A timeline of significant events in the history of Girlguiding Birmingham
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In a break with tradition our awards celebration did not contain our AGM but concentrated on celebrating the achievements of volunteers during 2023.
Download our Annual Report for 2023 here:
Annual Report 2023 FINAL
Trefoil House, Brownsea Drive closed – to be demolished a few weeks later. Girlguiding Birmingham moved into Trefoil House, 2 Ellis Street and a new era began. Our 100th AGM and Annual Review took place in our new building, Trefoil House, Ellis Street on Saturday 18th November 2023 at 2pm. Our first AGM was held in 1920 (having started as a county in 1918) but because of the war years a couple of AGMs were missed and so this is the 100th AGM. Sarah Trinder, County President, welcomed all to Girlguiding Birmingham’s 100th Annual Meeting including special guests Clare Shinton (Region Chief Commissioner), Birmingham’s Lord Mayor, Councillor Chaman Lal and Steve Thomas, County Commissioner of Birmingham Scouts. A warm welcome was also given to consultant architect Derek Clarke who had been a great support to Girlguiding Birmingham during the move to our new building. Sarah remarked how nice it was to see such a packed hall for the 100th AGM and spoke a few words about Girlguiding Birmingham, the largest voluntary organisation for girls and young women in Birmingham. Through fun, friendship, challenge, and adventure we empower girls to find their voice, inspiring them to discover the best in themselves and make a positive difference in their community. Download our Annual Report of 2022 here: AGM Brochure for Annual review of 2022 FINAL On Saturday 11 March 2023 we opened our doors for the last time. People came together to chat and share their stories about our wonderful building and collect items of furniture etc that could be useful elsewhere. Janice Price, County Commissioner wrote on Facebook “I have just stood alone in the empty hall at Trefoil House and sung Daylight Taps in there for the last time. I swear I could hear the echo of excited voices of all the girls and leaders who have been there over the years. I then closed the doors and handed over the keys – we have finally moved out. Farewell Trefoil House.” Janice Price became County Commissioner, with ACC Anne McGibbon Our last AGM and Annual Review in Trefoil House, Brownsea Drive. Sarah Trinder, County President, welcomed all to Girlguiding Birmingham’s 99th Annual Meeting including special guests Clare Shinton (Region Chief Commissioner), Anne Allman (Region Office Manager), all Vice Presidents and other guests present. This was the first in-person AGM since 2019, covering our activities during 2021 and had been postponed from September as a mark of respect – the Queen, our patron, had died on 8th September. Our awards and recognition party was held over zoom. COVID had made it impossible to meet face to face so this is how awards earned in 2020 were recognised and celebrated … Wednesday 15th May at 7pm at Trefoil House. On Wednesday 9 May 2018 our annual awards took place. Jayne Howle became County Commissioner with ACC Diane Morgan. In April 2017 all our commissioners got together for a training weekend. Watch our video here: Our AGM and Annual Review of 2016 took place in the main hall of Trefoil House on 10th May 2017. Watch our video highlights here: Our 96th AGM and Annual Review took place at Trefoil House on Wednesday 10 May 2017. The Birmingham Lord Mayor, Councillor Carl Rice attended, along with other special guests. Here is the programme of presentations and you can watch some video highlights: On Wednesdaty 11 May 2016 we held our annual AGM and awards. Here is the programme of presentations for 2015: Our AGM took place at Trefoil House on Tuesday 12th May 2015. Our Annual Review and AGM took place at Trefoil House on Tuesday 13th May 2014. Read our 2013 Annual Report here: Girlguiding Birmingham Annual Report 2013 Maggie Jones became County Commissioner with ACC Sue Burton Sarah Trinder became County Commissioner with ACC Ruth Smith Linda Bateman became County Commissioner at Symphony Hall. Sheila Kimberley became County Commissioner Miss Joyce Allis became County Commissioner Mrs W A de Reybekill became County Commissioner Mrs Joan Lewis, JP became County Commissioner Trefoil House, the new Birmingham County Headquarters opened. Miss Beatrice Martineau became County Commissioner Good Turn Campaign – 27 special good deeds – 1 for each year of the Queen’s life. 4 venues in the City Centre, 4000 members in the march-past at the Council House. presented by Mrs W A Cadbury (dedicated in December 1953). with a visit from Lady Baden Powell. Birmingham has 10 Trefoil Groups, membership 170. Miss Margaret Danielsen, JP became County Commissioner 130 companies and packs closed because of lack of leaders There was an appeal from County Commissioner Mrs Cadbury for girls and women to listen to Miss Powell from Imperial HQ. for her bravery in the war. She was a guider in Yardley. This camp took place at our county camp site. Guides and rangers lined the drive as the guests arrived. A camp at our county camp site. The building was opened by the Lord Mayor, Alderman H E Goodby. The Infants’ School of the Hebrew Congregation in Blucher Street was sold for £3000 to the Girl Guides for their headquarters. Numbers had grown to 9,252, with 492 companies and packs and 665 guiders. We received a birthday message from Chief Guide, Lady Olave Baden Powell: Many happy returns on our 21st birthday. Not all of us will be here to see the next one, but every single one of us can do something towards making a success of it. If each one of us makes up her mind to show the true Guide Sprit those girls