Janet Peasgood Queen's Guide 1961

The Guides met in the Robinson Road Institute on a Friday evening. I used to cycle there from my home in Irchester Road in all weathers and many a time the batteries in my lights used to fail and I would have to walk the remainder of the way home or else risk the wrath of a policeman.

I believe that there were four Guide patrols, Lily and White Heather being two. I belonged to Lily from joining and went on to become a patrol leader. The guide Captain was Miss Kathleen White, who must have dedicated so much of her time to running the Guides. The weekly meetings consisted of games, testwork, patrol challenges, uniform inspections, and camp fire sing songs. In the Summer we were often outdoors playing Wide Games in the Paddock behind the institute. The Paddock was ideal for practising tent erections, making gadgets for camping out of wood, lighting fires for hike cooking, and camp fire singing. The highlight of the year was going to camp, usually during the summer holidays. Captain must have spent a huge amount of her time arranging this and it was a big responsibility. There was a weekly camp each Summer. We went to Madresfield (Worcs) in 1959, Kingston on Soar (Notts ) in 1960, Tetbury (Gloucs.) in 1961 and Thornbury near to Bristol in 1962.So much excitement at going away to these unknown places. There was also the big County International Jubilee Camp at Castle Ashby to celebrate 50 years of Guiding in 1960. Guides from all over the County attended plus guides from abroad. We were broken down into District camps, a few lucky ones chosen from each Company, and we had some Dutch guides attached to our camp. I remember they taught us how to make fancy lanyards. Smaller camps were often undertaken by Patrols, usually run by the Patrol Leader after obtaining her Patrol Leader's Permit. These were held nearer to home, sometimes at Castle Ashby where there was a Guide Lodge named Threefold, and I and my friend Gill Tattersall took our Patrols to camp at Woodnewton.

We spent hours practising making gadgets from wood cut from the hedge or trees or lying around providing it was still green. I still have a scar from where my penknife slipped. Every month we attended Church Parade at St. Mary's when all the Guides, Brownies, Scouts and Cubs were present and their flags presented. It was a great honour to be chosen to carry the flag or to be an escort. Throughout the year there were other parades and services such as St. George's Day parade and the Commonwealth Youth Sunday Service, held at different halls or churches in the area.

Thinking Day celebrations were held each February 22° to celebrate the birthdays of Lord and Lady Baden Powell. It was their joint birthday. This was often held at the Windmill Hall in Rushden for the District guides and brownies. I seem to remember that there was a different 'theme' each year, usually singing and dancing related. Once we had a Maypole and one year when a Ranger, we performed a Modern Dance which we had spent weeks practising.

I spent hours working for badges ,sometimes on my own or attending weekly sessions with a St.John Ambulance man for the First Aider badge and also training at the Fire Station for Firefighter badge. Did we get to slide down the pole?! Many a cold, dark, clear evening in the Winter was spent outside trying to find different constellations so that Star Gazer badge could be obtained. At last in 1961 had done enough work to become a Queen's Guide and my badge was presented at the Salvation Army Citadel.

A Court of Honour was held every so often at Captain's house, attended by the Guide Leaders and Patrol Leaders. Future programmes and activities were discussed and any matter or concern could be brought up.

Besides this there were annual Jumble Sales, Church fetes to help at, Guide Swimming Galas, Sports and Carol Services. Always something to take part in. We were never bored.

For about 4 years I helped with the St.Mary's Brownies run by Mrs Maidwell. At first I was a Guide Pack Leader and later a Ranger helper. Great fun and this inspired me to become a Primary School teacher.

It was a very happy period of my childhood. I made lots of friends, had some wonderful experiences and fun, gained confidence and learnt a great deal which has stood me in good stead for the rest of my life. A big thank you to the Rushden St. Mary's Guides.

Janet Banks, nee Peasgood. April 2013.