Every November Units of Girlguiding, Isle of Wight take part in Parliament Week. This week, which is planned by the UK’s Parliament in Westminster allows girls to understand the workings of Parliament together with the workings of central and local government.
Over the years a number of Isle of Wight Girlguiding Units have taken part as this enables girls to understand these institutions with topics ranging from the suffragette movement to the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
Those making a visit to units have included local MPs and their Parliamentary Office staff whilst Guides and Brownies have made a visit to County Hall, Newport to see how the Isle of Wight Council functions.
Parliament Week 2023 was no exception with11th Newport Guides undertaking a visit to the Isle of Wight Council Chambers. They met with the Council Chair Cllr. Claire Critchison, (who for some time was a Girlguiding Leader), the Mace Bearer and the Vice Lord-Lieutenant Maurice Sheen CBE.
They learnt about the history of the Mace, which was made in 1690, the history of the Lord-Lieutenancy and about the Council Chairperson’s role at council meetings. They also learnt about the heritage collections held at the Guildhall Museum.
Emma, Leader of 11th Newport Guides said, “UK Parliament Week is held every year and it’s a chance for our younger members of the country to learn about Parliament and what local councils do.”
