THE sound of laughter and fun echoed from the walls of one of the region’s most iconic sites as young women took part in a celebration marking 100 years of Girlguiding’s Senior Section.

An evening of jousting on space hoppers, live music and mediaeval activities was hosted at Fountains Abbey, near Ripon, North Yorkshire, by Girlguiding North East England.

More than 750 guiding members from all over the North-East gathered for the biggest celebration of the Senior Section to be held in the region.

The evening got underway with theatre workshops, archery, falconry and a host of other activities including mediaeval re-enactment, modern day jousting and leather tooling.

And the evening continued into the morning as guests bivvied out under the stars.

Senior Section members were treated to a performance from Inés Antunes, 14, herself a young leader with 11th Guisborough Brownies.

The teenager, who is on the Royal College of Music’s Young Musician programme, entertained the audience with Spectacular Tonight which was specially written for her for the evening’s festivities.

Girlguiding’s Chief Guide Valerie le Vaillant was among those who took part. “It has been a magical evening,” she said.

“I have been so privileged to share the evening with them. It has been a fabulous opportunity to celebrate all guiding can offer young women at a crucial moment in their life.”

Girlguiding’s Senior Section is open to all girls aged 14 to 25, offering opportunities to older girls in guiding – from international travel and outdoor adventure sports to peer mentoring, advocacy and leadership skills.