Mosaics at Coltishall reflect Guiding history

Ten mosaics reflecting the county’s rich Girlguiding history have been specially commissioned to ensure the past year of centenary celebrations leave a lasting legacy.

The designs, created by artist Joy Holden, were chosen by the movements’ 8,000 Norfolk members and have taken three years to be completed.
They were on display for the first time yesterday at a harvest tea event at Patteson Lodge, the group’s activity centre in Coltishall.
One mosaic features an image of Britannia, which has been Norfolk’s county badge since 1923 and the only one in the UK with a military design.
Others include the first Brownie promise badge, the Guide promise badge, and the poppy patrol badge which is still used by some Guide groups in Norfolk today.
Girlguiding Norfolk’s county commissioner Helen Green said the girls came up with the idea for the mosaics when they first began planning for the 100-year celebrations.
From 20 suggested designs, every member of the movement in Norfolk was asked to vote for their favourites and 10 have now been made.
She said: “We wanted something permanent that would be a nice record of celebrating our centenary and some kind of mark of the past 100 years.
“This is very special and it’s going to last forever.”
It is hoped the mosaics will remain on show on buildings, trees and in camp fire clearings at Patteson Lodge for many years to come to remind members of the centenary celebrations.
A trail, using Girlguiding Norfolk clues, is set to be created to lead visitors around them all.