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CLUB CULTURE Dartmouth Brownies
TOP FIVE FACTS: Membership: 20 Price: £1 a week Meetings: Every Wednesday from 4.15pm to 5.45pm Volunteer staff: 4 Brownie Law: A Brownie thinks of others before herself and does a good turn everyday.
E
very Wednesday night an excited group of girls aged between seven and ten gather at the top of
the town to sing, play games and take part in craft activities, sports and baking. Dartmouth Brownies has been running for 90 years and attracts youngsters from Kingswear, Dartmouth and the surrounding villages. Originally called Rosebuds, the Brownie organisation was set up by Lord Baden-Powell in 1914 and the philosophy and goals have not changed. It’s all about learning new skills and trying activities which teach girls about themselves, their community and the world. In their regular meetings, members work in groups to gain badges – choosing topics and skills they’re interested in. They can explore everything from languages to space. There isn’t a Brown Owl in Dartmouth anymore, instead four helpers, (all with bird names) work together to lead the girls. Sara Hubbard, or Skylark as she’s known, has been with the unit for 12 years. She started helping out when her daughter joined and never left! “The syllabus the Brownies are following is a bit different this year – the girls will take on various challenges as they explore six new topics including ‘Be Well’ and ‘Have Adventures’. We’re kicking things off with ‘Know Myself ‘ which is about the way we interact; getting them to think about listening, being brave and bullying.” Some Brownie groups have given up on old
“Some come to us as little firecrackers; others start timidly then leave four years later confident young ladies with a sense of adventure.”
rituals, and these are actually the bits the girls love the best. They take turns to get the toadstool ready at the start of each session and love singing the goodbye song. I think the girls like it because it’s so different from life at home, there are no TVs, iPads or video games here. “ The team often ventures out into the community. Sara says the girls enjoy helping various local projects: “We team up with Dartmouth Green Partnerships each spring. This year we created a record breaking 102 hanging baskets in one session! We also visit the RNLI, do scavenger hunts and take part in the Remembrance Sunday Service. Our next big project will be making bird
and bee boxes for the Royal Avenue Gardens.” They also have sleepovers in the hall and two-night camps at Slapton Ley Nature Reserve. Sara says she loves coming each week: “The Brownies
traditions such as prayers and dancing around toadstool, but the Dartmouth group has held onto these aspects believing the old ways are the best. “Two of our helpers have been with the group for over 30 years and remember the old fashioned games and
introduce girls to a world of new opportunities, challenges and fun. They can be what they want to be here – girly or tomboys. I love watching them learn and grow. Some come to us as little firecrackers; others start timidly then leave four years later confident young ladies with a sense of adventure.” Any interest in joining Brownies should be done via the website
http://www.girlguiding.org.uk/home.aspx.
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