Brighton Brownies celebrate 100th birthday with glass-bottomed boat trip

More than 150 Brownies from Brighton marked the organisation’s 100th birthday with a trip to the Sea Life Centre.

They were joined by about 40 volunteers as they took over the venue on Brighton seafront on Saturday (1 March) for three hours after it closed to the public.

The girls, all 7 to 10 years old, from the Brighton East Division, were celebrating the Big Brownie Birthday.

Highlights of their visit included a trip in a glass-bottomed boat as well as making fish from sand and sequins, drawing turtles – and eating fairy cakes.

They were also given a behind the scenes tour and enjoyed a long conga.

One Brownie from the 40th Brighton said “I love this place. I come here all the time with my family but I never get to do all these activities. It makes it so much more fun.”

Leader Carol Gray, from the 2nd Saltdean, said: “It was great to see the girls so excited. This year is all about the Brownies so it was right that they chose how to celebrate.

“Fantastic under-sea adventure had by all – the perfect way to mark 100 years of Brownies.”

Leader Vi Davis, from the 1st Woodingdean, said: “They all told me how much they enjoyed themselves and they can’t wait for the next adventure.

“Next on the agenda for many units is the Big Brownie Birthday Stay Away.”

The organisers said: “Brownies opens up a world of exciting challenges to girls aged 7 to 10, giving them the space to try new things and make brilliant friends.

“Girls take part in a hugely varied weekly programme incorporating everything from stargazing, world issues and science to abseiling, canoeing and zip-wiring.

Girls attended from eight units