Discover significant events in our history
We have a large, well organised archive at Nottinghamshire Guides’ HQ. The county archivists are always willing to help people find out more about our history. Please contact the team with any queries you might have or any items you would like to donate to the archives collection.
Old uniforms and other artefacts may be borrowed, please give as much notice as possible.
2021
Feb - Midlands SMILE badge.
Midlands online Thinking Day camp 20 - 22 February.
Apr - Online St George’s Day service at Southwell Minster.
May - Units start to return to face to face meetings, which were mainly outdoors. Claire Shinton the new Midlands Chief Commissioner, toured the region visiting units, including some Nottinghamshire units
Jun - Kirstie Pogson becomes Nottinghamshire County Commissioner with assistant county commissioners June Bingham and Heather Watson.
Oct - Campsites reopen to day visitors only after closing in March 2020.
2022
Jan - Campsites reopen to campers.
Jun - Queen’s Platinum Jubilee event for leaders, at Edwinstowe cricket Club.
Aug - Midlands PR event, Betty the Bus arrives at Rufford Country Park.
Sep - Queen Elizabeth II dies. Representatives of Nottinghamshire guiding take part in a guard of honour for a memorial service at Southwell Minster.
Nov - Ginormous Choir at the Albert Hall Nottingham.
Dec - Carols around the campfire at Roughbreck.
2023
Feb - Wollaton Hall sleepover for Rangers.
Mar - Gang Show at The Theatre Royal, Nottingham.
May - Guides and Rangers were part of a guard of honour for a service at Southwell Minster celebrating King Charles III coronation.
Aug - Members of Nottinghamshire attended the Midlands Megamix camp.
Around 100 members of Nottinghamshire Trefoil Guilds, celebrate the Trefoil Guild 80th birthday with afternoon tea at Elton Campsite.
Oct - Brownies sleepover at Wollaton Hall.
2011
- Mrs. Gill Slocombe replaces Mrs. Liz Burnley as Chief Guide
- Kate Royse County Commissioner
- Annual Review with a meal and dancing at Newark Showground as a ‘Thank You’ to Guiders
2012
- Foxlease celebrates its 50th Birthday and Rainbows their 25th.
- Julie Bentley replaces Denise King as Girlguiding’s Chief Executive
- 5 year plan for Girlguiding Nottinghamshire launched in March
- The Queen’s Jubilee is celebrated over a weekend in May when the County Commissioner and her team visit 8 events throughout the County and meet over 4600 members.
- 800 members of Girlguiding Notts raise over £20,000 for ‘Framework’ by spending a night in a box
- Improvements are made to the Magpies Nest at Elton thanks to a grant from the Masons
2013
- A new promise is revealed in June to be used from September
- In June, Roughbreck celebrates 50 years
- In July the Ginormous Choir, comprising some 450 singers, performs at the Albert Hall
- A new extension for the HQ starts
- Midland and Notts Rainbows celebrate 25 years with a Winter Magic Event
2014
A new uniform for Guides is revealed.
- Brownies celebrate their Centenary with a Big Brownie Birthday at Wheelgate
- A former Notts Guider, Nicola Grinstead becomes Chair of WAGGGS
2015
- CHQ in London reopens after a two year refit
- A special guiding badge is produced celebrating the Queen becoming the UK’s longest reigning monarch
- 600 members, aged from 5 to 25 joined 2000 at Newark Showground for dance, drama and music for Midlands ‘Go Global’
- Trefoil Guild members spend 2 days at Elton, several of them camping over night
- Eve Griffith County President
- Septemberfest held at Newark Showground
- Launch of partnership with ‘Operation Orphan’
2016
- The Senior Section celebrates its Centenary
- Mrs Valerie Le Vaillant replaces Mrs Gill Slocombe as Chief Guide
- First meeting of Notts County Friendship Circle is held at Elton
- Final event for Kate Royse held at the Albert Hall
- Mega Mayfest at Newark Showground
- Jackie Brocklehurst County Commissoner
2017
- Mrs Valerie Le Vaillant steps down as Chief Guide
- Strategy plan for Girlguiding Notts 2017-2020
- Ginormous Choir
- Rainbows celebrate their 30th Birthday
- Nottinghamshire Rainbows celebrate their 30th Birthday at Wheelgate
- Flower Festival at Hanson House draws 400 visitors
2018
Feb - New Chief Guide, Amanda Medler appointed
Mar - Opening of new Downing Hut at Elton
May - Megamoot at Walesby with 4,000 campers, visited by the new Chief Guide
June - 1st Kirkby in Ashfield Guides, the oldest unit in the County, celebrated its 100th birthday
Jul - Launch, both nationally and locally of the new Guiding Programme
2019
Jan - The county teamed with the Institute of Physics to create a brand new challenge ‘I am a physicist’
Jan - 1st Carlton (St Paul’s) Guides held a 90th reunion party
Mar - Gang Show
Jul - the county gained the Lord Lieutenant’s Award for Promoting Voluntary Service. The plaque and certificate are on display at HQ
Aug - Megamix festive style camp held at Beaudesert, Staffs
Sept - Ginormous Choir back by popular demand
Oct - Brownie Blast weekend held at PGL Caythorpe
2020
Feb - 1300 members from Nottinghamshire attended Midlands Region Celebrate at the NEC.
