Brownies blast off on star quest to light up Bridgewater Hall

Brownies and volunteers from Bury, Oldham, Rochdale and Heywood with the Chief Guide Gill Slocombe and Region President Suzie Reynolds

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Brownies from Rochdale embarked on a cosmic Star Quest adventure on Sunday 18 May to celebrate the 100th birthday of Brownies.

The girls, all aged seven to 10, joined more than 500 Brownies from around Manchester at The Bridgewater Hall to mark The Big Brownie Birthday with a musical, space-themed spectacular.

The all-girl celebration saw the young stargazers travel through three time zones in the hunt for missing stars - taking part in challenges and enjoying new and exciting adventures en route.

The Star Quest story began with a trip to the past to learn more about the 100-year history of the Brownies, followed by an Out of this World Lunch.

In the afternoon, girls chose activity sessions based on the present day, including song writing and dancing.

Finally they journeyed to the future, where they launched rockets before ending the day all nervously gathered in the hall hoping that they have gathered enough stars and written enough song words to light up the night sky.

The Brownies also welcomed two very special guests to the event – Chief Guide Gill Slocombe and North West England President, Suzie Reynolds.

Ellice Hanlon, 10, said: “I loved the Star Quest. My favourite activity was the poem writing – I was proud to read my poem out on the stage. This was my last event as a Brownie before I go to Guides and I got to meet the Chief Guide. She gave me one of her special badges.”

Gillian Taylor, Big Brownie Birthday Champion and one of the event organisers, said: "Seeing Brownies from all over our local area come together to celebrate The Big Brownie Birthday has been fantastic. Girls from different towns and groups working together and trying new challenges – that’s what Brownies is all about."