50 years of guiding marked with book launch

Guiders, Guides, committee members, chaplains and friends were among those invited to share in the launch of the title, ‘St. Michael’s Guides Enniskillen and Lisbellaw celebrating 50 Years of Guiding 1963-2014’.

Half a century ago, Girl Guiding CGI came to St. Michael’s Parish, Enniskillen. Mrs. Attracta Galligan, First Guide Commissioner, set about training the first leaders, including Maura Hunt, Margaret Belford, Alice Farry, Dympna Donnelly, Mary Cleary and Pauline Farrell.

Two companies of Guides were set up, quickly followed by a third. The Guides wore a uniform consisting of a brown box-pleated skirt, canary yellow blouse, brown shoes, brown beret and brown belt. A different coloured tie was worn by each company. The Guides held their initial meetings in Abbey Street School which had recently been vacated when St. Michael’s Primary School opened for the first time.

In 1964, the Lisbellaw Guides, known as fourth company - which met in Tattygar School, Lisbellaw - had Beatrice Whitley and Patricia Farry as their leaders.

Two companies of Brownie Guides were formed and they met in the Presentation Brothers’ School, now the Clinton Centre. All sections of Guides moved there, and in 1970 they moved to their present Guide Hall nearby.

There were camps in Cliffoney, Fintra, Mullaghmore, Larchill, Castle Archdale, Claddagh Glen, and Gweebara Bay, Westport, Dunluce, Smarmore Castle and some abroad.

The final change in uniform came in the late nineties when all guide sections changed to navy trousers. Guides wear a sky blue sweatshirt with the guide logo and their unit neckerchief and Brigin guides wear a green sweat shirt and neckerchief.

With many memories of guiding down the years encapsulated in this book, those in attendance at its launch also enjoyed perusing displays featuring the uniforms as well as photographs of members and the activities of 50 years.