Girlguiding is still running in the family

Three generations of one family are now all in Girl-guiding, after a five-year-old enrolled 32 years after her grandmother had watched her mother do the same thing.

Alison Hope started the Blackfen Rainbow unit 32 years ago, and one of her first tasks was to enrol her own daughter, Louise.

Now, 32 years later, Louise, who is leader in charge of the unit, has enrolled her daughter, Olivia Matthews, as a member of Blackfen Rainbow Unit.

Her mother, Louise Matthews, was enrolled by her own mother Alison 32 years ago after taking in her first 10 five-year-old girls.

Now, 32 years later Alison was able to take part in the enrolment of her granddaughter.

Louise, who is also Commissioner for Lamorbey District Guides, said: “It was a lovely moment to have my mum there to see me enrol Olivia at the exact same spot that I made my promise when my mum took in her first intake of Rainbows after starting the unit all those years ago.”

Alison said: “It was a very emotional and proud moment to see Olivia make her promise to her mummy just as her mummy had done to me when she was five.

“I am still involved and enjoy Guiding and am happy to be called upon from time to time to help out other units.”