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Message from the County Commissioner |
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Welcome to my first annual report as
County Commissioner. It hardly seems possible that over a year has passed
since the Chief Guide asked if I would consider becoming the County
Commissioner for West Glamorgan. It was a hard decision to make but with
the encouragement of previous commissioners and the support of my husband,
the decision was made! I must say that everyone has been very
friendly and supportive wherever I go, both in County and Wales.
2008 was a very successful year. Rainbows celebrated their 21st birthday and had to do what they always do - have a party with the venue being turned into a princess castle. Brownies have been as busy as ever; 522 going on pack holiday throughout the year and over 100 enjoying a "Whiz the World" day at West Glamorgan's Activity Centre at Parkmill. Guides have not been outdone by the younger elements - an exciting day was held at Scout & Guide HQ in Swansea with the pioneering challenge proving a big favourite. Many of our Guides have gained their Baden Powell Challenge this year and West Glamorgan hosted the Welsh Baden Powell Challenge weekend at WG Activity Centre. Senior Section members have been getting to know their new programme during the year - the programme is now on disc and is proving a big hit with the Section. Our Senior section Advisor is keen to start a Youth Council and this we hope will be an exciting addition to our County. Thirty-six Guiders travelled to Broneirion and enjoyed a weekend training on "Aim High" and "Changing the World". Training continue to be an important part of adult support within the County. Our annual day training was held at the beginning of the year; complimented by evening trainings in Divisions. The year was rounded off when thirty-six Guiders travelled to Broneirion for the County weekend training with everyone having an opportunity to look at "Aim High" and discuss "Changing the World" - a very enjoyable and worthwhile weekend. A commissioners' workshop has been held during the year and suggestions from commissioners have been taken on board to make the job easier. Qualifications continue to be achieved within the County. Two girls have gained their Queens Guide and 5 girls have completed their Senior Section permit. Two Guide Holiday licences; 1 Brownie licence and 2 Camp licences have been obtained with one Guider gaining her Training Qualification - congratulations to all concerned. International has had a successful year with members travelling to New Zealand, Austria and Iceland; Scotland and the USA with one Young Leader making her promise on the Golden Gate Bridge - what a way to complete your warrant! Trefoil Guilds within the County continue from strength to strength with members travelling to the National AGM; hosting the Welsh AGM and holding activity days at our Centre in Parkmill. Within the next year we will have launched The Centenary Year of Guiding. Plans are well advanced for the Centenary - a two night event planned for Guides within the County and the cooking competition. The Divisions have held their own events over the year as well as continuing in their support for County events. After much work over the last couple of years, we now have a much-improved campsite at Penmaen for the coming season. Our Activity Centre at Parkmill continues to be popular in and outside the County. The gardens have recently been enhanced - thanks to a generous donation of hedging from The Woodland Trust and hardwork on the part of Guides and Trefoil. The Shop continues to provide a much-needed service to all of the Divisions. Both venues reflect the hardwork and pride involved by all those involved with the projects. 2009 will see big changes in our record-keeping with "Go" making sure we all go 0n-line. Our County team is ready to go and we have received a laptop to help in this mammoth task, via a grant that Girlguiding Cymru received from the Welsh Office. I would like to extend my thanks to everyone in County who has supported me since my appointment and, to everyone who has strived to make improvements and changes within the County and Divisions, to realise our hopes, Good Luck for the future. |
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Girlguiding West Glamorgan is an
operating name of The Guide Association West Glamorgan. |
