A CATALOGUE of disasters has made life difficult for a Guide unit planning their silver jubilee celebrations.

First a fire, then floods, destroyed records listing former members of the 25-years-old XII Apostles', Westleigh, troupe which is staging a celebration knees-up next month in the Nel Pan Club.

As a result Guide Leader Lesley Garvey has appealed to the Journal for help.

Lesley said: "The Guides want a proper celebration, but due to our records being lost we are unable to contact all our old friends.

"I started with the unit as Snowy Owl 20 years ago and took over the Guides in 1984, so hundreds of girls must have passed through my hands.

"The daughters of earlier members are now in the unit, so I'm on the second round."

Lesley, whose daughter Cheryl is assistant Guider, and grand daughter Tabitha is in the troupe, said a founder of the unit Pat Hoy, who is now Brownie Guider at the Sacred Heart, Leigh, would be at the event, but she wanted as many old girls as possible to join the 17 Guides and two young leaders who make up the present troupe on the big day, March 23.

To book a place contact Lesley on 01942 262135.

The Guide Association is also looking for women to train as leaders in the Westleigh and Bickershaw areas. They will be responsible for the following agegroups -- Rainbows (5-7), Brownie (7-10) and Guides (10-16).

Experience is not necessary as training will be given to all volunteers. Anyone interested should ring 01942 262135.