History of Trefoil Guild

Help us fill in the blanks - do you have pictures that can help us illustrate our history? Please email us: trefoilguild@girlguiding.org.uk

After hundreds of Girl Scouts paraded at the Crystal Palace rally, Baden-Powell resolved to form a separate movement. The 'Scheme for Girl Guides' was published in November.

Agnes Baden-Powell opened a headquarters office and began the task of registering the many units and individuals transferring their registrations from Scouts.

Ex-Guides began to form unofficial groups with the purpose of maintaining contact with their old Guide companies.

An organisation named 'Old Guides' was formed.

The Girl Guides Association amalgamated the various groups of ‘Old Guides’ and the name ‘Trefoil Guild’ was adopted.

Guilds were first registered with Trefoil Guild.

The Trefoil Guild, while remaining part of the guiding movement, was given recognition as a self-governing, self-financing body and became responsible for former Guides in the United Kingdom and overseas territories.

The first constitution was ratified and a President appointed. The central office was established and a governing body, consisting of a Central Council and a Central Executive Committee, was formed. The Girl Guides Association gave the Trefoil Guild an initial grant of £1,500, and it became financially independent.

The Trefoil Guild launched a Holiday Fund for Guiders and Guild members in need of rest and recuperation.

The minimum age for membership of the Trefoil Guild was lowered to 18 from 21.

The Trefoil Guild brought its administration into line with that of The Girl Guides Association. Country and region advisers, later known as Chairmen were appointed.

LINK International Fellowship, devised by the Trefoil Guild, was established to enable young adults to remain in contact with the Guide and Scout movements.

LINK approached the Trefoil Guild about the future of LINK members, male and female, who reached the LINK upper age limit of 30. The possibility of absorbing these young adults into the Trefoil Guild was discussed.

A resolution was passed to admit men into The Trefoil Guild.

A training scheme was introduced to help Trefoil Guild members with planning and administration.

The Trefoil Guild raised over £51,000 towards the appeal for Pax Lodge study bedrooms.

The title 'President of the Trefoil Guild' was changed to 'Chairman of the Trefoil Guild'. A new office of President was created, the first holder being the Honourable Betty Clay, daughter of Lord and Lady Baden-Powell.

The Trefoil Guild celebrated its Golden Jubilee. The Guide Promise was revised, and a new logo and design for the promise badge, now shared by all members of The Guide Association and the Trefoil Guild, was introduced.

Lady Juliet Townsend succeeded Betty Clay as President.

The Guide Law was revised and The Girl Guides Association was renamed The Guide Association.

A new handbook, entitled ‘Welcome to the Trefoil Guild’ was produced.

On the death of Betty Clay, Lady Juliet Townsend became Patron of the Trefoil Guild and Jane Garside became president.

A range of Trefoil Guild occasional wear was produced for sale through Girlguiding UK Trading Service. The Trefoil magazine changed to 3 full colour editions a year with a new designer and printer.

The Trefoil Guild became a corporate member of Girlguiding UK.

'Welcome to the Trefoil Guild' was updated and renamed Trefoil Guild Handbook. LINK was disbanded.

The national Internet Guild was launched. Brenda Parke became president and the Constitution of the Trefoil Guild was revised. Gillian Ellis finished her role as editor of The Trefoil magazine.

Girlguiding UK marked 100 years of guiding with Trefoil Guild members sharing a large part in the celebrations. The Trefoil Guild Handbook was revised. The design and publication of The Trefoil was moved to Girlguiding UK.

Trefoil Guild withdrew membership from the International Scout and Guide Fellowship.

Associate membership of the Trefoil Guild was discontinued.

The Constitution of the Trefoil Guild was revised. Trefoil Guild celebrated our 70th anniversary. The Voyage Award was launched with a pilot programme in Anglia.

The Trefoil Guild Handbook was updated. Girlguiding UK marked 100 years of Brownies with Trefoil Guild members enjoying the celebrations.

