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Foxlease is a training and activity centre of
Girlguiding Girlguiding is the operating name of The Guide Association, previously named The Girl Guides Association and is the national guiding organisation of the United Kingdom. It is the UK's largest girl-only youth organisation. Girlguiding is a char ...
near
Lyndhurst, Hampshire Lyndhurst is a large village and civil parish situated in the New Forest National Park in Hampshire, England. Serving as the administrative capital of the New Forest, it is a popular tourist attraction, with many independent shops, art gallerie ...
, UK. The Foxlease estate has been owned and managed by the Guides since 1922. The estate is and the main house is known as The Princess Mary House, in honour of her marriage. Foxlease hosted the Guides' Third International Conference, the Sixth World Conference and also the first World Camp.


The Property


The Princess Mary House

The Princess Mary House, a
Georgian Georgian may refer to: Common meanings * Anything related to, or originating from Georgia (country) ** Georgians, an indigenous Caucasian ethnic group ** Georgian language, a Kartvelian language spoken by Georgians **Georgian scripts, three scrip ...
house renamed in honour of Princess Mary's marriage, still has
Adam Adam; el, Ἀδάμ, Adám; la, Adam is the name given in Genesis 1-5 to the first human. Beyond its use as the name of the first man, ''adam'' is also used in the Bible as a pronoun, individually as "a human" and in a collective sense as " ...
fireplaces and a
Strawberry Hill Gothic Strawberry Hill House—often called simply Strawberry Hill—is a Gothic Revival architecture, Gothic Revival villa that was built in Twickenham, London, by Horace Walpole (1717–1797) from 1749 onward. It is a typical example of the "#Strawb ...
lounge. Individual rooms have been adopted by Guides from around the world and personalised by them. Modernisation has created conference and residential facilities. These including training and meeting rooms, and accommodation for overnight stays.


Princess Margaret Lodge

Princess Margaret Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon, (Margaret Rose; 21 August 1930 – 9 February 2002) was the younger daughter of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, and the younger sister and only sibling of Queen Elizabeth  ...
Lodge was built to replace Beaverbrook Lodge. It accommodates self-catering groups and there is disabled access on both floors. It was opened in 2005 by
The Countess of Wessex Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, (born Sophie Helen Rhys-Jones, 20 January 1965) is a member of the British royal family. She is married to Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, the youngest sibling of King Charles III. Sophie grew up in Brenchle ...
, then President of Girlguiding


The Coach House

The Coach house is a
listed building In the United Kingdom, a listed building or listed structure is one that has been placed on one of the four statutory lists maintained by Historic England in England, Historic Environment Scotland in Scotland, in Wales, and the Northern Irel ...
, constructed in the 18th century. It provides self-catering accommodation.


The Barn

The Barn is self-catering accommodation. Early photos show a thatched roof, but this barn was burnt down in 1958 and has since been replaced with a modern building.


Campsites

There are several campsites at Foxlease, including Cedars, Katherine Wilson, Birches, Appletree and Bridges. Most of the sites have a shelter with a toilet and shower block. Most of the campsites close at the end of September for the winter, but Katherine Wilson and Appletree are kept open.


Activity facilities

There is a 9m
climbing wall A climbing wall is an artificially constructed wall with grips for hands and feet, usually used for indoor climbing, but sometimes located outdoors. Some are brick or wooden constructions, but on most modern walls, the material most often used i ...
, a low
rope course A ropes course is a challenging outdoor personal development and team building activity which usually consists of high and/or low elements. Low elements take place on the ground or above the ground. High elements are usually constructed in tr ...
, a high rope course and a covered, heated
swimming pool A swimming pool, swimming bath, wading pool, paddling pool, or simply pool, is a structure designed to hold water to enable Human swimming, swimming or other leisure activities. Pools can be built into the ground (in-ground pools) or built ...
.
Kayaking Kayaking is the use of a kayak for moving over water. It is distinguished from canoeing by the sitting position of the paddler and the number of blades on the paddle. A kayak is a low-to-the-water, canoe-like boat in which the paddler sits fac ...
and
rafting Rafting and whitewater rafting are recreational outdoor activities which use an inflatable raft to navigate a river or other body of water. This is often done on whitewater or different degrees of rough water. Dealing with risk is often a ...
facilities are also available. There are also nature trails.


