St Stephen’s Guides celebrate 75 years with special tea party

The 7th St Stephen’s was formed in November 1945 for returning girls who had been evacuated prior to the German occupation.

‘While the anniversary marks 75 years of unbroken guiding, the first documented history of the group dates from 1912 when it was the 7th Guernsey and more parish related,’ said current guide leader Debbie Robilliard.

To mark the occasion, a tea party was held at St Stephen’s Community Centre to which members past and present were invited.

Memorabilia on display included photographs, press cuttings, uniforms and unit blankets.

The St Stephen’s Guides were not the only reason for anniversary celebration as 2020 also marks 70 years of the brownie unit and 30 years of rainbows. A ranger unit has been formed in recent weeks.

The 7th St Stephen’s Guide Unit is part of the south eastern district of Girlguiding Guernsey.

Mrs Robilliard said quite a few people who had been involved with the unit over the years but who could not attend the tea party had sent messages of good will.

‘Girlguiding Guernsey has celebrated many milestones over the years and we’re lucky to be in one of the only places where we can still have face-to-face meetings,’ she said.

Jean Le Huray was a brownie from 1950 and a brownie guide for 40 years. Her mother, Lillian Kaines, was involved with the unit from the start and her daughter, Rosalyne Le Huray is a former brownie and guide leader.

‘Guiding has evolved over the years,’ said Mrs Le Huray.

‘When I was a brownie we had to be able to clean a grate and set the fire up.

‘Nowadays a lot of it involves computers but they still have to do practical skills.’

Mrs Le Huray’s sister, Barbara Amory, was involved with the unit for about 20 years up to the 1970s.

‘I remember doing a camp in Rue a L’or in about the 1960s,’ she said.

‘They were muck spreading nearby and there were dead chickens in the field so we had to pack up and leave.’

Steph Dragun was a brownie in the 1960s and a rainbow leader by the time she retired from the unit in about 1996.

‘The camaraderie is what I remember the most,’ she said.

‘It’s a fantastic organisation to make friends for life and you learn so many skills.’

Kathleen Renouf was an assistant brownie leader for about 10 years up to 1987 and her daughter, Dawn Renouf, was a brownie.

‘Jean [Le Huray] asked me to help out,’ she said.

‘I remember going on a guiding training camp in Herm and after that I was ready to take my promise.’