Thursday night was the Opening Session of 79th SIGBI Federation Conference.
Twelve hundred members experienced the Flags of the Federation ceremony, which were paraded by adult guiders from Girlguiding North East England to the music, Crown Imperial. This year the flags were paraded around the auditorium, and then crossed over on the stage, where President Pat walked with them to symbolically welcome each country (from Anguilla to Zimbabwe). The SI flag was escorted by International President Ann Garvie and the UN one by SI Programme Director Hilary Ratcliffe.
The Roll Call followed where the members enthusiastically applauded each country and region, and SI and SIE, contrary to a request at the start – but at times it is good to break rules.
Greetings started with The Lord Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear, Nigel Sherlock, who read the message from Buckingham Palace. Greetings were also received from David Cameron, President SISWP, SI Brisbane, World Endometriosis Society, SI Scotland South and SI Northern England.
Jack Graham, Mayor of Gateshead, referring to Dr Johnson’s infamous comment of Gateshead being, “the back lane of Newcastle” where he said that it was actually the cultural centre of Newcastle! Doreen Huddart, President SI Newcastle added her welcome to Tyneside. During her welcome she said that there were 1,200 licensed premises in Newcastle (one for each member in conference!!!!!!!). President of SI Edinburgh (President Pat’s club) greetings were read by a club member as she was unable to attend.
After the Vision and Mission statements were read members stood in in memoriam for those members who had died in the last year.
President Pat then formally opened the Conference where she hoped we would celebrate our service, have fun and laughter.
Then entertainment was provided by State Express Five although there were six of them! They entertained us with music from the 60s and 70s: I Want to Hold Your Hand/Daydream Believer/Superstition/Run, Run, Runaway!/Please Please Me/Honky Tonk Woman/Suspicious Lies/Sweet Caroline and finishing with Great Balls of Fire.
The music had members jitterbugging in their seats, arms waving in unison, air guitarists in full flood and lots up on their feet reliving past eras led by members of the FMB. It may not have been everybody’s cup of tea but I hope the energy expended tonight continues throughout Conference.
We left the Sage with the words ‘We don’t always have to see eye to eye as long as we are walking side by side’. A thought to prepare us for the rest of the weekend.
Report by Joyce Boorman – SI London Anglia Region
Footnote:
And those fantastic flowers all along the front of the stage? They were arranged by members of two local Flower Clubs Whickham Flower Club (of which Christine Cottingham is a member) and Cestrian Flower Club (of which Sue Brown is a member). And ladies, they did it all for love!