We
all have fond memories of being a Spark, Brownie or Guide
and we would love to hear all about your memories of camp,
crafts or just
being part of your unit.
Barb Currie
It
was the night of my enrollment in 1947. My uniform hadn’t
arrived the week before so I had to wait until I got to the
meeting to put it on. I hand on the required black shoes,
black lisle stockings and navy or black bloomers when I slipped
into the back room, to put my uniform on. I pulled it over
my head and it nearly reached the floor! My wonderful Guide
leader reassured me that I was right in style as in this
post war year fabric was once again available and women’s
hemlines had dropped from knees to mid calf.
When I was a Guide, about 1947-1950, inspection was an important part of the
meeting. Each patrol was marked on the appearance of every girl’s uniform
and hair and fingernails. Is the tie cleaned properly folded and knotted? Has
the enrollment pin been polished so it gleams? Are the black shoes shone and
the stockings pulled up? And last but not least can you bend over the flip up
you skirt enough to show the Guider that you have got on your navy bloomer?!!
How we hated them!!
We sometimes think that grownups have always been grownup or forget that young
people have their own worries. I was working on my musician’s badge, which
involve doing some signing. My choir master was also my science teach in grade
10 and I really liked him but I was still nervous singing for him, maybe because
I really wanted to please him. My voice got all wobbly and just like the opera
singer but I guess is was alright because I got my badge.
During my years as a Brownie, my fondest memory is wearing
my uniform to school on the days we had out unit meetings.
I wore my knee socks high, my scarf tied perfectly and my
badges with pride, knowing the whole day that I was a part
of a very special group of friends.
Sure the games, crafts and camping were great as well, but getting the chance
to wear that uniform really intrigued me. It was like suiting up for a special
mission. Each time I put on that little dress, pinned my pixie, positioned my
sash and beret, I grew a little bit taller, smiled wider, and felt ready to take
on the world!
Those heady days of singing songs, sharing secrets and making new friends are
long gone, but now that I'm all grown up, I can once again be a part of the Girl
Guides of PEI by contributing to the creation of this web site. Thank you Girl
Guides for asking me to be a part of this project and for the chance to reflect
on my glory days as a Brownie!
