IT was 50 years ago that two ladies, Barbara Pratt (formerly Fancett) and Brenda Fowler, started a Brownie Pack for girls in Cheriton Fitzpaine.

The Pack is still thriving, and has Rainbows as well.

To celebrate the occasion, a Tea Party was held in Cheriton Fitzpaine Parish Hall, with former Brownies and leaders invited.

On display were scrapbooks from the early and later years.

Several village ladies (and husbands) came to the event, and enjoyed hearing about the Brownies and Rainbows' current work, and trying to recognise people in the scrapbooks.

Nowadays, the girls are very concerned with the environment and the world around them, but still enjoy the sort of games and activities which their predecessors did.

They enjoy sleepovers, attend an annual parade service in the Methodist Church, and are part of the Remembrance Service in the Parish Church.

They also enter the Spring and Annual Shows organised by the Garden Club and are very much part of village life.

Mary Nunn