Jersey Post’s first stamp issue for 2010 marks the centenary of the Girl Guides, a youth organisation with ten million members worldwide and more than 500 in the Island.

The Girl Guides were founded in 1910 by Robert Baden-Powell a lieutenant-general in the British Army, writer and founder of the Scout Movement. The new movement was first overseen by his sister, Agnes, then by his wife, Olave, who was appointed Chief Guide in 1918.

The stamps were produced with the assistance of the Island Commissioner for Girl Guiding in Jersey, Hilary Hardy, and Girlguiding UK.

Mrs Hardy said: ‘I am delighted that Jersey Post has produced a set of stamps to mark our centenary. Guiding in the Island continues to flourish, offering an up-to-date programme for the girls of today. We are part of the largest global organisation for girls and young women, and the centenary is an opportunity to celebrate the impact the organisation has had on the lives of girls and young women over the last 100 years, and continues to do so today.’

Guiding first started in Jersey in 1919, as the demand for a similar movement to the Scouts for girls and young women gained momentum throughout the British Isles. Inspired like so many women by Baden-Powell's book Scouting for Boys, two Islanders, Miss Le Cornu and Miss Luce started the first two Guide units at the Ladies College (now Jersey College for Girls). Today, local membership stands at more than 500 with six Rainbow Units, 16 Brownie Units, eight Guide Units and one Ranger unit.

The stamps were painted by artist Colleen Corlett - who is based in the Isle of Man – from photographs supplied by Mrs Hardy and show guiding activities in the Island. The stamps depict the following themes: healthy lifestyles, global awareness, skills and relationships, celebrating diversity and discovery.

Philatelic Researcher, Susanne Lowman, thanked Mrs Hardy and Girl Guiding UK who kindly gave Jersey Post permission to use the picture of Agnes Baden-Powell on the First Day Cover envelope alongside Olave Baden-Powell.

Mrs Lowman said: ‘Although Lord Baden-Powell’s wife, Olave, was appointed Chief Guide in 1918, it is important to also recognise the key role of Agnes, who helped her brother found the association, then wrote a scheme for girls and implemented it. Girl Guiding UK also allowed Jersey Post to portray various badges, neckerchiefs and the specially commissioned centenary branding on the stamp products.’

Mrs Hardy said that she was thrilled with the quality and amount of detail captured in the stamps.

‘The brightly designed stamps not only reflect guiding in 2010 - a modern and relevant organisation appealing to the girls of the 21st century – they are a lasting memory of our centenary year for all of us here in Jersey, and my thanks goes to everyone who has been involved in this stamp issue,’ she said.

Source: ifcfeed.com