75 years of guilding is celebrated in style by dedicated society

BARNSLEY Central Trefoil

Guild invited guests along to its celebration party recently to mark its 75th anniversary.

The Trefoil Guild, often described as Guiding for Adults, was founded nationally in

1943 and, four years later, the Barnsley Trefoil Guild was formed, making it the oldest branch in South Yorkshire.

Barnsley Central chairperson Mary Carr said: “It was formed during the war and I am always amazed that, at that time, so much was going on, I would have thought women had enough to do without starting a new venture. But they did, and here we are.

“Just four years later, Barnsley Trefoil Guild was formed. Unfortunately we do not have any records from that time, and have no idea who the women were who took this step.

“I suspect that Isobel M Carr – no relation – might have been involved as she was in guiding from the first in 1910. The aims of the Trefoil was to keep alive the spirit of the guide and scout promises and to give practical, financial and moral support to guiding and scouting.

“All I can find about the early days is that meetings were held at the scout and guide headquarters in George Yard. The note I found said it was up old, squeaky stairs. I don’t know when George Yard closed, but after that meetings were held in members’ houses.”

Originally registered as Barnsley Trefoil Guild, Barnsley at that time was one division but later split into several divisions thus Barnsley Central Trefoil Guild was created,

The Guild supported guiding in Barnsley by attending and helping units when needed, assisting in fundraising events, open days, brownie fun days, and sometimes could be found in camps and brownie pack holidays.

The Barnsley Central division subsequently acquired its own headquarters, and after obtaining grant money in 2003, the Guild was able to establish its meeting place in Guide House, Grove Road.

Meetings continued to be held there until the pandemic and lockdown.

“When we were able to meet again carefully, we met in a member’s house and big garden. Sadly for us, in the meantime, Guide House was sold and again, we were planning house meetings. But our secretary found this place for us, and we are happily meeting here at Buckley Methodist Church,” said Mary, who is a retired guide leader and has been a member of the Guild for 20 years.

The branch currently has 12 members, ranging in age from 40 to late eighties and are always happy to welcome new members. Anyone aged 18 or over, who has been a member of either Guiding or Scouting, or are willing to make the Guide or Scout Promise can join. Members meet monthly and continue to give support to guide and scout groups as and when needed.

From top: At Barnsley Town Hall Gardens in 1983, Two of the guild’s longest-serving members June Glover and Pat Parkin cut the anniversary cake.

Above left: Current chairperson Mary Carr in 1961. Above right: Isobel Carr, one of the founder members.

“As most of us are ex guide leaders, we have similar interests and it really is a pleasure to be part of it all,” said Mary.

Guild members joined invited guests from the guiding and Trefoil Guild movement for an afternoon of reminiscing and sharing memories to mark the anniversary.

“We had old photographs on display which brought back memories and it was lovely getting together again after the last few years when that just hasn’t been possible,” said Mary.