The female wing of the uniformed organisations at Fulwood is very strong and vibrant. We shall begin with the Rainbows a young group in every sense. Rainbows nationally began in the late eighties when girls aged 5 to 7 felt that they wanted to be involved in the exciting activities that their older sisters were enjoying in the Brownies. Fulwood’s group dates back to March 1992 with Trish Broadbent as the first Rainbow leader. Sandra Williams is now the present incumbent of the position. There are twelve Rainbows at present and they enjoy quite a wide range of activities - games, crafts, singing, outings which all prepare them for Brownies. One or two of them took to the stage in the children’s chorus in our recent production of ‘Joseph’.

Recently, they had a wonderful day out at Guy’s Farm taking part in the County Rainbow Day. This year’s theme was ‘The Circus’ where all the activities had a circus theme. One of their important current activities is an involvement in Disability Awareness for which they will be awarded badges and certificates.

At the age of seven, the girls move up into Brownies where they stay until they are ten/eleven. Fulwood’s pack is predominately fed from the Rainbows but if there is space, girls from outside are welcome. At present, there is a waiting list. There are twenty two Brownies at the moment. The Brownie Leader (Brown Owl) is Doreen Williams and she has held this office for 32 years. She is assisted by her daughter Claire Richardson (Tawny Owl) - who has been in post a mere 18 years! This is very much a family business as Sandra, the Rainbow leader is also Doreen’s daughter-in-law. The other leaders are from the Bird family - Diane and her sister Lynne, who is a Unit Helper, and last but not least Claire, Diane’s daughter.

As with the Rainbows, the Brownies enjoy a wide range of activities and work towards badges There are craft activities - and they have a stall at the Christmas Fair which is always very attractive and also a financial success. From time to time they bake cakes which they sell on Parade Service mornings. They are involved with the Disability Awareness Challenge and at the moment are concentrating on what it is like to be blind! The next step will involve learning about the hearing dogs for the deaf. They enjoy various outings - to the ‘Brownie Revels’, which is a district event where they take part in competitions, and each year, weather permitting, they hold a summer barbecue.

The ethos behind the Brownie Movement is one of learning, developing a sense of social responsibility - and having fun - and Fulwood’s pack do all these things very well!

The next stage is the Guides - in our case the 39th Preston Group led by Trish Broadbent and Alison Alcock with Beth Squire as the Assistant Leader and Katie Thomas, Laura Heggie, Emily Owen and Anna Sheasby as Young Leaders. Alison also holds the important position of District Commissioner. There are twenty guides on the roll at the moment and they are also involved in working for a wide range of badges and certificates. They get about a bit as well! Lately it has been an indoor holiday at Waddow, day excursions to Camelot, the Guides Derham Cup and they are looking forward to their approaching summer camp at Waddecar. They came third in the District Guide Competition. They, too, are involved in the Disability Awareness Challenge. They also contribute to the Christmas Fair - usually in the shape of extremely tasty hot dogs!

The Guide movement shares and continues the aims and ideals of the Brownies and when the girls move on at the age of 14 they will have learned a great deal about themselves and about helping others. In our company they often become young leaders thus giving back to the guides who follow them something of what they have learned and enjoyed.

At fourteen, guides have several options. Training to be a young leader with the guide company is one choice. They can join a Ranger company, the nearest one being at St John’s at Broughton. A more recent option is to join ‘Indiana’, a District group of Explorer Scouts, and this option has been chosen by some of our guides. Previously called Venture Scouts they are a mixed group of ex-scouts and guides and they are the group for this district drawing members from various companies and troupes and meeting at St Cuthberts. They attend Fulwood for church parades. Operating very much as Guides and Scouts but with the members having more responsibility for their activities and their expeditions are somewhat more adventurous but at the end of the day they all share the same ideals.