AN inspirational leader in the York Guide movement has died.

Olive Allison was involved in the York Guides for more than 25 years and ran the 10th York Osbaldwick Guide Unit for more than 18 years as well as working full time at British Home Stores.

She ran the guide group single-handed for half of that time but still managed to organise a varied programme of activities for the girls to enjoy, including camping.

Mrs Allison first became involved in the Guides when her then 13-year-old daughter Pauline's unit was under threat of closure.

"They couldn't find anyone to run it and it was in danger of closing," said Pauline, who is now married and a leader herself with the First Wilberfoss Guides.

"Mum volunteered to help out and ended up running it."

After retiring from running the Guide unit Mrs Allison worked with the Trefoil Guild until just before she moved from her Hull Road home to the Westminster Nursing Home, where she died on January 31, aged 79.

During her time with the Guides she encouraged many girls to achieve the Queen's Guide Badge and inspired others to become leaders themselves.

Mrs Allison's husband Lloyd died in 1981 and she leaves a son, Robert, whose wife Sylvia is also involved with the Guides, daughter Pauline, and four grandchildren.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.