Welcome Lesley, and congratulations on becoming our new Chief Commissioner!
We’re well positioned and ready to go! Good luck, it’s going to be an amazing 5 years. Enjoy!
Farewell to Felicity
Thank you Felicity!
What an exciting 5 years you’ve had as our Chief Commissioner. Of course, there have been lots of fantastic events and activities, but most of all you are leaving us an amazing legacy – a revitalised structure, exciting new partnerships, new and dynamic streams of funding and a growing membership, giving even more girls a voice to speak out and take positive action.
Congratulations on achieving so much and thank you. Girlguiding Cymru is well positioned for the future.
Memories
This week is filled with sadness as we say farewell to two well-known and well-respected ladies from Girlguiding in Wales.
First on 9 September, Miss Joan Tainsh from Swansea passed away. Miss Tainsh was in her early 90s and was a much loved character from West Glamorgan. She was involved in many different roles at various levels both in her county and in Wales.
My memories of her are rooted in the Ranger Diamond Jubilee in 1977 when we met at planning meetings and celebration events. I think she must have been Ranger Adviser for Wales – certainly someone “very important” – and it was quite daunting to be in a meeting with her. In spite of that, we always got on well together and she was very complimentary about the way as “young Rangers” we “got on with things and made them happen”!
We only ever met ‘in passing’ after that, although we always said hello and quickly caught up on what was happening. It was with great pleasure that I met her not so long ago, although it was, sadly, at the funeral of another Guiding friend. I introduced myself to her and was delighted that she remembered me – did I really make that much of an impact all those years ago!!We were able to have a long chat and reminisce about all sorts of things – a real pleasure for us both.
On 20 September, we lost Mrs Anne Faull, also from Swansea. Anne had also been very involved in Guiding, but perhaps will be best remembered as a former Chief Commissioner for Wales and currently one of our Vice Presidents.
I worked quite closely with Anne when she asked me to join the fundraising committee when Guides Cymru were looking to buy Broneirion. This gave me a very different perspective on Guiding and enabled me to bring my marketing skills and wide business connections into play.
We have met more frequently again in the last few years at lots of different events. Indeed at the Summer Fete at Parkmill, Anne was particularly delighted to tell me that they (West Glamorgan) were at last going to embark on a major refurbishment (for Parkmill)….and would be looking for people to help tap into new funding sources. I was once again in her sights! Although she will not be there to see the end result, I’m sure she will be guiding the thoughts and ideas of those taking it forward.
It is sad that these two ladies have left us, but amazing to think back at how they both played a part on my life and helped to shape who I am.
Thank you both – Rest In Peace.
Girlguiding Cymru Bring It Home Extravaganza
2015 Rugby World Cup + Girlguiding Cymru members across Wales + 14 counties = Girlguiding Cymru ‘Bring It Home’ and an amazing week!
Here’s how it started…..
“We’ve got the rugby ball that will kick off the first match of the 2015 Rugby World Cup at the Millennium Stadium. It’s signed by all of the Welsh squad. Let’s get as many girls as possible to pass it around every Guiding county in Wales.”
Sounds fantastic!
“Oh, by the way. We’ve only got a couple of weeks to organise things!”
Deep breath. Can we do it? Will it work? Will anyone come?
Oh yes – it certainly captured the imagination and drew in the crowds.
It was fantastic! I was at our county event with my Brownies and Guides on the first Saturday – amazing! It was a great success and the girls really enjoyed every minute. Like everyone, we added our signature to the banner – and all the luck that was rubbed into it clearly worked with the result of the England v Wales game!…even if we didn’t quite get through to the final rounds of the competition!
I followed the rest of the week on Facebook and Twitter. It was brilliant that so many girls and leaders took part, as well as current and new partners too. Even the weekday events, when it is so much more difficult to move folk around and pull things together, were a resounding success.
The photos told an amazing story and the excitement shone through in the smiles (of all ages!).
This was another of those “once-in-a-lifetime” events – well done and thank you to everyone involved in pulling it together.
