MEMBERS of Alton Trefoil Guild celebrated the group’s 50th anniversary on with a pop-up exhibition on the history of the Guild at the Allen Gallery, and a party at the Social Bowls Club on Chawton Park Road.

Nearly 60 Guild members from Alton and across north Hampshire enjoyed a buffet lunch followed by the Belarus Challenge. Members took part in a four-fold task to fund raise to help a group of Belarussian Guides attend a Hampshire International Camp later this year.

The ladies attempted a song in Russian, a national folk dance from the area, a taste of food – rye bread, honey and cucumber – and a word search on a Belarussian theme. Members could achieve the challenge badge or a supporter’s badge.

The Belarus link mascot – called ‘Pod’ (the first three letters of the Belarussian name for friend – was introduced to everyone.

After the raffle, the answers were given to the table quiz and the table flower arrangements were distributed, and the party ended with the cutting of the birthday cake by Doreen Atkins, Sue Pond and Pat Wood, all founder members of the Guild. The occasion concluded in traditional Girlguiding fashion with the singing of Taps.

Across the UK there are more than 1,100 Trefoil Guilds – some meet every week, others less frequently. There’s even an Internet Guild, as well as Guilds in other countries around the world.

Open to anyone aged over 18, the Trefoil Guild is a sister organisation to Girlguiding and its members agreed to support the guiding ethos, including the pledge to help one another.

Many members pass on their skills and knowledge to local Guiding units, from helping Brownies work toward a badge to preparing older girls for a greenfield camping adventure.

Plus there are plenty of opportunities for members to try something new, take on a new personal challenge, and to escape the daily routine.

Alton’s Guild began life in a front room on Park Close Road, and grew to host continuous monthly meetings at Alton Convent and, more recently, at the Salvation Army hall, providing members with a chance to share their affection and caring for the Guiding movement and to take on new personal challenges.

Alton has a link with a Guild in Bunbury in New South Wales, Australia.

For more details, visit trefoilguild.co.uk.