History

Mrs. Patteson initiated the connection between Hautbois and Guiding, starting the Coltishall Guide Company, partly as an interest for her daughter Phillippa, and later Beth, so beginning their lifelong love of guiding. This passion for guiding continued throughout their lives, and, as a lasting testimony to their commitment to the Movement, they generously left Hautbois and the estate to Girlguiding Anglia in 1984, with the earnest wish that the family home should be made into a Residential Training and Activity Centre.

The Anglia Region in particular, and guiding in general, will forever be extremely grateful for this wonderful gift, and hope to fulfill the Patteson sisters' wishes by ensuring that generations of future members of guiding, of all ages, will continue to visit and enjoy this fantastic facility. The main living room has been renamed Patteson Room in their honour, and the family's height chart, located behind the door in the old library (Hertfordshire), has been encased in plastic for posterity. Hautbois opened officially as a Residential Training and Activity Centre in 1988, and has welcomed thousands of guiding members and other guests from all over the world since. The Patteson sister's legacy will never be forgotten, and Girlguiding Anglia will always be proud to have such a venue.

For more detailed historic information regarding the Patteson family please visit Girlguiding Norfolk's Heritage site - please click here.