History

Henry Weyland Powell (1787–1840), educated at Trinity College, Cambridge 1807, joined the Grenadier Guards in 1808, served in the
Peninsular War The Peninsular War (1807–1814) was the military conflict fought in the Iberian Peninsula by Spain, Portugal, and the United Kingdom against the invading and occupying forces of the First French Empire during the Napoleonic Wars. In Spain ...
, and as a lieutenant at
Quatre Bras Quatre Bras (, French for crossroads; literally "four arms") is a hamlet in the municipality of Genappe, Wallonia, Belgium. It lies on the crossroad of the Charleroi-Brussels road (currently named N5) and the Nivelles-Namur road south of Genappe ...
and Waterloo. He was appointed High Sheriff of Hampshire in 1834, and was described as "of Foxlease, Hants". He was buried at Fulham Cemetery. His father Thomas Powell (1735–1820) was in partnership with his brother David (1725–1810). Another brother was James Powell (1737–1824); all three (and another brother, Baden) were children of David Powell (1695–1784) and Susannah Thistlethwayte, née Baden (1696–1762). David and James were the grandfathers of the Rev. Prof Baden Powell, who was the father of
Robert Baden-Powell Lieutenant-General Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell, ( ; (Commonly pronounced by others as ) 22 February 1857 – 8 January 1941) was a British Army officer, writer, founder and first Chief Scout of the worl ...
, founder of
Scouting Scouting, also known as the Scout Movement, is a worldwide youth movement employing the Scout method, a program of informal education with an emphasis on practical outdoor activities, including camping, woodcraft, aquatics, hiking, backpacking ...
.


Acquisition by Girlguiding UK

Some time after the marriage in 1906 of Armar Dayrolles Saunderson (1872–1952) from Ireland to the
American American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, pe ...
Anne Archbold (1886–1968), they bought Foxlease. But the marriage turned sour, and in 1921, Foxlease was put up for sale. Hampshire Girl Guides asked for and received permission to camp there and several training weeks were held there during 1921. In January 1922, upon her divorce, Anne Saunderson née Archbold, now the owner of Foxlease, fled the country with their children, wishing to sever all ties with Britain lest her husband obtain custody of their children, so she wrote to the Executive Committee of the Girl Guides Association, offering to give them the house and to be a training centre for Guiders. Despite the suitability of the property and the need for such a venue, the committee's considered opinion was that the Guides did not have sufficient resources for the upkeep and it would not be wise to accept the gift. The offer coincided with the preparations for the marriage of Princess Mary, who happened to be president of the Girl Guides Association. Less than a week before the Royal wedding, Rose Kerr was contacted by
Lady Mary Trefusis Lady Mary Trefusis, née Lygon (26 February 1869–12 September 1927) was an English hymnwriter and courtier. She was also known as Lady Mary Forbes-Trefusis. She was a daughter of the 6th Earl Beauchamp and the wife of Lt.-Col. Henry He ...
(
Lady of the Bedchamber Lady of the Bedchamber is the title of a lady-in-waiting holding the official position of personal attendant on a British queen regnant or queen consort. The position is traditionally held by the wife of a peer. They are ranked between the Mis ...
to Queen Mary), because
Olave Baden-Powell Olave St Clair Baden-Powell, Baroness Baden-Powell (''née'' Soames; 22 February 1889 – 25 June 1977) was the first Chief Guide for Britain and the wife of Robert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting and co-founder o ...
, the World Chief Guide, was not in London. Lady Trefusis was on the committee of a fund to which all the Marys of the
British Empire The British Empire was composed of the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates, and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom and its predecessor states. It began with the overseas possessions and trading posts esta ...
had contributed, for a wedding present to the princess. The princess insisted that she could only accept a portion of the fund as a personal gift. Trefusis proposed to Kerr that the remainder be spent buying a training centre for the Girl Guides, a cause close to the princess's heart. Kerr suggested that the fund could furnish and equip Foxlease, but this was not immediately accepted as the fund wanted a place that would be associated with Princess Mary's name. As the matter had to be settled by the next day, Kerr gave Trefusis the phone number of
Pax Hill Pax Hill (Peace Hill), near Bentley, Hampshire, England, was the family home of Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the Scouting, Scout movement, and his wife, Olave, for over twenty years during the 20th century. It is located at the end of a half ...
, the Baden-Powells' home. Olave Baden-Powell was in bed with 'flu when she received the phone call, but she went to see Princess Mary at
Buckingham Palace Buckingham Palace () is a London royal residence and the administrative headquarters of the monarch of the United Kingdom. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is often at the centre of state occasions and royal hospitality. It ...
the next day. Mrs Saunderson was consulted and the outcome was that her gift was accepted. The house was renamed The Princess Mary House and Princess Mary gave £6,000 from the fund to furnish and equip the house. Later she gave £4,000, half the proceeds of the exhibition of her wedding gifts, towards the upkeep of the property.
Alice Behrens Alice Muriel Gaddum (''née'' Behrens; 23 April 1885 – 28 June 1952)''England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1966, 1973-1995'' was a British advocate of Girl Guiding and is remembered chiefly for h ...
was appointed the first Guider-in-Charge. Each room was adopted by Guides from a country, county of Britain or school and embellished and furnished by them.
Helen Storrow Helen Osborne Storrow (September 22, 1864 – November 12, 1944) was a prominent American philanthropist, early Girl Scout leader, and chair of the World Committee of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) for eight years ...
gave the money to equip the small lodge and
Juliette Low Juliette Gordon Low (October 31, 1860 – January 17, 1927) was the American founder of Girl Scouts of the USA. Inspired by the work of Lord Baden-Powell, founder of Boy Scouts, she joined the Girl Guide movement in England, forming her own gr ...
stayed in it for several weeks to get it in order. Senator and Mrs
William A. Clark William Andrews Clark Sr. (January 8, 1839March 2, 1925) was an American politician and entrepreneur, involved with mining, banking, and railroads. Biography Clark was born in Connellsville, Pennsylvania. He moved with his family to Iowa in 1 ...
furnished the Garden Room in memory of their daughter, after whom Camp Andree Clark (now part of the
Edith Macy Conference Center Edith Macy Conference Center is a conference and training facility owned by the Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) and is located in Briarcliff Manor, New York. The facility lies just outside Briarcliff Manor's boundaries, in the town of Mount Plea ...
) in the US is named. Foxlease was opened on 2 June 1922. The Second International Conference was in session in
Cambridge Cambridge ( ) is a university city and the county town in Cambridgeshire, England. It is located on the River Cam approximately north of London. As of the 2021 United Kingdom census, the population of Cambridge was 145,700. Cambridge bec ...
at that time, so 24 Guiders from the conference visited for a short training course.


