Girlguiding Cymru Chief team thanks event and handover
On Saturday 25 October 2025, members from across Wales gathered at Hope Church in Newtown for a special Girlguiding Cymru event. The occasion marked the end of the 2020 to 2025 term for our Girlguiding Cymru Chief team and celebrated the start of an exciting new chapter for Girlguiding Cymru.
The event was opened by our Girlguiding Cymru President, Tori James. Tori is well known as the first Welsh woman to climb Mount Everest and is a passionate advocate for adventure, challenge and leadership for girls and young women. Her inspirational words set the tone for a joyful afternoon of thanks, celebration and reflection.
Celebrating the 2020–2025 Chief team
Outgoing Chief Commissioner Bev Martin took to the stage to welcome everyone and to thank her Chief Team, staff and volunteers for their support throughout her term. Bev also presented a special thanks award to Evelyn Thomas, Head of Trustees for Girlguiding Cymru, recognising her commitment and leadership.
Evelyn then returned the gesture by presenting thanks awards to her fellow trustees Julie Miles and Ann Lovatt, in appreciation of their service.
Recognising volunteer contributions
Outgoing Deputy Chief Commissioner Sarah-Jane Burns presented thanks awards to the Cymru Guiding Delivery Team:
Liz Foskett – Training
Dawn Gethin – Training
Nia Hight – Learning and Development
Carol Foster – International
Su Madurasinghe – Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
Sheila Mott – First Aid
Lindia Manley – Royal Welsh Show
Irene Morgan – Royal Welsh Show
Sarah-Jane then introduced Alice Cleave, Assistant Chief Commissioner, who presented thanks awards to a number of lead volunteers and youth members:
Nia Evans,
Laura Evans,
Isabel Blore,
Janet Cleave,
Emma Jones,
Ellie Lees,
Alison Mills, and
Kathleen Welch.
Silver Dragon award
To Alice’s great surprise, Bev returned to the stage and presented her with the Girlguiding Cymru Silver Dragon Award for her outstanding contribution. It was a heartfelt moment filled with hugs, tears and applause.
County Presentations
Bev then welcomed County Commissioners to present thanks awards to members from across Wales:
Each county commissioner was also given a Girlguiding Cymru thanks award in recognition of their hard work as county commissioner, and the support they have given the chief team.
Central Glamorgan – Julie Thomas
Thanks awards and chief commissioners awards were presented to Emily Denham, Donna Jacka, Sarah Lee, Karen Reed, Jayne Rogers, Dean Thomas.
Cardiff and East Glamorgan – Cheryl Crisp
Thanks awards were presented to Amanda Monsell and Angela Rodgers.
Anglesey
Thanks awards were presented to Elaine Green, Rhian Lloyd-Williams and Anna Townsley.
West Glamorgan
A Thanks award was presented to Jenny Jones.
Caernarfonshire – Nadine Murphy
Thanks awards were presented to Helen Adams, Debbie Roberts and Margaret Kelly.
Clwyd – Jacqueline Duffield
Thanks awards were presented to Megan Jones, Jenni Lloyd, and Alice Lovegrove-Jones.
Montgomeryshire and Merionnydd – Kate Williams
Thanks awards were presented to Laura Day, Jann Downes, Sam Elliot and Mary Shaw.
Ceredigion – Heidi Booth
A Thanks award was presented to Kayleigh Davis.
Carmarthenshire – Elinor Roberts
Thanks awards were presented to Becky Cook, Anna Mounsey-Judd, Amy Ward
Gwent – Dawn Clayton
Thanks awards were presented to Hilary Jenkins, Jen Lloyd, and Gwyneth McGuinness.
Cronfa Ddwr – Sam Thomas
Thanks awards were presented to Lyndon Davies, Jenny Francis, Donna Pauli.
Pembrokeshire – Kathy Gunner
Thanks awards were presented to Vikki Barker and Carys James.