Liz Burnley was appointed as national president of Trefoil Guild. Trefoil overseas partnerships: adventure with zest (TOPAZ) project was launched.

First TOPAZ team completed a project with the Russian Association of Girl Guides (RADS). Introduction of the Thanks and Recognition Badge and Certificate pack. Newhall Publishing took over production of The Trefoil magazine.

Subscriptions became available to pay online. Change in Constitution and removal of role of Council member. Executive Board renamed ‘Board of Trustees’.

Trefoil Guild celebrated it's 75th birthday - celebrate together - with a special Annual Meeting event in Birmingham. Riding for the Disable Association (RDA) named as charity to be supported during 75th birthday year. Various activities undertaken to celebrate 75 years of Trefoil Guild including a cruise on the Danube, a 75k Walk and the creation of a Trefoil Guild rose. Trefoil Guild handbook was revised and made available as an online resource.

STARS challenge introduced in March. Sponsoring of the RDA Countryside Challenge continued. RDA named their outdoor arena at the RDA National HQ and training centre as ‘The Trefoil Guild Arena’ and we presented a cehque to the RDA at our Annual Meeting in Southport for £113,875.86. 4 trustees and the Trefoil Guild office manager were presented to HRH Princess Anne in recognition of Trefoil support to the RDA. 

Eileen Martin was appointed as national chair in June. The Trefoil International Opportunities weekend (TRIO) took place identifying the 2020 TOPAZ team to Lesotho. The Trefoil gathering, which is held every 4 years, took place in October.

2020 was one of the most challenging years Trefoil Guild has had to face. Due to the Coronavirus pandemic all our meetings both locally and nationally had to be cancelled, even the Annual Meeting. Trefoil members, however, did not let the situation phase them. Members learnt new skills in social media; virtual Zoom, Skype and Teams meetings; and members have stayed in touch and kept each others’ spirits up and supported each other. For those without access to technical equipment, newsletters, leaflets and The Trefoil magazine have kept the spirit of Trefoil Guild burning bright.

The Trefoil Guild annual meeting was held virtually, with a video version of the event presented by Eileen Martin, National Chair and Liz Burnley, National President, available to members on 21 June 2021. Members were encouraged to watch it together where possible and in line with local Covid laws and guidance. 

A mix of hybrid and online meetings continued throughout 2021 to accommodate changing rules, staying safe, and allowing all members to return to 'normal' when possible and at their own pace.

A booklet of poems, stories, and images from Trefoil members was produced by the programme team to commemorate the experiences of 2020.

Trefoil Walking Festival was held with walks around Ironbridge and Coalport near Shropshire. 

Jo Taylor ended her role as volunteer editor of The Trefoil magazine, and Judy Ellis took over. Frances Parrett finished in her role as volunteer deputy editor, and Jane Smart took on the role.

The first face to face annual meeting in 3 years was held in Llandudno, Wales. Liz Burnley finished her extended term of office as national president and Della Salway took over the role. The sponsorship of the RDA National Championships Countryside Challenge had its final year (some years were postponed due to Covid).

A TRIO event was held at Windy Sayles to determine future TOPAZ teams, in particular for a project in Thailand in 2023.

Trefoil members everywhere celebrate our 80th Anniversary. An 80th Anniversary challenge pack is available for all with challenges centred around community and action, and '80'. Everyone from Rainbows upwards is invited to take park and badges are sold by Girlguiding trading. Trefoil countries, regions, counties and guilds hold all sorts of events and enjoy lots of cake and activities.

Della Salway hosted her first Annual Meeting as national president of Trefoil Guild. The meeting was held in Glasgow at the Royal Concert Hall on 24 June 2023.

The TOPAZ Lesotho team were finally able to complete their project - delayed by Covid - to great success. A second TOPAZ trip will take place to Thailand in October 2023.

The Trefoil Walk 2023 took place in Okehampton in October, and the Trefoil Gathering which is held every 4 years took place at The Hayes in Swanwick in September.