Girlguiding New Forest Waterside Division

History

The following is an attempt to give a brief history of Guiding in the New Forest Waterside Division.  Records for the early period - up to the early 1940s - are scanty but annual reports are available for 1943, 1944, 1946 and from 1948 onwards and much of the following information is taken from these reports.  Many other sources have been used and thanks must go to the Guiders (living and dead) whose forethought in drawing up their notes has made this 'history' possible.

 

The Early Years

In the early days Hampshire Guide Officers, as they were called, were the only ones to wear white gloves.

 

The 1930s

In 1939, the oldest Rangers from Dibden Purlieu started the Hythe Old Guides, which a few years later (1943) became the Hythe Trefoil Guild.  This group for many years sent food parcels to a Polish family and received letters in reply.

 

In the early days, some unusual meeting places were used.  1st Hythe Brownies, for example, during the late 1930s, met in the front of a cinema and then in the stables at the back of a local pub.  When war was declared in 1939, meetings continued but had to stop when bombing started in June 1940.

 

The 1940s

In the early 1940s, 1st Hythe Guides met in a summerhouse and later in a garage.  Outdoor activities were very popular.  Guides were proud to earn war services badges; wearing bib-and-braces type overalls on which was embroidered a large 'S' for salvage, they collected National Savings, conkers for toothpaste, rose hips for syrup, did gardening, picked fruit and canned it to help towards the rations, also undertaking many more helpful tasks.

 

The New Forest Division Standard was made at this time, under difficulties and for that, if for no other reason, it holds a unique position; the material was from people's bit bags - as all cloth was on coupons - and work for it had been contributed by all ages and ranks.  It was dedicated at Lyndhurst Church on 12 September and presented to the Division by the County Commissioner.  This is the standard now used by the New Forest North Division.

 

During the war camping in tents was not allowed and Guides from Beaulieu District used to cycle to Foxlease for weekend and week camps in Bridges, the old stables there, which was later converted into Beaverbrook Lodge.  These 'camps' for 20 or so girls were run by one Guider only, with the help of the older Guides.

 

Shortly after VE Day on 8 May 1945, Beaulieu District held a real camp at Whitsun, on Orchard site at Foxlease.  In the summer holidays, the District camp was at Beaulieu.  VJ Day was celebrated on the banks of the river with a bonfire and singing, along with some of the villagers.

 

The 1950s

When Blackfield Guides were formed in 1950, they met half a mile from the village in a disused Baptist chapel, alongside a graveyard, on the edge of the forest.  With no street lighting, torches were essential and heating was limited to a fire in an open grate in a small side room, lit when Captain arrived, if at all.

 

The 1960s

1960 was World Refugee Year, supported by many members, including 1st Fawley Guides and Brownies, who staged a concert.

 

In 1961 the volcano on the island of Tristan Da Cunha erupted and the entire population was evacuated to Calshot.  They were housed in the old RAF camp and the girls were encouraged to join Brownies and Guides at Fawley.  Time meant nothing to them, which led to difficulties if transport had been arranged.

 

The 1970s

A campfire and service of thanksgiving for 60 years of guiding was held on the beach at Calshot Activity Centre. 

 

In February 1971 Brownies of Beaulieu District cheered old and disabled people by raising funds to provide alarm bells in their homes.

 

The geographically very large New Forest Division was split into Romsey, New Forest Waterside and New Forest North Divisions and, with New Forest Avon and Hurst Castle, began to operate on 1 January 1974.

 

For several years from 1974 Hythe District supported their local hospital in many ways.  They paid for a telephone to be installed for public use in the out-patients' area.  They bought radios for patients in hospital and also gave beanbags for patients who could no longer support themselves on chairs.

 

1st Hythe Brownies cleaned the picnic area at Shore Road in Hythe on Saturdays during the summer - just another piece of service to the community.

 

The 1990s

In July 1991 members in the New Forest Waterside Division saw their beautiful standard dedicated at the Beaulieu Abbey church.                                         

(written by Mrs Sheila Leach, former Division Commissioner)