who come into our sisterhood after us will catch it too and carry it on. And what do you suppose that Guide Sprit is? Why, it is nothing more than determination to carry out better than we have ever done before – and with jolly smiles and laughter – our Law and our Promise. Olave Baden Powell Chief Guide Mrs W A Cadbury, JP became County Commissioner Princess Mary was President of The Girl Guides Association from 1920 until her death in 1965. The Chief Guide enrolled guiders at the rally. Lord and Lady Baden Powell were also present. until 1929 when we moved to Newhall St, Birmingham. A group of guides waiting in Victoria Square, Birmingham for the arrival of Princess Mary. This was our headquarters until 1923. In 1921 our Forward badge was designed. Lady Brooks CBE, MA, JP became County Commissioner Two guides receive the Order of Merit at Cannon Hill Rally. The Chief Guide presenting a Thanks Badge at an event in Birmingham. Guiders were enrolled by the Chief Guide at a rally at Beech Lawn, Edgbaston. Lord and Lady Baden Powell were also present. The junior section for girls aged 8-ll was formed (renamed Brownies in 1915) 1st Birmingham Guides gave concerts for wounded soldiers, knitted socks for men at the front and helped at Red Cross Hospitals. when Aston Manor became part of the City of Birmingham. 1st Birmingham Girl Scouts became 1st Birmingham Girl Guides The 1st Aston Manor company existed using that name from 1910 to 1913. A group of 12 girls from King Edward VI School walked from Harborne to join 1000 boy scouts. Their leader, a girl of 15 wrote later “we did not see why the boys should have all the fun”. These girls became the 1st Birmingham group of Girl Scouts.Saturday 22 June 2024 – Awards presentations and review of 2023
Wednesday 5 April 2023 – the big move
Saturday 18 November 2023 – AGM, Annual Review of 2022 and presentation of awards
Saturday 11 March 2023 – Trefoil House final open day
Monday 17 April 2023 – goodbye Trefoil House
1 October 2022
Saturday 26 November 2022 – AGM and Annual Review of 2021
Saturday 21st March 2021 – Virtual Awards Presentation
Wednesday 15 May 2019 – Annual Review, AGM and Awards
Wednesday 9 May 2018 – Annual Review, AGM and awards presentation
1 October 2017
Commissioners’ Training weekend
Wednesday 10 May 2017 – AGM and Annual Review of 2016
Wednesday 10 May 2017 – AGM, Annual Review of 2016 and presentation of awards
Wednesday 11 May 2016 – Annual Review, AGM and presentation of awards
2015 Awards presentation, AGM and review of 2014
2014 Awards Presentation and review of 2013
1 October 2012
1 September 2007
1 September 2002
Midlands Region Celebrates 2000
Rainbows’ 10th Birthday celebrations
Senior Section Snowdon climb
County Pantomime
County Flower Festival
Chernobyl Guides visited Birmingham Guides
1 September 1990
21st Birthday celebrations of Trefoil House
Rainbows started
75 years of Guiding with a Thanksgiving service in the Town Hall
Guide Shop Jubilee
1 May 1980
12 November 1978
County Jubilee Camp at Blackwell Court
Heritage week at Trefoil House
County Arts Festival
Girl Guides float in Lord Mayor’s procession
Visit by Princess Anne
21 November 1968
Re-opening of County Camp Site Hut
Trefoil House opened by Princess Margaret
Trefoil House
Opening of Trefoil Croft
Building fund appeal
Golden Jubilee Year – thinking Day Service in Birmingham Cathedral
1 January 1958
Opening of Birmingham Guide Shop, 256 Corporation Street
The Queen and Queen Mother visit Birmingham Guides
Service in Birmingham Cathedral to mark Baden Powell’s centenary
Coronation year
County Services and Parade to mark the Coronation
County Standard
International Camp at Beaconfield
County Rally at Highbury Park
Trefoil
15 December 1947
We need leaders!
Birmingham guides help Islington families to refurnish bombed houses
MBE Military Division awarded to Miss Phyllis Mary Thorpe
Pigeons released on Thinking Day from Birmingham Guide HQ
Birmingham Guides lend a hand with the evacuees
Pageant of Fitness held in Birmingham Town Hall
Guiders’ training camp
The official opening of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham
Visit of “Grey Owl”
Guiders’ training camp
Guides camping at Goodrest
Visit by the Duchess of York
HRH The Duchess of York launched “The National Guide Service”
Chief Guide visited the County Rally in Cannon Hill Park
118th Birmingham 1st Tyseley guide company
The official opening of Blucher St headquarters
County Rally colour party in Cannon Hill Park
New Girlguiding Birmingham HQ in Blucher Street purchased
£672.12.4d was raised by the county for the Girl Guides Imperial HQ building fund
The opening of “Our Chalet”. The University Rangers honoured with an invitation.
Birmingham Guides’ 21st Birthday
Birmingham County Camp at Yardley
20 October 1930
Birmingham Guide Shop opened at 17 Dale End
Birmingham Through the Ages held in the Town Hall
Princess Mary inspected Girl Guides at Cannon Hill Park
Birmingham Guide HQ opened at 101 Newhall Street
Rally at Cannon Hill Park
The Chief Guide met brownies at Cannon Hill Park
Highbury Hall, Graham Street became the Birmingham Guide HQ
Princess Mary visited Birmingham Guides
World Camp
Aston Brownies and their leaders
Visit by the Duke of York
3 Edmund Street, Birmingham
Forward badge
Fire Drill at the Birmingham Central Fire Station
22 July 1920
Guiders’ training camp
Brownie sports rally
Order of Merit
Thanks Badge
Chief Guide enrolled guiders at Beech Lawn
Greater Birmingham Rally
Rosebuds formed for younger girls
Girl Guides help the war effort
1st Aston Manor renamed 4th Birmingham Company
Olave Baden Powell came to Beech Lawn Rally, Edgbaston
Formation of Girl Guide Association
1st Aston Manor company started
Birmingham girls put on uniform and joined a scout rally in Warley Woods