Looking back at Girl Guides in Cumbria throughout the years

The Guide Association was established in 1909 after the efforts of many girls who refused to accept that scouting was 'just for boys'. Soon, these young women began completing badges in sailing, aviation and home electrics.

Later still, Girlguiding members were making important contributions to the First World War effort – growing food, acting as messengers for government organisations and working in hospitals, factories and soup kitchens.

In the early days there were calls for new age groups and Brownies was set up (originally called Rosebuds) for girls under 11. A Senior Guide group for older girls was established in 1916 – now called Rangers. The youngest group, Rainbows, joined in 1987.

Between 1914 and 1918, Guides acted as messengers for confidential information for The Marconi Wireless Telegraph. In 1940, members raised over £50,000 to help the war effort. There was a committee set up to select and train Leaders for relief work after the war, called the Guide International Service.

 In 1966, six Guides broke the girls' relay record for swimming the English Channel. 

Girlguiding Cumbria South was registered as a charity on 25 March 1965, but its activities undoubtedly began long before this date.

Girlguiding North West England is subdivided into 17 Girlguiding Counties. These are not the same as the counties defined by the British government.

The region was introduced in 1960 covering the Counties of  Cumberland, Westmorland,  Cheshire, Lancashire, plus the Isle of Man, with the headquarters in Preston.