In loving memory of Janet Ireland, 1961 - 2023

I met Janet in 1985 when Merseyside Girl Guides were rehearsing for the Radio Merseyside Service which was broadcast to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Guiding and again when we both helped staff the Merseyside Anniversary Camp at Scarisbrick. Janet was studying for her final exams of her Librarian degree; she encouraged me to attend Dovedale Baptist Church and it’s student group here and we became close friends. Janet first became involved in Guiding in 1968 as a seven year old when she became a Brownie at Dovedale. Following Brownies, she became a Young Leader with the pack, run by Gladys Gilford. When Gladys retired Janet took over the running of the 283rd Brownies at only eighteen she decided to continue to be known as Snowy Owl so that Gladys could continue to be known as Brown Owl. Janet achieved her Gold Duke of Edinburgh award in 1986 after we’d spent a windy weekend hiking and getting lost in North Wales, for her exploration she completed a study on Welsh Chapels and was presented with her award at St James Palace by the late Duke of Edinburgh. Janet has had 100’s of girls through her pack. Some of her original Brownies are now bringing their daughters and granddaughters to be in the pack. She recently received an award for 40 years of volunteering as a Guider. In her heart Janet saw herself primarily as a unit Guider but she was also District Commissioner for Church District, she had a heart for all people but especially those with additional needs. Janet’s faith was very important to her, she was a Deacon and lay leader here at Dovedale Baptist Church, she was instrumental in arranging services and afternoon teas at Dovedale to mark many important anniversaries. Janet also maintained the church’s archives – and when the numbers got too small for the church to be viable, she was involved in marketing the building and achieving its sale to Cornerstones. She was also actively involved with the other churches in the Mossley Hill area – as part of Churches Together in Mossley Hill, in organizing the service for the annual Women’s World Day of Prayer and in helping to run local mum and toddler groups, helping at holiday clubs and supporting the stall at the Allerton Road Farmers Market. It is ironic that for the last 26 years Janet worked at the Brain Charity, initially voluntarily at Galaxo before being employed by them. Her expertise and knowledge will be missed by all those she has worked with and by the many people she helped whilst working there. Janet you played a major part in the lives of many people both locally and further afield and you will be greatly missed, you leave a large hole in all of our lives, You were my best friend, I will miss you. Rest in Peace