Brown Owl 'too old' to lead pack

Bridget Stevenson faces giving up pack leadership after 20 years

The Girl Guide movement is to review its policy on retiring leaders at the age of 65 after a pack in west London begged it to keep their Brown Owl on.

Chief guide Liz Burnley gave the undertaking after Bridget Stevenson reached 65 and faced being forced from her voluntary post after 20 years.

The rule was introduced 30 years ago to encourage recruitment of younger women.

"I've still got lots of energy and want to stay on," said Ms Stevenson, who has fought breast cancer.

'Really fun'

"Friends of my own age still do lots of interesting things."

In a letter to headquarters, her pack has urged Girlguiding UK to reconsider the mandatory retirement age.

"She's really fun," said one member.

"She's nice and friendly and we don't want her to go," said another.

Dame Joan Bakewell, the government-appointed Voice of Older People, said: "The policy of retirement at 65 is just crazy if you are enthusiastic and want to carry on."

The chief guide confirmed the policy was under review.

"Society moves on, and we will look again at the whole situation," she said.

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