Sir, There has been a long and proud tradition of Guiding in Tenby with Rainbow, Brownie, Guide and Ranger units ensuring that many local girls have had the opportunity to develop into bright, empowered young women who contribute much of value to society in general.

Many readers, too, will remember the long, hard fight to secure the Scout and Guide Hall for future generations.

Sadly, now, there is a real fear that the two Brownie Units will be forced to close due to the retirement of their leaders. If no-one is prepared to volunteer, hundreds of local little girls will miss out on the fun and fellowship we all remember from our Brownie days.

Today’s Guiding has certainly embraced the modern era, with a sparkling new programme, but it also holds on to those traditional values which today’s young women need more than ever. New badges such as Aviation and Zero Waste sit alongside the more familiar such as Baking, Craft and Performing. Every little girl likes winning badges! And who can forget the excitement of that first Pack Holiday or even, today, Brownie Camp? It is all part of growing up and it will be very sad if it is denied to the girls of Tenby in the future.

There must surely be many ex Brownies and Guides out there who would be willing to come along and help run these units. There is training available and we members of the local Trefoil Guild, still Guiding, are happy to form a rota to support. As long as there are one or two people willing to be there every week, Mums could make a rota too.

Apart from the immense value for the girls, leaders gain so much themselves. Strong, lifelong friendships are formed, and leaders often find hidden depths in themselves. But, most of all, it’s fun! In the words of the first Chief Guide Olave Baden Powell, ‘‘Guiding is fun. If it wasn’t fun I wouldn’t be in it.’ These words were often echoed by the much loved and much missed Doreen Hammersley, Guide, Commissioner, and, probably, always a Brownie at heart. She could tell you stories of Brownies in the war one minute and be off to try a zip wire the next.

Guiding provides so many opportunities far and wide. Girls and leaders from Tenby have travelled throughout Europe, Russia, USA, India, and Mexico with Guiding and the message that ‘Girls Can Do’ ensures that nothing is off limits. Many members of our Trefoil Guild have been Guiding for 50 years and we’re still having fun and still pushing the boundaries.

In four years’ time, 3rd Tenby Brownies will celebrate their centenary. Inspirational leaders like Kathleen Rees, Gertie Dinsdale, Margaret Peake and Kay Dagger have ensured the unit’s success over the years. What a shame if it dies now.

So come along, whether you’ve been a Guide or not. If you feel you’d like to give a little back to society and gain so much more along the way, call in on a Monday or a Wednesday to the Scout and Guide Hall at 5.30 pm, or ring Tenby 844256 to express an interest.

Members of Lower Landsker Trefoil Guild