HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN VIEWS GIRLGUIDING UK’S CENTENARY ROSE AND MEETS GIRLS FROM KENT AT CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW

Ahead of Girlguiding UK’s 100th year celebrations which start in September, the organisation’s Centenary Rose is all set to be viewed by the public at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show.

The Centenary Rose is just one part of Girlguiding UK’s celebrations planned over the next 18 months. Over half a million members across the UK are expected to take part in a whole host of spectacular events ranging from action-packed adventure trips, to the organisation’s largest scale community project ever in partnership with 19 national and international charities.

And as part of her Royal visit to the show on Monday, Her Majesty The Queen - who is Patron of Girlguiding UK – viewed the rose and met with Chief Guide Liz Burnley, and Brownie Leader Alexa Laurence along with young members Rebecca Holland, Rosie Davis and Li Pamnani (all from Canterbury).

The girls also had a chance to meet several other famous faces who were also at Chelsea including Olympic cyclist Victoria Pendleton – herself a former Brownie and Guide – actor Stephen Fry and Professor Robert Winston.

Liz Burnley said: “The Centenary Rose symbolises 100 years of guiding in the UK, 100 years of opportunities for millions of girls of many generations. We are sure that it will prove very popular with many current and former members as a lasting memory of this very special year.”

The rose itself has been produced by the Hertfordshire-based nursery Harkness Roses, and is a raspberry pink ‘all-purpose’ plant particularly suitable for gardening beginners.

It will be on view at the Harkness Roses Stand throughout the Chelsea Flower Show which runs until Saturday (23 May).

Fans of the Centenary Rose can order their own – either bare-rooted or planted - by logging on to www.roses.co.uk, and clicking on the Girlguiding UK Centenary Rose link.

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For more information, contact Rob Panting at the Girlguiding UK Press Office on 020 7592 1733 or email robert.panting@girlguiding.org.uk.

Girlguiding UK is the UK’s largest voluntary organisation for girls and young women, with around 575,000 members and recognised volunteers. One in four eight-year-old girls is a Brownie and almost half of all the women in the UK have been involved in guiding at some stage in their lives. We run Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Senior Section, enabling girls and young women to develop their potential whatever their ability or background. We are striving to offer new opportunities to a broad diversity of communities through our expanding network of 60,000 trained volunteer Leaders.

At Girlguiding UK we seek to give girls a voice and provide a unique, girl-only space where members feel comfortable just being themselves. Our members, challenged by a girl-led programme that extends beyond badges, enjoy a spectrum of activities from outdoor adventure to pop-concerts to community action.

Girlguiding UK, part of a worldwide Movement of approximately 10 million girls and young women in 145 countries, launches its Centenary celebrations in September 2009. Registered Charity No: 306016, www.girlguiding.org.uk