AS the 1st Eastnor Brownies celebrate their 50th anniversary, a new book has been published which tells of the group's foundation back in 1967.

It then follows the group's engaging story to the first decade of the present century.

The book, "1st Eastnor Brownies ‘Simply the Best’! 1967-2005", is based in the memories of two ladies, Jackie Bursnell and Catherine Morton Lloyd, who said: "This

is a celebration of the unique story of the 1st Eastnor Brownies started 50 years ago.

"In 1967 Finola Lady Somers from Eastnor Castle asked local volunteer leaders Jacky Bursnell and Christine Smith to set up a Brownie Pack in Eastnor, and Jacky went on to run the 1st Eastnor Pack until 2005.

"Going to Lundy Island to make a cup of tea; winning the George Hobby trophy in the Ledbury Carnival; a holiday on a canal boat and performing at the Ledbury Market Theatre were just a few of the very varied and memorable events that the Brownies took part in during that period and which feature in the book."

Miss Bursnell was born and brought up in the Ledbury area and already helped at Eastnor Sunday School and she was a youth leader at Ledbury Baptist Sunday School and Warrior meetings, before starting the pack.

She said: "It started with fourteen Brownies meeting in Eastnor Primary School and soon there was a waiting list of girls wanting to join. I couldn’t believe how it would grow and the hundred’s of girls who benefited from being a Brownie. It was a lot of hard work, but it was a delight to see the pleasure it brought to so many people.’

Catherine Morton Lloyd was a Girl Guide and a Ranger Guide in Ledbury, which is how she came to help with the pack and assisted Miss Bursnell for many years.

She said the book had been "a labour of love" and it had taken many hours to compile. including gathering together around 600 photographs.

The book: “1st Eastnor Brownies ‘Simply the Best’! 1967-2005” - Personal Memories by Catherine Morton Lloyd and Jacky Bursnell, is available from local bookshops and through Amazon. ISBN-10: 1543282644/ISBN-13: 978-1543282641