Olave House

During the 1950s, Our Ark’s popularity continued to grow. But by 1956 the 21-year lease was coming to an end and both the World Bureau and World Centre had outgrown its space. The World conference, held in Brazil in 1957, decided to appeal to all members to raise the money to house both the World Bureau and Our Ark under the same roof. Girl Guides and Girl Scouts from all over the world sponsored bricks, and British Guides raised money for the garden.
 

The search for a new location for Our Ark continued and finally led to 45 Longridge Road, Earls Court, a small hotel occupying two Victorian houses, which would be able to accommodate 43 guests and six members of staff on five floors. The World Bureau, however, decided to establish their offices in the old premises of the Boy Scouts International Bureau. In 1963, during a special ceremony presided over by the World Chief Guide, Olave Baden-Powell, the Centre was renamed Olave House in her honour.

The ceremony took place on Our Ark’s Silver Jubilee, on 5 November 1963. For the next twenty years, Olave House continued to be a vibrant centre for Girl Guides and Girl Scouts around the world. Representatives from over fifty countries stayed in the hostel each year.

Pax Lodge (officially opened 1991)