Guides and Rangers from across the county started the 90th celebrations for Elton Campsite, with a winter overnight camp.
Mar - all guiding units stopped meeting in person due to COVID. Instead meetings went online, and members continued to earn skill builders, badges and even took part in online camps.
Sep - Jackie Brocklehurst is appointed Deputy Midlands Chief Commissioner. Kirstie Pogson and Kayleigh Hunt become Joint Nottinghamshire County Commissioner.
2001
- Mrs Jenny Leach replaces Miss Bridget Towle as Chief Guide
- Jane Allen County President
2002
- Guide Association takes over running the ‘Take our Daughters to Work’ scheme
- Angela Green County Commissioner
- Nottinghamshire celebrates the Queen’s Golden Jubilee with ‘Guiding Goes Gold’ at Newark Showground
2004
Brownies celebrate 90 years with a trip to Legoland
2005
Elton celebrates 75 years of camping with a fun day
2006
- Mrs. Liz. Burnley replaces Mrs Jenny Leach as Chief Guide
- Dee Miles appointed County Commissioner following the death of Angela Green in 2005
2007
Structural alterations at HQ create a new archives room
2008
Anne Allery County President Rainbows celebrate their 21st Birthday
2009
The Guide Centenary gets off to a flying start with 6000 Notts. members having fun at Countdown 100 at Newark Showground
2010
- Centenary seat at Rufford Abbey unveiled in April
- 1600 members of Girlguiding Notts enjoy camping at Knotts 2010 at Walesby in August
- Elton celebrates its 80th anniversary in September
- Centenary closing ceremony on 20th October 2010 at 20:10 (20:10 20/10/2010) is celebrated in Nottingham’s Old Market Square and other places throughout the County and Country
1991
- Senior Section celebrates 75 years
- GOLD (Guiding Overseas linked with Development) project starts
- Brownie pilot camp held at Elton
1992
- Brownie ‘Go’ challenge is launched
- Jean Ramsden County Commissioner
- Lady Belinda Buchanan County President
1993
- The Trefoil Guild reaches 50
1994
- New promise, new promise badge for each section and new name – The Guide Association
- Nottinghamshire moves its Headquarters to Cromwell Street, Carlton
1995
Link ’95 Camp held at Hodsock Priory, visited by our national President HRH Princess Margaret
1996
Mrs Margaret Wright finishes her term of office as Chief Commissioner and is replaced by Miss Bridget Towle as Chief Guide
- Extension opens at the Magpies Nest at Elton
- Death of Dulce Hanson, former County Commissioner and County President
1997
- Rainbows celebrate their 10th birthday
- Catherine Beardsley County Commissioner
- New County HQ and shop opens at Burton Road, Carlton
1999
- 3rd World camp held at Foxlease
- Eurofun camp held at Portland Training College
2000
- Future 2000 camp held at Walesby
- Hanson House celebrates 25 years
1982
- The first Girl Guide postage stamp is issued
- Death of Ivy, Duchess of Portland, former County President, aged 95
1983
- Queen’s Guide award in transferred to Ranger section
- The Baden-Powell Trefoil starts for Guides
1984
- Brownies celebrate 70 years
1985
Guiding celebrates 75 years with a ‘Guides Alive’ pageant at Notts County football ground
1987
Rainbows start
- Anne Allery County Commissioner
1988
- Great Hautbois House in Norfolk opens as a training centre
1989
- Centenary of Lady Baden-Powell’s birth
- Brownies celebrate 75 years, Nottinghamshire Brownies celebrate at Kelham Hall and other places
1990
New uniform designed by Jeff Banks is launched
1971
- Diamond Jubilee of the GGA Radio Nottingham gives the Scouts and Guides their own programme, Jamboree
1972
- Harry Wheatcroft, local rose grower, names a red tea rose ‘Olave Baden-Powell’.
1974
- The millionth copy of the Brownie Handbook is sold
- Brownie Diamond Jubilee
1975
- Guide Depot starts at Porchester Guide Headquarters
- Brownie pack holiday house, Hanson House, opens
1976
- The millionth copy of the Brownie handbook is sold.
1977
- Death of Lady Baden-Powell
- Ranger Diamond Jubilee
- Death of Lady Readett-Bayley, aged 94
1978
- Guide depot moves to 163 Hucknall Road
1979
- Jane Allen County Commissioner
- Dulce Hanson County President
1980
- Downing site opens at Elton
1962
First issue of The Brownie Roughbreck campsite opens on land generously provided by The Duke of Portland
1963
Lady Baden-Powell officially opens Brownsea Island Lady Patience Baden-Powell, wife of the grandson of the founder, starts her guiding career in Nottinghamshire.
