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The Girl Guides Association was established by Lord Baden Powell in 1910. In 1912 he married Olive Soames who in 1918 became the first and only Chief-Guide a position she held until her death in 1977.
Today modem girl guides are encouraged to reach their full potential in a number of activities, to develop both mentally and physically, and to adopt a caring attitude within their community. Nowhere can the ideals of Guiding be seen to be more faithfully adhered to than in the 15th Woodford Guide unit based at St Thomas of Canterbury.
The Guide Company at St Thomas was established in July 1936. The then District commissioner was concerned that there were many catholic girls in various Guide companies and Brownie packs around the district. So she approached Father Guardian to ask if the parish could have a Guide company and Brownie pack of its own. Monic Coppendale was appointed Captain with Mary Coffey as the Lieutenant. Monica left in 1940 to become a nun, Sister Magdalene in an enclosed order and Kathleen Gebb took over. (Sister Magdalene is still alive and still keeps in touch with the Parish, she visited the unit in 1970). So it has continued to the present day with dedicated leaders, voluntarily giving up their free time to continue traditions set up over 60 Years ago.
For the last 17 years Janet Morris has led the unit with the help of a good team ofguiders Rosemary Smith, Ann Rose, Carol Murray and Norma Collicot and unit helpers Sheila Williams and Julie Traynor. We are very lucky to have a lot of parental support and I could not run the unit with out the help of them and the leaders.
During the last few years we have taken the girls to camp at various places (Broadstone Warren, Gilwell Park, and Longridge and one night on the Golden Hind on the Thames). This year we are off again to Longridge for a water sports active weekend. This will involve canoeing, dragon boating, sailing and much more. We have decided to take them here as it was such a big hit with the girls last time.
Next year we are trying something completely different for camp. For the first time we are taking the girls abroad, to Euro Disney. This will only be along weekend but if successful we hope to take them on many more trips abroad.
Although some of our girls have already had the chance to travel with the Guide and Scout associations. Representing our unit and district on international camps. (Czech Republic, Portugal Finland, Canada, Croatia and Switzerland). As well as representing our district at international camps in this country. The victim of its own success the unit has 46 girls who come every week to the meeting. This consists of girls 10-14 years. We also have a waiting list of girls keen to join the 15th.
The leaders are always looking for new ideas and if anyone in the Parish who has a speciality they would like to share with us please contact me.
We meet on Fridays from 6.30 to 8 p.m. in the Becket Centre For more information phone the Parish Office.
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