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Brownies fight to keep 'too old' leader
Tim Stewart06.10.09
A Brownie pack is fighting to keep its leader after Girl Guide chiefs ordered her to quit her voluntary post for being too old.
Bridget Stevenson, "Brown Owl" to the 15th Hammersmith Pack, was told to step down after 20 years' service when she turned 65 last month.
The brownies, aged seven to 10, and their parents have protested outside the association's head office. The pack will have to close if a replacement cannot be found.
Mrs Stevenson, a grandmother of four, said: "I don't feel old. I keep fit. I still work. With such a shortage of volunteers, you would think Girl Guiding UK would want to hold onto people like me."
Fiona Todorova, 43, whose daughters, Bryony, 10, and Freya, eight, belong to the pack, said: "Bridget is incredibly committed and the children adore her. She's more fit than lots of people my age."
Andrew Harrop, head of policy for charity Age Concern and Help the Aged, said: "Judgments about the suitability of volunteers should be based on people's individual merits not their date of birth."
A Girlguiding UK spokesman said it was reviewing its retirement policy.
Reader views (7)
If this post is based on volunteers how can they get rid of her? She has supported this organisation for years and then they turn around and say thanks... but no thanks. Surely it is up to each brownie group concerned to keep or get rid of their own brown owls as she is the face of the organisation. If they just say you are not wanted anymore then it is up to them to put someone else in her place.
Oh, they can't... she is a volunteer.
Stupid rules.
- Rachroo, London
In this country the Girls Scouts have become little more than a political arm of the National Organization for Women and work actively to promote that organization's agenda.
- Trunk, US
Our 2 brownie packs at St Monica's in Palmers Green which consist of 60 girls (and a very long waiting list)are also facing closure as our 'Brown Owl' turned 65 a few weeks ago and as with Bridget Stevenson was told she had to step down but was told she was allowed to help occasionally and perhaps do the accounts!!
- Clare, Palmers Green, London
You are only as young as you feel and I dont think they should be looking at her birth certificate. If she can do the job, wants to do the job then LET HER DO THE JOB. My daughter's guide pack has an 'older' Leader who is probably over 65 and I have never seen anyone so committed and 'gung ho'. My daughter has a great time - in fact better than with the last guide pack she belonged to where the leader was in her late 20s and did nothing...... I rest my case.
- Bj, Australia
Please keep Bridget in. What a wonderful lady!
- Kerry, Hammersmith/Fulham
I've said this before and I'll say it again, rampant ageists could well be committing their children or their children's children to an early grave.
- Steve, Brentford
When the Conservatives get in she'll have one last year!
- Roz, France
