THOUSANDS of girl guides renewed their promise to “do their best” as they celebrated 100 years of the movement.

On Saturday, 4,000 rainbows, brownies, guides and rangers descended on Blenheim Palace, in Woodstock, to mark the milestone anniversary.

As well as a giant picnic, belly-dancing, a tug of war and drumming workshops, the girls also tried their hand at more traditional guiding activities such as archery and semaphore.

Star guests and hosts, the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough, marked the occasion with speeches and cut the first slice of birthday cake amid cheers from the girls.

Many guides stayed for a sleepover, and watched as the sun rose over the 2,100 acres of palace grounds.

Carol Dunne, County Commissioner for Girl Guides in Oxfordshire, said: “Some of the girls renewed their promise at 5.07am when the sun rose. It was beautiful, it rose above the trees and was a very memorable experience for the girls.

“We wanted to provide them with strong memories as we prepare to look forward to the next 100 years of guiding.”

Despite some opponents who denounced the idea of girls hiking and camping, the girl guide movement was formed in 1910 by army general Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the Boy Scout movement, who realised girls wanted a separate group of their own.

Now there are about 10 million girls and women worldwide involved in the organisation, which aims to develop girls’ potential and make a difference to their communities.

When girl guides make their promise, they pledge to do their best, love their God, serve the Queen and country, help other people and keep the Guide law.

Mrs Dunne said: “Girls get a chance to make friends, have lots of fun and learn many new things, and it provides them with a unique girl-only space. The activities we provide are as relevant to the girls now as they were 100 years ago.”

She added: “It’s so rewarding seeing everything that the girls learn.”

eallen@oxfordmail.co.uk