The Story of Stepps
Community Organisations
Guides & Brownies
The 1st Stepps Girl Guides (37th Lanarkshire) was founded in 1921. At a meeting of the Local Association, on 15th September of that year, District Commissioner Mrs M.I.McBain, of Mount Harriet House, intimated the commencement of a "Troop" consisting of 3 Officers, 20 Girl Guides and 9 Brownies. The first Captain was Miss Annie M.Johnston of "Kinsale", Whitehill Avenue. Also in the new Company was Miss Annie L.Johnston of "Sprinkell", Cardowan Road, who later became a Guider and served in the Local Association for some forty years. Miss Jean Gray of "Marionvale", Anniesdale Avenue, was Mother Owl to the Brownies. At first the meeting place was the Lesser Hall of the U.F. Church (later St Andrew's), but the Local Association soon became actively engaged in raising funds to build a Guide Hall. A garden fete, whist drives, concerts and other events resulted in the accumulation of a substantial amount of money. Lease of a site adjacent to Whitehill Farm (still occupied by the Guides to this day) was secured in 1923, from Col. Alexander Sprot, the local landowner. An ex-army hut was purchased for £72, plus the cost (£12) of transportation to the site. Local tradesmen Duguid and Wilkieson built the foundations for £22 5s and erected the hut for £4 10s. The official opening of the new headquarters was on 13th December 1924, by Mrs J.T.Fergie of Hamilton, County Commissioner for Lanarkshire. At the outset a barrel was provided for water, but in 1925 piped water and sewerage facilities were installed, also mains gas. Electricity was provided in 1935, the cost being met by Mr Crystal of Whitehill Avenue (a Director of Pettigrew & Stephen, Glasgow). Over the years the "Guide Hut", as it has always been known, has been modernised and maintained by the Local Association, now known as "Friends of Guiding".
 The 1st Stepps Company was active from 1921 until 1984, when it was suspended. On 28th May 1933 its colours were dedicated at a service in St Andrew's Church. In 1944 an influx of members led to the formation of a second company. It was registered on 3rd February 1945 as the 2nd Stepps District Girl Guides (37th Lanarkshire). Miss Grace Kerr and Miss Nan Boyle were the Guiders. Miss Boyle remained in charge until 1968 when she was appointed Assistant District Commissioner (Training) for Lanarkshire. From 1975 until 1985 she was County Commissioner for North Lanarkshire. For a brief period, 1977-1980, there was a 3rd Stepps Company. On 17th September 1950 the Colours of the 2nd Company were dedicated by the Rev. A.MacFarlan, at a service in Whitehill Church. During the 1950s and 1960s the two guide companies camped together every year, at home and overseas locations. In 1960 Miss Pamela Turnbull transferred to Chryston to train as a Guider, while Miss Jean Sutherland transferred from Chryston to Stepps to train as a Cadet. Both in course of time became District Commissioners, Miss Sutherland earlier having been Unit Guider of the 2nd Stepps (from 1969). Before then Mrs Ethel Allan had led the Unit, until becoming District Commissioner, from 1969 until 1973.
Turning to the Brownies, Mrs Marion Todd (nee Lind), who was a founder Brownie and later for some years Brown Owl, was appointed a District Commissioner in 1943, following on from Mrs Stenhouse of Garnkirk House. By that year the 1st Pack had grown to 60 strong, and so a 2nd Pack was formed to serve the Cardowan area. It met in the Scout Hall in Cardowan Drive - the most convenient location in the "black-out" conditions of the War. A 3rd Pack was formed in 1972. On 22nd May 1985 Pennants for all three Packs were donated by Miss Boyle and dedicated at a service in Stepps Primary School, by the Rev. F.Muir and Rev. H.Flack of St Joseph's. The 1st Pack was suspended in 1988, but the other two have continued down to the present time (1995). The 1990s brought the advent of Rainbow Guides for the 5-7 age group; the 1st Stepps Rainbow Guide Unit was formed in 1990, followed by the 2nd Unit in 1994. A Ranger Guide Unit has come and gone over the decades; in 1992 it became active once again.
Over the years there have been many changes. In 1994 the Girl Guide Association became the Guide Association and a new badge introduced. Training programmes have been updated several times. The uniform changed in 1990 to a "Mix & Match" outfit, with variations to suit different activities and preferences. However, the basic ideas of the Movement remain in the Patrol system, the commitment to the Promise, enjoyment of fun in shared experiences, and service to the motto "Be Prepared".
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