Brownies Visit to the Wales Office
Getting face-to-face with a tarantula, eating food from around the world and going away on sleepovers – these are some of the reasons Kitty likes being a Brownie.
Kitty and 9 other Brownies from 1st Wick Brownie Unit in the Vale of Glamorgan met with Wales Office Minister Baroness Randerson this week.
Baroness Randerson is the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Wales and invited the Brownies to a Big Brownie Birthday party at the Wales Office in Cardiff. The Minister told the Brownies all about her job and how she helps to make sure the UK Government and the Welsh Assembly work together. Then the Brownies talked about what Brownies do and explained some of their badges (Kitty and the other Brownies “met” the tarantula when they were doing their Friend to Animals badge!). The girls also brought an iPad along to show the Minister photos of their Big Brownie Birthday activities.
The Minister told the girls that she had been a Brownie and still remembers how to tie a reef knot! She also remembered her Promise and reminded the girls how important it is to help other people and ‘do a good turn every day’. She presented the girls with a special badge and a Big Brownie Birthday cake.
The Brownies then did an activity – decorating gingerbread biscuits to show the different people who work in our community – whilst the leaders talked to the Minister about Girlguiding Cymru and our plans for the future. Baroness Randerson said she was very impressed at how eloquent and confident the Brownies were. She also highlighted the contribution our volunteer leaders make in Wales in supporting and educating young people.
This really was a lovely event. Wick Brownies are certainly very active and were a fantastic example of how much fun the girls have. It was also amazing to have the opportunity to talk to the Minister – thank you for inviting us.
Exciting Times – New Term, New Faces, New Unit
What an amazing start to a new term! Earlier in the week we were back to Brownies with lots of new as well as familiar faces eager to get going. It’s a busy term with an RSPB day planned, a “Brownies got talent” competition in partnership with local Soroptimists, and the start of the Brownie Big Birthday.
And then last night was the first meeting for a new Guide unit in Porthcawl – the third one in the town. It’s been some time in the planning and there’ve been a few questioning voices, but we got there.
Ten VERY excited and VERY noisy girls – all have been Brownies in various units in Porthcawl – and also 3 very excited leaders! Debbie and Felicity have a great programme sorted for this term (I’m just an additional helper and supporter until they’re up-and-running fully) and the girls really enjoyed the night.
I think the girls were surprised that this wasn’t just “older Brownies” but something completely different and much more stretching. Even on this first night they were doing challenging activities – things they’d never even dreamt about!
They’ve got lots to think about ready for next week and decisions to make about how they want the unit to run. And we’re expecting to see several more girls next week too, including some who have never been in Guiding before.
It’s exciting being part of this organisation, isn’t it. Certainly never a dull moment, and being able to give all these girls opportunities to grow into themselves is amazing. It works both ways too – I know my life has been enriched by the girls and it keeps me on my toes. It is such fun!
What’s the best thing about Guiding for you? I’d love to hear from you.
Helen
Supporting the Royal Welsh Show
The biggest agricultural show in Europe and a truly spectacular experience! Girlguiding Cymru has been involved in the Royal Welsh for many years and this year was no exception. With Anglesey as the Show’s featured county, it was great to see a large group from Girlguiding Anglesey providing their support.
The girls were kept busy on all four days running the shopping bag crèche, the buggy crèche, running messages for the judges in the show rings and carrying the breed boards during livestock competitions.
Well done everyone, you coped well with the long days, extremely warm weather and the record numbers of people at the Show.
There was a special treat on Wednesday for the girls on duty in the Sheep Ring when Prince Charles paid them a visit. And they made their mark – just as His Royal Highness was leaving the Sheep Ring he spotted my uniform and came across to me and said, “These girls of yours are doing a marvellous job, well done – I hope you’re looking after them!”
Unfortunately neither Prince Charles nor the Duchess of Cornwall called in to our stand to have their face painted or hair braided – although it certainly felt as if almost everyone else on the Showground did! Well done face-painters and hair-braiders, you and the whole Royal Welsh Girlguiding team did a phenomenal job.
