A group of Brownies have been celebrating 100 years of women having the vote by completing a special challenge.

Dereham Times: The 1st Toftwood Brownies have been celebrating 100 years of women having the vote by completing a special challenge badge in their meetings. Picture: HELEN GREENThe 1st Toftwood Brownies have been celebrating 100 years of women having the vote by completing a special challenge badge in their meetings. Picture: HELEN GREEN (Image: Archant)

The 1st Toftwood Brownies created their own challenge badge during a recent meeting together.

Katie Theobald, leader in charge, said: 'It is a great opportunity for the Brownies to think about what life might have been like for women just a hundred years ago and the struggles they may have faced, as well as inspiring them to be whatever they want to be as women of the future.'

They also welcomed Dereham mayor, Hilary Bushell.

The group of girls were given opportunity to find out more about what it is like to be a councillor or a mayor. They learnt about how a mayor is elected and what their duties involve.

Dereham Times: The 1st Toftwood Brownies have been celebrating 100 years of women having the vote by completing a special challenge badge in their meetings. Picture: HELEN GREENThe 1st Toftwood Brownies have been celebrating 100 years of women having the vote by completing a special challenge badge in their meetings. Picture: HELEN GREEN (Image: Archant)

Mrs Bushell said one of the best parts of being mayor was being able to get out and meet people who are part of organisations and those that are making a difference.

During the meeting, the Brownies made their own suffragette rosettes. They were also presented with special ribbons by Mrs Bushell.

After this, a discussion took place about situations that were fair and those that were not. This was alongside finding out which jobs women were not allowed to do 100 years ago.

In another meeting, the Brownies found out when other countries gave women the vote. They also created their own set of rules for the country if they were Prime Minister and made placards for their own suffragette march.

The 1st Toftwood Brownies has been running since 1965. They are part of the Guiding family in Norfolk, the Anglia region, and in the UK.

In 1918, following years of bitter struggle, women finally gained the right to vote. This year commemorates those who fought for that right.

- If you are interested in helping deliver any of the programmes girlguiding in Dereham and the surrounding areas, visit https://www.girlguiding.org.uk/get-involved.

- Are you involved in a special project to mark 100 years of women having the vote? Contact reporter Donna-Louise Bishop by ringing 01362 854705 or emailing donna-louise.bishop@archant.co.uk.