Brownies, Rainbows, Leaders, past members and supporters of the 10th Newport Brownie Unit have recently been celebrating 70 years since the unit (then a Pack) was opened.
In 1955 there were a number of Brownie Packs and Guide Companies in the Newport area so when two ladies from the Congregational Church decided to start up a Brownie Pack the unit was registered as 10th Newport.
The first meetings were held in the Queen’s Hall, (now part of Boots in the High Street) but by the time Jean Tayler (sic) joined in 1955 the Pack was meeting in a Congregational Church Hall, now Caffe Isola.
Later a new hall was added to the main Congregational Church Building in St. James Street (now the Man in the Moon) and later still the Brownie meetings were held in a shop building in Newport High Street. More recently the unit moved to their current meeting place and the unit continues to thrive.
Over the years Brownie Leaders have come and gone but by the early 1980s Felicity Harris, nee Blake, was firstly Assistant Leader then Leader. After she married, Felicity continued until her twin daughters were born. However, such was her love of being a Brownie Leader that Felicity returned as Leader after only having leave for a few weeks. When old enough her daughters became Brownies, Guides, and Young Leaders and are now the Assistant Leaders with Felicity who has completed 40+ years of volunteering whilst Sarah and Charlotte have completed 10 years respectively.
One of the original Brownies, Jean Tayler (sic) who joined in1955 was Guest of Honour at the celebrations. Jean said,” I really enjoyed my time as a Brownie. We spent lots of time enjoying the outdoors and I learned life skills which have helped me throughout. I especially remember learning how to darn, but I don’t do much darning now!.”
Jean lit 7 candles to represent the 7 decades of the unit, refreshments were enjoyed including a Birthday Cake and all the girls enjoyed games.