The Show is a wonderful way to promote Girlguiding Cymru and we welcomed a lot of visitors from our Guiding family and friends throughout the week. It was lovely to have a chat and catch up with everyone. We were particularly delighted to have visits from David Jones MP, Secretary of State for Wales, the High Sheriff of Powys and Mrs Harris, Kirsty Williams AM, Mark Isherwood AM, and Carly and Monica from RSPB Cymru. Thank you all for your support, and for those who joined us for tea on Wednesday, I enjoyed meeting you and look forward to taking our ideas forward.
Now before I sign-off for today, here’s a date for your diary: 21st – 24th July 2014. Come and visit us at the Royal Welsh Show 2014 and help us celebrate our Big Brownie Birthday!!
If I don’t see you before, I’ll see you there!
Helen
Pack Holiday and Friends of Broneirion
Another busy weekend – this time it was Brownie Pack Holiday AND Friends of Broneirion Gathering! It’s all or nothing, isn’t it!
Pack Holiday was particularly special this year –Assistant Leader (Little Owl) Sarah-Jane was doing her test camp for her Pack Holiday Licence. Hurray! And Well Done!
We were quite a crowd – 20 girls, 4 Leaders, 1 Rainbow (Leader’s daughter) and 2 Young Leaders – at Gorwelion, Girlguiding Central Glamorgan’s amazing holiday home by the sea. The weather was fantastic, so we took full advantage of the beautiful surroundings and had lots of activities outside.
Our theme was “Brownies at the Oscars” and we had a very special Oscars party on Saturday night. Everyone wore their personally designed Oscars T-shirts (made earlier in the day), with make-up, face paints, nails and hair done by our two Young Leaders. Each six performed a short sketch, causing lots of giggles – what a talented bunch.
The cubs, who were camping on the field, invited us to join them for a (real) campfire. We introduced a new generation to dampers – and discovered that Brownies definitely sing louder than cubs! It was great fun!
With such a busy diary, I nipped off on Saturday, swapping my Brown Owl’s beret for my President’s Panama. It was the 2013 Annual Friends of Broneirion Gathering – at Broneirion, of course!
For me, one of the best things about Guiding is the people, and it was such a delight seeing so many, meeting old friends and making new.
Once again Broneirion looked at its very best in the summer sunshine. It was, however, incredibly warm in the marquee, so I issued a challenge – as soon as last years’ minutes and the accounts were agreed (they had to read them first!), I invited everyone to make a fan from their copy of the papers! I never did find out whether the minutes or the accounts made a better fan, but it was the first time there was unanimous agreement about the paperwork!!
Our Broneirion therapy continued with entertainment from Ruth Moore Williams, who had us crying with laughter regaling us with stories from Welsh folklore. Ruth also led our singing which had a distinct Welsh flavour….. Calon Lan, Hymns and Arias, and We’ll Keep a Welcome!
The afternoon ended with the launch of “An Inspiring Adventure….The Story of Broneirion” and a fond farewell to Jane Smart, Chair of Friends, as she finished her term of office. Jane, you and your committee have done a marvellous job. Congratulations to you all, and a BIG Thank You to all Friends – you are a valued part of our Broneirion family.
Phew! another wonderful weekend – a bit of a whirlwind, but such fun.
Keep smiling, keep Guiding,
Helen
P.S. By the way, two songs sum up my weekend: the first is Friends leaving on Saturday singing “Didn’t we have a lovely day, the day we went to Broneirion”. The second are my Brownies shocked and delighted at “You’ll never go to heaven in Brown Owl’s bra, cos Brown Owl’s bra won’t stretch that far!”
We Discover, We Grow – a busy summer weekend
It’s been a busy weekend – first our Brownies were helping at St John’s Summer Fayre in Newton, Porthcawl and then I was chairing the Girlguiding Cymru business meeting and Annual Review at Broneirion in Llandinam.