1964
Brownie Golden Jubilee Guiders on official business in the county are now entitled to claim 2d per mile!
1966
Sangam opens in India
- Cadets reach 50
- Sheila Walker County Commissioner. She later became the first Midlands Region Commissioner and then Chief Commissioner.
- Lady Baden-Powell visits Notts
1968
Launch of the new Eight Point Programme and handbooks.
- Glenbrook In Derbyshire opens as an outdoor activity centre
1970
Diamond Jubilee of the GGA
- Radio Nottingham gives the Scouts and Guides their own programme – Jamboree
1951
Dedication of the present County standard at Halam in June. Three day visit of Lady Baden-Powell to Nottinghamshire visiting Headquarters., Mansfield, Newark, Retford, and Southwell among other places
1954
Death of Winifred, Duchess of Portland, aged 91. She is succeeded as County President by her daughter-in-law, Ivy
1956
Dulce Hanson is appointed County Commissioner
1957
Our Cabana opens in Mexico Baden-Powell centenary celebrations in Nottinghamshire include a pagent at Nottingham Empire Theatre, a County Rally and a pagent at Mansfield. 26 Guides, Cadets and Rangers represent Nottinghamshire at the 2nd World Camp at Windsor
1958
Nottinghamshire has two of only four Canadian Brownie packs outside Canada. The other two are in Germany
1960
50 years of Guiding celebrated with a Jubilee camp held in Wollaton Park, visited by Lady Baden-Powell and her daughter Opening of the County Sea Ranger Hut
1941
Death of Robert Baden-Powell in Kenya
1942
Guide International Service (GIS) formed
1943
Trefoil Guild is founded
1944
Lady Baden-Powell spends three days in Notts. in July, visiting Headquarters, Mansfield, Worksop and Retford, attending a reception at the Council House and a rally at Manning School.
1945
- Myrtle Starkey is appointed County Commissioner
- The first Notts. Trefoil Guild starts in Worksop, closely followed in 1949 by three Forest Districts and Mellors and Robin Hood Districts, both in Plains Division
1946
Queen’s Guide Award starts
1947
- Broneiron opens as a training centre.
- Lois Gardener probably the first Queen’s Guide in Notts
1931
CHQ on Buckingham Palace Road in London opens.
1932
Our Chalet, the first World Guide Centre, opens in Switzerland City and County guides hold a big parade at Southwell to celebrate Guiding’s 21st anniversary.
1937
Princess Elizbeth becomes a Guide, Princess Margaret a Brownie and the Queen Mother becomes patron of the Girl Guide Association.
1939
Nottinghamshire Headquarters moves from 41 Park Row to North Church Street, to a building shared with the Scouts.
1922
Foxlease opens as a training centre.
1924
First World Camp is held at Foxlease
1926
- Thinking Day is inaugurated
- Audrey Readett-Bayley becomes County Commissioner
1927
Waddow Hall opens as a training centre.
1928
WAGGGS is set up.
-First Nottinghamshire County Annual Report produced.
- First County Standard presented to Nottinghamshire by Lady Readett-Bayley
Lady Baden-Powell attends a County Rally at Ruddington.
1930
- World Flag adopted
- Lady Baden-Powell is aclaimed World Chief Guide
- Death of Mrs. Ella Gem, known as ‘Guide Mother’ to Nottinghamshire’s guides.
- Elton campsite presented to Nottinghamshire Girl Guides Association by Col. G.N. Pearson
1912
Robert Baden-Powell marries Olave Soames.
How Girls Can Help to Build Up the Empire – the first Guide handbook is published.
1914
Rosebuds – later Brownies – formed.
First issue of The Girl Guides’ Gazette is published
1915
Rosebuds renamed Brownies.
Lady Baden-Powell attends a rally at Ollerton.
1916
Lady Baden-Powell appointed Chief Commissioner. Senior groups, later Rangers , formed. Cadets formed to train older girls as Guiders. Lady Sybil Pierrepont is appointed as County Commissioner. Winifred, Duchess of Portland is appointed as first County President. Offical census figures for Nottinghamshire list 262 Guides.
1917
Lady Seely County Commissioner.
1918
Lady Baden-Powell appointed Chief Guide. Nottinghamshire’s County Badge adopted
1919
Guides act as messengers at Versailles for the signing of the Peace Treaty.
1920
First World Conference is held in England. ‘Taps’ is adopted. Baden-Powell proclaimed Chief Scout. First Brownie Handbook written Hermione Harcourt Vernon is County Commissioner
1907
Lord Baden-Powell held an experimental camp for 20 boys on Brownsea Island.
1908
Scouting for boys is first published in book form.
1909
First appearance of “Girl Scouts” at the Crystal Palace Rally.
1910
The Guide Association was formed with Agnes Baden-Powell as President. 1st Nottingham (YWCA) Guides starts on Long Row, under the leadership of Miss Maude Andrews