FOR 25 years Jill Watson has run the Brownies in South Zeal and has been associated with Guiding for 30 years.

When she started, her husband Peter looked after their family every Monday evening so that Jill could run the pack.

Hundreds of young girls have benefited from her determination down the years.

Four years after it started, Pat Thomson came forward to assist and has given 21 years to helping the Brownie pack grow.

As Brown Owl, Jill inspired Brownies by encouraging participation in a wide range of activities and through her love of music and singing.

Tawny Owl Pat provided administrative support and guidance for the young girls, and brought to the pack her love of the countryside.

On an evening of happiness tinged with sadness, the present pack sat with Brownies of earlier years at a meeting attended by Benita King, district commissioner, to say farewell to the two women.

They presented them with retirement gifts of porcelain owls, flowers and a scrapbook of drawings in which each Brownie had drawn a self-portrait and added a personal caption.

Jill?s last duty as Brown Owl was to present a shield to Kasia Jewel, for best achievements of the term.

l THE 1st South Zeal Scout Group has had a busy and enjoyable year. The Explorer scouts have been working towards their Duke of Edinburgh awards and all eligible Cub Scouts achieved their Chief Scout Silver Award.

The group now also has a full colony of Beavers.

At their annual meeting, group scout leader Caroline Boother decided to step down and concentrate her energies on the scout section.

Someone with administrative skills and who would be prepared to help with the administration of the section is being sought to take her place.

Anyone who would like any information on this role should contact Caroline Boother on 01837 840039 or Sue Trussler on 01837 659743.