Sir – I searched through the pages of today’s The Oxford Times (May 20) for coverage of the Girl Guiding centenary celebrations ‘Party at the Palace’ in vain. More than 4,000 Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Senior Section spent the weekend in the grounds of Blenheim Palace rounding off a year of celebrations for their centenary year.

The event was finished on Sunday morning when the Guides, who had slept out under the stars, renewed their Promise just as the sun rose — a moment that they will remember for the rest of their lives.

This fantastic weekend had been organised by a band of enthusiastic volunteers, many of whom are Guiders and run their own units around the county. Funds were raised locally and not one penny was taken from the public purse.

We hear so much about the negative side of today’s youth culture and I feel very disappointed that our local paper did not manage one word or photograph in praise of the Guiding movement and all the wonderful children and their dedicated leaders.

David Cameron, our new Prime Minister, wants to promote a more caring society where we help each other — you need look no further than the Guiding Movement (and Scouting) for inspiration.

He had been invited to attend the party and I feel sure that he would have been there had not events in Downing Street overtaken him.

Christine Halliday Friend of Guiding and Treasurer for the Wychwood Division Shipton-under-Wychwood