Jubilee Bonfires, 1935

Theme(s): Flying High
Section(s): Guides
Decade: 1930s
Location: Lanarkshire, Scotland

My Guide company was attached to Dalziel North Church Motherwell. My Captain owned a country estate in Symington, Lanarkshire.

At the Jubilee celebrations for King George V and Queen Mary, bonfires were to be lit on hilltops around the country at midnight. One was to be lit on Tinto Hill near Symington by the Symington Scouts. Captain's father arranged transport from Motherwell for the Guides and it was a very new experience for us to sleep on the floor on hay or straw filled bags. This was no problem as after tea we had a long walk before starting to climb Tinto. One of the Guides assisted a Scout to light the fire. It was dark as we came home and walked back to the village hall which was our 'camp'.

Next morning after breakfast, we went to Captain's home where there was a private tennis court and some of us were introduced to the game. Her younger brothers brought large enamel pails of homemade lemonade and biscuits for us. Quite an experience! Many of the girls had never been in the country before and I am sure like me they would never forget the time we had thanks to our caring Captain and Guider.

Sadly I do not know if any of the Guides of that time are still alive. I am now 88.




















Anne Murray

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