As we reach the end of another year, I thought it would be a good time to reflect on what has been a roller coaster year.

The year started with me recovering from a cracked bone in my back, so rather gently.
In February Tracy Foster began her role as Chief Guide, at a difficult time given the controversial announcements.

Girlguiding Cymru held a virtual Thinking Day event and I attended a beautiful service at York Minster. March saw me beginning another tour of our counties, visiting units in Montgomeryshire,
Meirionyddshire, Gwent and an AGM in Central Glamorgan.

I continued my tour in April with a trip to Anglesey combining a unit visit with their AGM.
May was, quite possibly, the most hectic month I’ve had as Chief Commissioner (so far!).

I visited a unit in Swansea, saw the marvellous Newport Gang show and I attended the Coronation!! I am still pinching myself that I was actually there. I wasn’t able to get to the Bumbling Botanical event, but I understand it was amazing.

June was a bit quieter, the tour continued with a visit to an event in Ceredigion.
July began with the Castle Capers event, the weather wasn’t too kind, but a wonderful day anyway.

Visits to units in Caernarfonshire and Clwyd as part of the tour and, at the end of the month, the
Royal Welsh Show, ably hosted this year by Cardiff and East Glamorgan county.

Our unit Guide camp at Ynysgain was in August as usual, tinged with a little sadness this year, but we had the pleasure of hosting some Japanese Guiding visitors, that helped lift our mood.

September saw me visit Gwent again for their AGM.

In October, my own Brownie unit went on holiday for the first time since 2019! It felt like a whole new experience, but they all enjoyed it and we’re planning the next one.

It was the turn of West Glamorgan to have their AGM in November and Cardiff had their fabulous Gang Show.

The Girlguiding Thanks event was held at Leicester Square, London. Wonderful to see so many from Girlguiding Cymru attending to celebrate their awards and recognising their Guiding accomplishments.

Lampeter Brownies in Ceredigion county celebrated their 75th birthday with a party in December.

So there you have it, a whistle stop tour of my year. There have also been lots of events and
celebrations that I wasn’t able to attend, please keep inviting me, if I can attend, I will.

We have seen 5 counties change their County Commissioner this year. A huge thank you to the outgoing CCs and an equally huge welcome to the new ones.

International trips went from Girlguiding Cymru to South Korea and Switzerland, and many unit and county trips ventured abroad, so good to see girls being able to gain the experience of international travel.

Girlguiding Cymru launched multiple challenges and partnerships and our fabulous staff keep the website full of opportunities and activities.

The Riig project continues into next year in Clwyd and Caernarfonshire funded by a UK grant.
Looking forward to 2024, new opportunities, new challenges. Girlguiding Cymru would not exist
without our wonderful members. We love hearing your plans, ideas and news, please keep them coming.

And last, but definitely not least, I want to thank the Girlguiding teams, our President, Tori, my fabulous deputy and assistant, Sarah-Jane and Alice, our super staff, trustees, county commissioners, guiding delivery group, trainers and anyone that I have missed off that list. I sincerely hope I’ve included everyone.

I wish everyone a happy, peaceful festive season and hope to meet many more of you in 2024.