Our District Commissioner, Stevie Jepson, had replied to an invitation by CHQ to apply for tickets to see "The Colonel's Review" in London and so this story begins....
Guides and Leaders from Wilmslow District met at Wilmslow Station at 6am with our packed breakfasts, comfortable shoes, rain coats and sitters to catch the train to London. The journey went quickly and everyone was excited about the day ahead.
We made our way to Horse Guards Parade and waited until we were shown to the special uniformed organisations section, by police cadets, where we met other Brownies, Guides, Cubs and Scouts.
The Mall and was very clean and tidy and although there were lots of people there it did not feel crowded. The things I will remember most are the clip clop of the horses' hooves on the road, the bright contrasting black and red on the soldiers' uniform and the great feeling when it stopped raining! We watched 'The Colonel's Review', which is the dress rehearsal for the 'Trooping the Colour' but it didn't matter, it still felt very grand to us.
After the parade we had our lunch and then walked along to Westminster. Our Guide Leaders had arranged for us to go on the London Eye, and this was my favourite bit of the day. It was lovely seeing London from a bird's eye view and how all the famous bits join together. For Helen Armstrong, Guide Leader with 2 nd Wilmslow it was a very special moment as she made her Promise as a Leader. It was now really hot, so we all stopped to enjoy an ice cream. Then we went on a boat trip along the Thames and saw the Tower of London and the Houses of Parliament from a different view point.
Finally it was time to make our way home. Thank you to all the Guide Leaders for arranging such a great day out, it was lovely to feel we were part of the Queen's Official Birthday Celebrations and it truly was a day to remember.
Written by Ailsa Harris age 11.
