5th Croxley Brownies toadstool accidentally sold at Red Cross sale

The 5th Croxley Brownies believe someone bought the sentimental item at an event at the Red Cross Centre in Croxley sometime in late April.

The girls and their leaders were also heartbroken to learn their magic pond and knitted brownie doll had also been sold by mistake.

All the items are used during a ‘Promise’ ceremony, when girls are sworn into their brownie troupe.

The toadstool is over 30 years old as it was made by Elizabeth Pickering, who started the pack as a Brown Owl in January 1985.

Ms Pickering said: “Without the toadstool and magic pool, it will take away a great deal from the magic and memories of the Promise ceremony.

“The Brownies were very proud when they had their Promise ceremony to be able to look in the magic pool, and look at herself in the mirror and see themselves.

“This would be followed by them dancing around the toadstool.

“In Brownies, this is a very important event.

“I got a lot of satisfaction out of making these items and was so happy as the Brownies were able to experience the tradition of having our own much-loved toadstool.

“I gave a great deal of thought, time and pleasure in making these items and feel very sad to think that it can be placed on a Jumble table and sold.

Please should the person that bought it read this article I would be more than delighted to hear that it has been returned to the Brownie unit.”

New leaders believe the items were accidentally sold when the Red Cross had a clear out and mistakenly assumed they belonged to the Rainbows, who no longer meet in the hall.

Finola Manning, the new leader, said: “It’s not the same. We had our recent enrolment without it and it’s really sad.”

Alice, 10, who is one of the Brownies, said: “It’s such a shame the toadstool has gone as it felt oldie worldie and special.”

Do you know where the toadstool, the doll and the magic pond have gone? E-mail aslater@london.newsquest.co.uk or call the news desk on 01923 216 360.