County History

Girlguiding Sussex Central was formed in 1979. 
Due to the expansion of guiding in West Sussex
it was decided to re-organise the County
for administrative purposes. 

The County of Sussex Central was therefore created on

1st April with Mrs. Sylvia Smith as the

County Commissioner, later to become County President. 

The County, which broadly covers the Mid Sussex area of South East England, consists of 8 Divisions:  Burgess Hill, Crawley, East Grinstead, Haywards Heath, Horsham, Parkminster, South Down, and Worth,  and is part of Girlguiding London and South East England Region (LaSER). 

The membership in Sussex Central is about 4,000; providing fun, challenges and leadership for girls and young women. It is supported by a wealth of volunteers who run weekly meetings and also others who give freely of their time to maintain the smooth running of the programme.  Many of these are members of our busy Trefoil Guild.

Our County Ambassadors, whose role it is to actively promote guiding, are The Lord Dholakia of Waltham Brooks OBE DL, and Mrs. Loder of Leonardslee, Horsham.  These are in addition to a number of Division Ambassadors recruited locally.

Each year there are special events around the County, such as the four-yearly joint international camp with West Sussex Scouts and Guides,  plus unit camps and outings, in addition to ‘normal' guiding.