What's happening with #Foxlease ?🧵 Foxlease is a very old estate in Lyndhurst, New Forest. The original house dates back to Tudor times, and the rest of the house was built up around it over the subsequent centuries. The #Girlguides have owned it since 1922. #Girlguiding
It was gifted to #Girlguiding by Anne Archbold & Princess Mary (then president of the association) as a training centre for guide leaders and a camping ground for guides - though even before it was handed over, Foxlease had an extensive and interesting history.
In 1924, Foxlease hosted girls from 40 different countries in the 1st #GGUK world camp. It successfully brought together women/girls of different cultures/backgrounds in a way that hadn't been done before. Foxlease played a huge part in giving freedom/independence to many girls.
(The above image is from the Foxlease archives) During WWI, the estate became a hospital, but in WWII it was used to house evacuees and teach them to be self-sufficient with the Dig for Victory campaign. It was still being used as a training ground for girls and leaders.
Foxlease played a part in allowing guides and leaders to contribute to the war effort - to this day a lot of people still don't realise how incredible their contributions were. Guiding has given so much to charity and community since 1909 and continues to do so.
I'm a second generation girlguide and a vast amount of my childhood was spent at Foxlease. I've seen it's importance first hand. I've seen what it can do for women and girls - something that we should recognise as deeply important - Foxlease to us, is home. It's a safe space.
In spring 2023, the trustees of #GirlguidingUK announced they would be selling Foxlease (and other TACs) with no warning to it's members. We all fought back hard. The charity Foxie's Future raised over £1 mil in about 6months to purchase the property and recently put in a bid-
-but the goalposts have now been moved. They are only going to sell Foxlease to a buyer who purchases both the main estate and a second lot for a further £1.5 mil. We are scraping together every penny we have to stop it going to developers. It certainly feels like a betrayal.
The guides have given so much to their community over the last 100+ years & they absolutely deserve to have that generosity returned to them in their time of need. I cannot overstate the importance of Foxlease. If there is anything you can do to help, it would be so appreciated.
Please, if there is anything you can give, donate to Foxie's Future. Even if it's just £1. Even if it's just spreading the word. If you made it this far, thank you for reading this thread. foxiesfuture.co.uk