PICTURES: Friends again after 67 years! Old Girl Guide companions reunite at Inverness care home after surprise discovery
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Two long lost friends who parted company and never saw each other again for 67 years have reunited at an Inverness care home.
To their great surprise, Phyllis Pieraccini (81) and Helen Malcom (91), both residents at Meallmore’s Culduthel home, recently discovered they had known each other while Girlguiding in the early 1950s.
Since making the happy discovery in January this year, the pair have got on like a house on fire.
Phyllis, née Wiseman, first joined Brownies aged seven, before joining the Guides at 11.
At the same time, Helen, née Richardson, was Brown Owl of the 1st East Kilbride Brownie Unit.
Helen has been guiding her entire life, holding various positions including district commissioner and county commissioner, roles involving visiting Guide units such as the one Phyllis was part of, carrying out inspections across Scotland.
Phyllis recalled: “Helen was a big, strong lady. We never had any reason to fear her, but the fact she was a commissioner meant we had to be on our best behaviour!”
Phyllis was not the only member of her family to be a part of Girlguiding. Her younger sister Joyce Baxter almost achieved The Queen’s Guide award, the highest award you can work to in guiding.
It was Joyce who first informed Phyllis that Helen was a fellow resident at Culduthel.
Phyllis added: “My sister told me that Helen was here and one day at the church service I heard someone talking to a Helen. I leaned across and asked, ‘Are you Helen Malcom perchance?’ - and it was!
“It has been lovely to reconnect with Helen.”
In recent years, Helen became chairwoman of the Trefoil Guild. While no longer holding this position, she continues to be part of this division of the Girlguiding family which aims to carry the spirit of Girlguiding into local communities.
Helen reckons the biggest lesson from her time in the Guides is the value of lasting friendships.
Helen said: “It has been great to reconnect with Phyllis. We connected immediately, just like old friends!”
Both ladies recognise and are thankful for the huge part Girlguiding has played in their lives.
Culduthel activities coordinator Louisa Taylor has chatted with both ladies during reminiscence sessions at the care home.
These are seen as paramount in helping residents to remember and share their old memories.
Louisa said: “Helen and Phyllis are very highly regarded ladies within their communities. The way they have told the stories of their time spent with the Guides has been a joy to listen to.
“We feel very lucky to have been able to bring them together and strengthen their relationship.”
Culduthel Care Home, located on West Heather Road in Inverness, is run by Meallmore Ltd and cares for residents including those living with dementia.
