GOOD in-tent . . .

Members of the 4th St Peters brownie guides were presented with three new lightweight tents to replace their old heavy canvas ones after brown owl Paulene Barnes asked her employers British Gas for help.

Paulene, who works as a canteen manager in Manchester, entered a new community award scheme run by the company for their staff throughout the North West.

The scheme was launched to encourage employees who do valuable community work in their spare time and Paulene's application was the first to be chosen for funding.

"I was delighted when I heard the news," said Paulene, who is also brownie commissioner of Eaves Lane district, with responsibility for 13 brownie packs.

"The old canvas tents were very heavy and difficult for the girls to deal with and the new ones are much better.

"The girls will now be able to practise putting the tents up during the winter months so they'll be ready for the spring when we start going on camp again."

The new equipment was handed over by British Gas community relations officer Collette Handley, who said: "We were delighted to help Paulene with her request.

"Her work with the brownies and guides helps a lot of children to gain independence and confidence and to understand the importance of working as a team.

"We hope that brown owl and the girls get many hours of enjoyment from the new equipment." TENT TEST: Paulene with brownies, left to right, Tanya Marlow and Stacey Rutter, both aged nine, and Rebecca Mason, seven, and her sister Kelly, nine.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.