These photographs from the archives of Girlguiding Essex North East show how far the movement has come in its look, activities and events.

However, the ethos remains the same, says Helen Venner, County Commissioner, and Guiding is as popular as ever with north Essex girls.

She said: “It is changing all the time, that is why it is called a movement, but it is still about the girls having fun, starting to make their own decisions and being that bit more independent.”

Janet Edwards, 69, a former Assistant County Commissioner, Brownie leader and division Guider who lives in Kelvedon, was a Brownie in the 1950s.

She said: “The unit I went to was actually run by the lady of the manor, and this was quite a common occurrence because they tended to have a lot of time on their hands. One of the things I recall we had to do was learn how to set a table.

“At my home, we had knives, forks and spoons, so it was pretty easy to lay it, but our Brown Owl brought in this massive set with all different knives and forks for different uses and, although it might not have seemed relevant to me at the time, whenever I have been presented with something like that I have never had any trouble because I know which one is for which course.”

She added: “I also remember we had to show we were proficient at a certain set of tasks before we moved up from Brownies to Guides and one of those things was laying a fire in a grate.

“We learned where to light it as well. Everyone had fires at the time, so it was really relevant at the time, but the girls coming to Brownies now mostly have central heating.”

The Brownies followed the Guides, which had been set up in 1910 after the huge success of Scouts, famously launched in 1907 by Lord Baden Powell.

His sister took charge of the Guides and with so many of the girls having to look after younger sisters, the idea for a group catering for them was born.

The Brownies actually started life as “Rosebuds”, but the name was not popular with girls and changed a year later.

Janet said: “Brownies are mythical creatures, so the sixes groups were traditionally named after similar things. I was a leprechaun and there were Pixies and Sprites and Gnomes.

“There are still groups that have those, but it has also moved toward woodland animals like badgers, hedgehogs, rabbits. Every unit has their way of doing things.

“The leaders were always owl names, with the leader generally being Brown Owl, but I know that isn’t always the case these days.

“We always had a toadstool, which we would have out for enrolments.

“It was all very structured, and I remember being made a seconder, and then a sixer, was really important because it was the first taste of having responsibility for others,” remembers Janet, who has recently launched a Trefoil Guild, the section for adults.

Singing, games, craft and outdoor activities have long been enjoyed by Brownies, and these photographs show girls across north and mid Essex from as early as 1920 right up to the present day enjoying a host of activities.

Helen says the Brownies have survived over the years because they are constantly moving with the times to remain relevant, but also because of the many hours volunteers give up to run the units and organise events.

“It would not happen without them, I say this at every county review and it is the truth,” she adds.

  •  If you recognise yourself in any of these photographs or have memories you want to share of your time with Brownies through the decades, get in touch on 01206 508186.
  • To read other stories in the Gazette's history section click here.