1st Crichton Brownies are the oldest Girlguiding Brownie Pack in Midlothian and this week they celebrated their 100th anniversary.

The unit was registered with Girlguide Headquarters on the 17 June 1925 when Miss Kate Alexander, the first Brown Owl, started Unit meetings.  She was Brown Owl from 1925 – 1971.

For 100 years, 1st Crichton Brownies has provided opportunities for girls aged between 7 and 10 years in Pathhead, Edgehead, Blackshiels, Fala, Cousland, Heriot, Gorebridge, Dalkeith and Danderhall. It has helped them develop skills and also experience adventures – all while earning badges, of course!

Many wonderful leaders have been involved with the pack since it was founded, with several ‘Brown Owl’ leaders over the years, including Miss Eleanor Banks (1971 – 1973) and Mrs Nicolson (1973 -1975).  

The current Brown Owl, Mrs Liz Jones, started as Snowy Owl in 1971 and has been Brown Owl since 1975. She is assisted by Anne Pow, who started as a young leader in 1974, and has been ‘Tawny Owl’ leader since 1978. Over the years, a number of former Brownies have also returned to help as young leaders while undertaking their Duke Of Edinburgh Awards.

The Brownie meeting place has moved around over the last 100 years, including at the Good Templars Hall in Pathhead, Pathhead Primary School and the Sports Pavilion, where the pack meets today.

The Unit are enthusiastic users of Vogrie Brownie House, the Girlguiding Midlothian run residential house in Vogrie Country Park, where they enjoy week long Brownie Pack Holidays, although they have also stayed at Catterburn, Ninemileburn, Cairngorm Christian Centre and have had many sleepovers at the Carriage House in Pencaitland.

To mark their centenary, 1st Crichton Brownies held a lovely celebration afternoon which brought together former and current brownies and leaders. To the delight of all present, the Lord Lieutenant of Midlothian, Sarah Barron, sent a message of congratulations from King Charles III.

Girlguiding welcome girls aged between 4 and 18 years and new adult leaders are also always needed. Please visit our website to request a place for a girl, or to volunteer.

Congratulations to 1st Crichton Brownies on their huge achievement of providing 100 years of great experiences for young girls in Midlothian, and to the current leaders Liz Jones and Anne Pow, on 50 and 47 years of service as Brown Owl and Tawny Owl!