The Summer Fayre was lots of fun. Newton has a very traditional and beautiful village green surrounded by a 12th century Norman church, 2 pubs and the old schoolroom (where we meet for Brownies) making it an ideal setting for the Summer Fayre.
Lots of stalls, activities and entertainment and hundreds of people. The Brownies really enjoyed running the games. We had Splat the Rat, Find the Red-bottomed Egg, Balls in a Bucket, Hoop-la, Higher or Lower and Find the Golden Golf Tee. We had lots of winners – young and old and it was a great PR opportunity too with a few more names added to Join Us and a chance to chat to some prospective helpers! Very warm, a little hectic, but great fun!
From the Fayre to Broneirion and straight into some meetings to prepare for Girlguiding Cymru’s big day on Sunday.
With our new constitution in place, the business meeting was a little different this year. The Strategic Management Group together with the County Commissioners Council had a very productive and stimulating morning focused on the business of Girlguiding Cymru. Flexibility and Opportunity were key themes – we have to have a clear direction yet remain flexible enough to take advantage of opportunities for funding, partnerships and activities to enable all our members to develop and grow. The team showed that we’re certainly in very good hands and that they’re in tune with the needs of today’s modern girls and women.
The morning finished with a very stimulating workshop in which I urged everyone to ‘Release their Genie’ and to discover how to ‘Become a Genius!’ Thank you ladies for your participation – I hope you now have some new tools to rise those challenges and opportunities. Remember, get out of your lamp!!
After a tasty Broneirion lunch, we were joined by guests and members from across Wales for the Girlguiding Cymru 2013 Annual Review. This was an amazing opportunity to inform everyone and to showcase Girlguiding Cymru.
Under the theme We Discover, We Grow, we had a snapshot of the highlights of the last year and a truly varied afternoon with contributions on the new branding and the new Promise, our very successful Peer Education programme, an insight into one girl’s Guiding journey and an amazing finale from the girls at Project Spotlight 2013. Phew! So much energy, enthusiasm and excitement and so many talented girls – it’s a pleasure and a privilege to be part of this amazing organisation.
Tea on the lawn in the sunshine with friends rounded off a wonderful weekend.
Keep smiling, keep Guiding,
Helen
P.S. Another busy weekend coming up – Pack Holiday AND Friends of Broneirion! I hope the sun keeps shining…..
Together we can… Happy Thinking Day 2013!
For Girl Guides and Girl Scouts all over the world, 22 February is a special day. The joint birthday of our founders, Lord and Lady Baden-Powell, it is a day to celebrate and share what it means to be part of this amazing organisation.
Do you know, we are 10 million members across the world. Wow! that’s a powerful voice. You know what it’s like when just two girls get together – imagine the chatter amongst 10 million!!
For me, Guiding has always been about fun and friendship, and it still is. Whether it is at my Brownie meeting on a Monday evening, or when I catch up with a Guiding friend over a coffee, on the phone or on Facebook, or when I’m “being President” for Girlguiding Cymru, it’s full of sharing, laughter and smiles.
But it’s so much more too. It’s about giving girls a voice, about having space to be themselves and building their confidence so that they can realise their full potential. As a shy, quiet 7-year old I became a Brownie. I met other Brownies, I played games, I made things, I learned my Promise, I helped other people – and I grew and developed to be me!
OK, I didn’t grow very tall, but I certainly grew in confidence. Confidence to try things out, to explore, to discover that some things work and some things don’t, and to realise that although sometimes people will laugh at you, they are there to support you and that you can laugh with them.
Guiding has challenged me – and continues to do so! It’s fun to be part of this organisation and to inspire and enthuse others to find their space, their place.
This Thinking Day the theme is “together we can save children’s lives….and every mother’s life and health is precious” – based on Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5. Once again WAGGGS (World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts) has produced two fantastic activity packs. They’re packed full of activities to help introduce these big, serious subjects to even the youngest girls – I’m certainly going to take my Brownies on a “germ journey”!
Have a fantastic Thinking Day – and join me as one of 10 million voices. Together we can change our world!
This Little Guiding Light 