Third International Conference

The Third International Conference was held at the same time as the first World Camp.


World Camp

The first World Camp took place from 16–24 July 1924. Olave Baden-Powell and
Olivia Burges Millicent Olivia Rawlins (''née'' Burges; 19 September 1892 – 3 August 1930) was a British Scouting and Girl Guide and Girl Scout, Guiding advocate. She was secretary to the Girl Guides' and Girl Scouts' first World Camp (Guiding), World Camp. ...
formulated the idea in September 1923, during the latter's stay at Pax Hill. The original invitation was for six Guides and one Guider from each country where there were Guides. However, this was modified to accommodate those who were willing and able to send more. In total 1100 girls and women attended, 600 of which were from overseas. Forty countries were represented.


Sixth World Conference

The Sixth World Conference was held at Foxlease from 5–12 July 1930.
Helen Gwynne-Vaughan Dame Helen Charlotte Isabella Gwynne-Vaughan, (née Fraser; 21 January 1879 – 26 August 1967) was a prominent English botanist and mycologist. During the First World War, she served in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps and then as Commandant ...
chaired this conference at which the constitution of the
World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS ) is a global association supporting the Girl Guides, female-oriented and female-only Guiding and Scouting organizations in 152 countries. It was established in 1928 in Parád, Hungary, ...
, drawn up at the previous international conference, was settled. Olave Baden-Powell was also unanimously voted World Chief Guide by the twenty-eight countries recognised by the World Bureau. This conference also approved the idea of a World Flag, an idea originally proposed by South Africa some years earlier. The first International Trainers' Conference was held simultaneously with the World Conference.


Gifts from around the Globe


New Zealand

In 1926, each member of the New Zealand Guide Association gave one penny. This bought a wooden inlaid writing desk made of New Zealand timber which was given to Foxlease.


Plans for the future

Plans are being drawn up for the creation of a "Museum of Guiding" to hold the extensive Guiding archives currently in store.


See also

*
Broneirion Broneirion is a Victorian house and grounds on the hillside across the River Severn from the village of Llandinam. It was built by Welsh industrialist David Davies. It has been used as a training centre for Girl Guides since 1946 and has bee ...
*
Edith Macy Conference Center Edith Macy Conference Center is a conference and training facility owned by the Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) and is located in Briarcliff Manor, New York. The facility lies just outside Briarcliff Manor's boundaries, in the town of Mount Plea ...
*
Gilwell Park Gilwell Park is a camp site and activity centre in East London located in the Sewardstonebury area of Waltham Abbey, within Epping Forest, near the border with Chingford. The site is owned by The Scout Association, is used by Scouting and Gu ...
* Waddow Hall


References


External links


Foxlease page from Girlguiding
{{SSSIs Hampshire biological Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Hampshire Girlguiding Places associated with Scouting