More thanks and recognition
Bev also expressed her gratitude to several lead volunteers for their specialist contributions:
Lesley Matthews – Trefoil Guild Cymru
Mair Watts and Eirlys Herbert – Archives
Dawn Pavey – Xplore
Claire Jenkins and Caryn Parker – Royal Welsh Show
Verity Shaw – RIGG Project
Bev extended personal thanks to
Emma Fraenzel,
Judy Evans,
Bec Martin
and Keira Atkins,
Bev also thanked others who had supported her personally throughout her term.
She also recognised the dedication of the Girlguiding Cymru staff:
Heulwen Thomas – Growth and retention officer
Lisa Edwards – Digital marketing and communications officer
Rachael Clutton-Haines – Manager and PA to the Chief Commissioner
Helen Parker – Finance officer also received a Girlguiding Cymru Silver Dragon Award for her exceptional work.
This was a complete surprise to Helen! Everyone was so proud of her achievement.
The handover
As the afternoon drew to a close, Bev Martin and Tori James thanked everyone again before Evelyn Thomas and Rachael Clutton-Haines presented Bev, Sarah-Jane and Alice with flowers and gifts in appreciation of their years of leadership.
Bev, Sarah-Jane and Alice guided the organisation through one of the most challenging yet inspiring periods in its history. Beginning their leadership at the onset of the global pandemic, they demonstrated exceptional resilience and creativity, ensuring that Girlguiding in Wales continued to thrive despite the restrictions. They supported volunteers and members through virtual meetings, online resources, and innovative activities that kept the spirit of guiding alive during unprecedented times.
As the world reopened, the team brought renewed energy to Girlguiding Cymru with exciting events, fresh opportunities, and creative challenge packs that united members across the country. From national celebrations and outdoor adventures to imaginative challenge packs encouraging fun, learning, and confidence, their leadership reconnected members and revitalised enthusiasm across all sections. Their dedication, positivity, and vision have left a lasting legacy, inspiring both volunteers and young members, and ensuring the future of Girlguiding Cymru.
Meeting the new team
It was then time for the official handover. Girlguiding Chief Commissioner Tracy Foster joined Bev on stage to welcome our brand new Girlguiding Cymru Chief Commissioner, Kathy Gunner.
Kathy Gunner, the newly appointed Chief Commissioner of Girlguiding Cymru, brings a wealth of guiding experience and heartfelt commitment to her role. Kathy was previously the Girlguiding Pembrokeshire county commissioner. Her long-standing dedication across multiple roles, including, adviser roles and Cymru trustee.
Her previous experience reflects both her strategic insight and her passion for supporting members at every level.
Kathy was previously awarded the Girlguiding Cymru Silver Dragon for her services.
As she steps into the role of Chief Commissioner, Kathy is eager to build a strong new Chief team, drive forward exciting opportunities and shape the future of Girlguiding Cymru.
Kathy introduced her new Chief Team:
Caryn Parker – Girlguiding Cymru deputy chief commissioner.
Caryn is from Girlguiding Central Glamorgan and has also been a key member of the Royal Welsh Show team for many years. Caryn volunteers with Rainbows, Guides and Rangers in Merthyr Tydfil.Tirion Williams – Girlguiding Cymru assistant chief commissioner.
Tirion from Girlguiding Montgomeryshire is currently volunteering at Sangam in India, an image and bilingual introduction were shared to welcome her to the role. Tirion volunteers with 1st Llanidloes Brownies. We cannot wait to learn more about Tirion.
Chief Guide Tracy Foster shared her excitement about working with the new team and wished them well for the years ahead.
A Warm Ending
Guests enjoyed a delicious afternoon tea provided by the team at Hope Church while a slideshow of memories and achievements from the outgoing Chief Team played. Decorations and goodie bags were beautifully created by Rachael Clutton-Haines, and special thanks were given to Ed and the team at Hope Church for their hospitality and support.
It was a day filled with gratitude, reflection and celebration. We thank our outgoing Chief team for their incredible service and warmly welcome our new Chief team as we look forward to the future of Girlguiding Cymru.
