten, 20 and 30 years of service.

A special thank you gift of a Girlguiding Centenary Rose was presented to Lorraine Orton, who, having been a Guide leader for 30 years, many as a treasurer to Tavy Division as well as more than 20 years actively involved in organising the Guide Christmas Post, retired at the end of December.

Leaders of the Bere Alston Brownies, Yvonne Hicks and Di Daymond, were taken by surprise when they were presented with the Devon Standard Award in recognition of their outstanding commitment and the flexible approach given in order to maintain a unit in a rural location, providing many varied opportunities to so many young girls, some of whom are now mothers of Brownies attending the same unit.