Guides began nearly 100 years ago, only we were called Girl Guides then. It all started when Lord Baden Powell, who was a famous war hero, started to think about how local boys had been useful as scouts in the Boer War. He thought the same principles and ideas would work back at home in Enagland. To test out his theory he held a trial camp for a group of boys on Brownsea Island.

The Camp proved a sucess and he wrote a book called 'Scouting for Boys'. It was published in weekly parts and boys and girls all over England read it. And started to from Patrols

In 1909 he called a rally at Crystal Palace for all the Scouts who were interested in his new movement. It was well attended and among the Scouts who came were a group calling themselves the Impeesa Patrol (this was a name given to BP which means 'the wolf that never sleeps') the entire patrol were girls and called themselves Girl Scouts. BP didn't quite know what to do!

At that time boys and girls weren't allowed to play together or even do the same things. Most girls were not allowed to run, swim or even ride bicycles. In 1910 BP asked his sister Agnes to help him make something for the girls. The Girl Guide Movement was born. Agnes became the first president and wrote the first handbook 'How Girls Can Help Build Up The Empire!'.

Even in 1910, although it was difficult for them a few of the braver companies went camping.

Very Soon the little sisters wanted to join in. They didn't want to wait to be old enough for Guides. Agnes started Rosebuds for them, but they didn't like the name and later BP changeed the name to Brownies. At the beginning they had Guides as Sixers.

BP was married to Agnes St Clair Soames. They shared the same birthday although he was much older than her. Agnes, Lady BP started to look for commissioners to be in charge of each county. She herself was the first County Commisioner for Sussex and the first Divisionb Commissioner for Rye (but not at the same time).

Rangers began for older girls who wanted to carry on as Guides but were getting too old for their companies. They started off as Senior Guides and then the name changed to Rangers. Cadets began for Girls who wanted to be Guiders. (We call them Young Leaders now.)

Foxlease, a grand country house in the New Forrest was given to the Association. The house is used for trainings and holidays and the grounds for camping. (Now there is also a Brownie House and a Ranger Bothy as well as the Coach House and the main Building, Princess Mary House.)

People from all over the world had become involved with Guiding and Girl Scouting. The Senior Commissioners met up and started the World Council. This later became the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS).