GALASHIELS will be celebrating a very important milestone this year as the 1st Galashiels Girlguiding unit turns 100.

Members of the Guides, Rangers, Brownies and Rainbows will have the chance to celebrate this momentous birthday with events throughout the year, including a fun day in March and an afternoon tea for adult members or those who have volunteered with the group.

Irene Sandie from Galashiels Girlguiding told us: "We’re hoping that all of the events we’re having and other activities that we would like to be part of over the year might encourage new adult volunteers to get involved in Girlguiding. We’d really like to be able to offer more girls in our area the chance of enjoying Girlguiding and to do this we need more volunteers."

Girlguiding has provided young girls and women opportunities to volunteer in their community, learn new skills, visit local and international sites and make new friends.

Irene added: "Girlguiding has changed a lot over the last century and more but still adheres to the same aims and ambitions as those of our founding members.

"We offer a safe, welcoming girl-only space for all girls and young women to try new things, help other people and discover their passions and talent, all while having fun with a group of ready-made friends!

"We're dedicated to girls leading the way - they choose activities, challenges and events that inspire them, and our volunteers support them to make it happen. We're always updating and adapting our activities so that they’re relevant to girls today.

"Through fun, friendship, challenge and adventure we empower girls to find their voice, inspiring them to discover the best in themselves and to make a positive difference in their community."

And to mark the occasion, unit leaders are putting together a centenary display to show how Girlguiding has changed in 100 years.

To do this they are asking for any former members or volunteers to send in their pictures of past Guiding activities.

Also, if you have been involved as an adult volunteer with Galashiels Girlguiding at any time in the last 100 years, leaders want to hear from you too.

To send any old Girlguiding photos, email galashielsdistrict@gmail.com or get in touch by phone at 01896 755713.

Former volunteers should send your name, unit, date of involvement and contact details to the same address.

For more information on Girlguiding, visit https://www.girlguidingscotland.org.uk/