Buxton brownies take protest to Girlguiding HQ over closure of Peak District activity centre

As previously reported, last month Girlguiding bosses announced their intention to shut the Glenbrook centre in Bamford at the end of 2023 – sparking uproar among units across north Derbyshire and beyond who use the facility for activity sessions and camping trips.

On Saturday, June 17, more than 300 leaders, guides, rangers, brownies, and rainbows gathered near the charity’s head office, opposite Buckingham Palace, to protest against the plans.

Julie Parker, from 6th Buxton Methodist Brownies, was among those staging an overnight vigil outside the building, before what they called a ‘Thunderation’ protest in St James’ Park.

After hand-delivering letters from her brownies to the charity’s chief executive Angela Salt, Julie said: “The training and activity centres are vital to providing adventure in a safe, friendly girl only space. When I took my promise I promised I would do my best, to be true to my myself.

“I could not say I'd done my best if I hadn't come down to support the campaign. I wanted to deliver the letters my brownies had written as we regularly use Glenbrook.”

Campaign supporters say the decision has been made without adequate consultation with Girlguiding’s 300,000 members, and very little information made public which might justify the closures.

That message has garnered significant support from national politicians and media attention, such as the BBC Radio 4 programme Woman’s Hour on Friday, June 16.

Lincolnshire Guide leader Aimiee Schofield told the programme about her four-year-old daughter's recent visit to Glenbrook and the new friends she made there.

Aimee said: “We were the only two from our unit and we were adopted by a brownie pack – and the most amazing thing is that by the end of the day the leaders of that brownie pack were saying you would have thought that she'd known these brownies beforehand and that you'd have thought that they'd have known each other forever.

“There's a sisterhood in Girlguiding that you don't get anywhere else where you can go to these national centres, meet people from all over the country, and make friends in a fantastic way.”

More than 31,000 people have signed a petition against the closure of the centres, and a further 16,000 against the closure of the charity’s century-old expatriate arm British Girlguiding Overseas (BGO).

A spokesperson for the campaign said: “We were delighted to see so many people at the protest this weekend. We didn’t expect to see so many young members.

“Some gave short speeches explaining what the centres meant to them and how their closure would affect their Girlguiding experience. Although there was a very fun, light-hearted and party atmosphere there were extremely moving and poignant moments too.”

They added: “Girlguiding has given girls and leaders all the tools and skills they need to run a campaign like this through their protesting, campaigning, and speaking out badges. We hope Girlguiding shows girls that these empowering actions do work and carefully reviews the decision to close the activity centres and BGO.”

To sign the petition, go to tinyurl.com/yu676xeu. For campaign updates, join facebook.com/groups/257354313454907.

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