Here come the girls

Dame Sara Lees, with her trademark hat and glasses, at a handicraft exhibition in 1932

1 More Image(s) In Gallery

Gallery Oldham set to mark 100 years of guiding

Be prepared for an exhibition to mark 100 years of girl guiding which will open at Gallery Oldham in 2010.

Old pictures, uniforms, and guide memorabilia will be on display in the community gallery for six weeks from January 16.

The movement began nationally in 1909. And once the spark of interest had been kindled by a visit from Manchester commissioner Alice Behrens, young Oldhamers were soon enrolling in the first all-girls organisation not linked to a particular church or denomination.

Miss Behrens was invited by the great Oldham philanthropist and feminist Marjory Lees, who was friends with Alice’s parents.

Marjory’s mother, Dame Sarah Lees, a formidable force in politics and women’s issues in Oldham, was also a supporter.

Miss Behrens spoke at a meeting of National Council of Women members at the Overens Street Institute, off Greenacres Road, in 1914.

A few months later, the first guide unit opened at St Anne’s Church, Royton, and another at Bent House, West Street, Oldham, home of Mary Higgs, the social worker and founder of the Beautiful Oldham Society.

Doreen Hague, who has been connected with local guiding since 1957, and has been helping with the centenary research, said: “They opened within a couple of months of each other and then lots of units were springing up all over Oldham.

“The 1930s were the heyday of guiding in Oldham, and the 21st anniversary was celebrated at the Drill Hall with 2,500 guides there.

“I think they were successful because there was nothing much for girls then. Guiding gave them independence.”

After the Second World War, local guides showed their initiative by visiting Salford docks where they discovered an old Army hut which became the first guide camp hut in Greenfield.

Guiding is still going strong across Oldham. Doreen, a former guide and ranger guide, who became district commissioner for Lees, said: “There are 1,600 people in guiding, from rainbows through to adult leaders up to 65.

“We move with the times but sometimes we don’t seem so obvious anymore. Perhaps we don’t give ourselves enough publicity.

“Guiding has meant a lot to me, for example it means I have lots of friends in Sweden. I was invited there through guiding in 1981.”

Jessica Creswell (24), from Chadderton, is the modern face of guiding. She is the centenary champion for guides in the Oldham West ward and has been to many of the local celebrations.

Jessica was one of the first brownies at Healds Green Methodist Church in Chadderton, then a guide and assistant brownie and ranger leader.

She said: “Guiding has been the main part of my life since I was seven-years-old.

“Guides are my extended family, and I also got my job through guides. I went straight from school to my interview and when they saw the teamwork I had done they were very impressed.

“I would encourage other young people to join.”

For more information about the exhibition or guides in Oldham, contact Jessica on 07896-423 846 or Doreen on 0161-620 4675.