A centenary of service (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Malmesbury guiders step down

2:10pm Saturday 31st January 2009 in News By Tina Robins

FOUR leaders with combined service of more than 100 years to Guides and Brownies in the Malmesbury area have retired.

Judy Paginton, Sylvia Baynham, Clare Bishop and Jean Lynch were the guests of honour at a special party in the town hall to celebrate their contribution to the movement, which marks its centenary next year.

Former Brown Owl Sylvia spent 20 years as a leader and 26 as treasurer, Clare spent 15 years helping the Brownies at Brinkworth and has been Tawny Owl for the past 10 and Judy joined the movement aged seven and took over the 4th Malmesbury (Burton Hill) Guides in 1966. Jean, who also joined as a seven-year-old, served as her assistant for 10 years before moving to the division’s executive.

Members of the 4th Malmesbury were all disabled girls at Burton Hill School, who went camping in Surrey every year.

The movement has gone through huge changes since the women joined. Rainbows have been introduced for younger girls, uniforms have become much more casual and the organisation has joined in the debate on high profile issues such as sexual health.

Gone are the days when Guides would simply take part in activities organised by their leaders.

"The girls themselves have much more say in what they do and the planning. In the past it was much more formal," said Judy, a former district commissioner, camp and disabilities advisor.

Guides and Brownies in years past would be subject to marching lessons and inspections. Their pockets would be checked to see if they had the necessary clean handkerchief, safety pin, paper, pencil and money for the telephone box in case of emergency.

Camping has also changed beyond recognition. "The first tent I camped in was a camouflaged bell tent, which was ex-army," she remembered.

"We used to go to camp in a furniture van."

However some of the traditions like learning to sew on buttons and basic first aid have carried on.