Arun Guides and Rangers attend exclusive gig

Along with some 30,000 music fans, Guides and Rangers from Yapton, Walberton and Barnham descended on London’s Wembley Arena for the Girlguiding UK’s BIG GIG 2011.

Pixie Lott, Dionne Bromfield and Olly Murs were among the stars on show at the music event, which has been held exclusively for guiding members for ten years.

Amy Tyson, 12, from 1st Yapton Guides, said: “The BIG GIG is the most amazing concert just for Guides to go to, you get to have loads of fun while watching and listening to some great music.”

The demand for tickets was so overwhelming that for the first time three concerts were put on over the weekend.

The event was hosted by super-daring children’s television presenter Helen Skelton.

Helen was suggested by a huge number of girls on Girlguiding UK’s internet forum.

The Guides screamed and danced the whole way through the concert and particularly enjoyed Olly Murs, The Wanted and Ed Sheeran.

Alice Stead, 11, said: “Every act was amazing and the atmosphere was phenomenal.

“I felt so lucky that I got the opportunity to experience a gig at Wembley Arena that other people might not get as they are not Guides.”

The girls all aged between ten and 14 travelled up to Wembley by train in their special pink cowboy hats and as they got nearer to Wembley, met other Guides who were also all dressed up and heading to the BIG GIG.

Unit leader for 1st Yapton Guides Anna Drynan added: “The atmosphere was pretty amazing and everyone had a great time.

“It’s fantastic Girlguiding UK put together such an enjoyable and unique girls-only day that is so relevant to what the girls today are listening to.”