THE 6th East Oxford Guides are looking for former Brownies, Guides and leaders to join their 75th birthday celebrations.

The group was officially formed in 1937 and quickly attracted a host of young girls eager to take their ‘promise’, work towards badges and enjoy camping in the Girl- guiding tradition.

The group which has 25 members, and is now part of the Shotover District, includes Rainbows, Brownies and Guides, some of whom are the third generation of their families to be part of the movement.

Current leader Kate Coldwell said: “The 6th has a rich heritage and history and we would love to mark this very special anniversary with alumni of all the East Oxford Girlguiding groups.”

“We will be having a celebration on November 23 in East Oxford and we want anyone who was involved with the 6th to please get in touch.

“We know from our archives that when the 6th was formed 75 years ago, it was very popular.

“Its Brownies and Guides met at several church halls, which are no longer here, but were in and around Catherine Street, Charles Street, Magdalen Road and Percy and Howard Street.

“At that time there were huge numbers of families living around here, thanks to employers like the Morris factory.

“Our archive has also enabled the present members to see registers featuring young members’ names and addresses, and many photographs of local and national Girlguiding events, which the girls attended over the years.”

In preparation for their 75th anniversary, the girls of the 6th have been trying on some old uniforms and taking ‘before’ and ‘after’ shots with their current uniforms.

Miss Coldwell said: “At the party we hope do this again, as well as having a theatrical show by the present girls and a display of some of our archive material.”

Among those attending the party will be local author Janie Hampton.

Miss Coldwell said: “There are many references to the East Oxford Guides in Janie’s fabulous book How the Girl Guides Won the War and she will be reading from it and signing copies at the party.”

She added: “It would be wonderful for the girls to celebrate this important milestone and also look to the future with former members. We are sure there is much we can learn from and share with them.”

  • Former members and supporters of the 6th East Oxford Guides can find out more about the 75th celebrations by phoning 01865 434758 or emailing shotovergirlguiding@gmail.com