Guiding in Cheshire"When Baden- Powell began Scouts he little realised that girls would want to join in and that he would launch their own movement. The county of Cheshire at this time covered the areas from Derbyshire to the Wirral ( the ‘teapot’ county!) This short history only mentions units or places which involve our current county.
Until the 1970’s all major events in Cheshire normally took place in Chester, often on the Roodee or at the Cathedral."
"By 1968 Cheshire Guiding had grown to almost 22,000 members. After many discussions it was felt that the time was right for the county to divide into three which is the next stage in our history.
1970 was Diamond Jubilee Year and The Chief Commissioner for England, Miss Beryl Cozens-Hardy, was our guest speaker at the Annual Meeting in Winsford.
When she announced the names of the Designate County Commissioners for the three new areas –
Mrs Reid to lead Wirral County,
Mrs Sandra Jones from Eccleston for Cheshire ForestMrs Nancy Walthew to care for Cheshire Border,
a buzz of surprise and delight was heard as some much younger people than usual were appointed!
In May we had not one but three County Camps, one for each of the new areas and all were honoured by a visit from the President, The Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon.
Royden Park was used for the area to become Wirral County,
Chelmondeley was home to the six divisions which were to become Cheshire Forest with Eileen Reeves in chargePat Moseley ran the camp for 450 girls for the new Border County.
A Guider’s Camp was also held at Eaton Hall. June saw a Thanksgiving Service held in Chester Cathedral – £350 had been rasied to
recast a ‘Guide Bell’, the service was followed by a march past where the salute was taken by the The Lord Lieutenant, Viscount Leverhulme"
"January 1st 1971 dawned, the birthday of the Cheshire Triplets, as we were to be called for a short while.
Cheshire Border was composed from the old East Division where Eileen Smart had been Commissioner for Macclesfield, Bollington and Congleton; from North Division covering Romily, Hyde, Marple, Disley, Bredbury and Woodley areas; North-east Division which included Alderley Edge, Handforth and Wilmslow as well as Stockport North and South.
Cheshire Forest included Chester Division, Mid Division – Knutsford, Middlewich, Northwich and Winsford; NorthWest Division – Frodsham and Runcorn; South West with Malpas and Tarporley. Also included were South Division which covered Crewe and Nantwich and South East Division with Alsager, Sandbach and Holmes Chapel."
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"Girl-guiding UK is the largest youth organisation for girls in the UK today.
Cheshire Forest is the largest county in North West England Region and is made up of 11 Divisions.
The County covers the areas of Warrington, Halton and North Cheshire – a diverse mixture of large towns and rural areas.
They offer a wide range of opportunities the girls and young women in their care, and provide a programme of activities through regular meetings where girls can have space to share ideas, learn new skills and have fun.
Enabling girl’s voices to be heard wherever decisions that affect them are being taken is another purpose of the national organisation of Girlguiding UK."
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