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ANNUAL REPORT 2010

This year has been particularly busy as we have been celebrating the centenary of Girlguiding and have ensured that the girls and young women have had a year to remember. We have organised events for each section and also a grand finale for all members at Cheltenham Racecourse. Our membership remains at around the 6000 mark and we are hoping that as a result of increased publicity during this centenary year we might increase our membership, both girls and leaders.

Our AGM was again held at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust at Slimbridge and we welcomed around 300 members and friends to review the year with us. It was a privilege to present the Lord Lieutenant, Sir Henry Elwes with a Thanks badge. He is due to shortly finish his term of office as Lord Lieutenant, and Girlguiding Gloucestershire wanted to acknowledge his support and friendship  over the years.

We started the year with a trip out to the Forest of Dean in April for our Brownie section and were pleased to host a day of activities for over 600 girls in this age group. This included treasure hunts, circus skills, belly dancing and craft activities. Fortunately the weather was dry and the Brownies had a superb afternoon.

The Guides took part in a Crystal Palace Challenge day, later in the year in June, and spent an afternoon working their way through a variety of challenges to include kite making, a water slide, science experiments, pizza making and a variety of crafts.

In July the Rainbows had a fantastice Pink and Sparkly Princess day at Deer Park, our County Headquarters, and as well as dressing up as Princesses they were able to try out a variety of activities to include Pass the Parcel, singing, cake decorating and crown making. We had almost 500 on site so were particlarly pleased that the day was fine and sunny.

During the School holidays the Guide section held a County camp at Deer Park and it was wonderful to see the camping field full of tents. The campers enjoyed on-site activities as well as trips to Cirencester and Cattle Country.

Once again it was the turn of the Arts team to produce a show at the Bacon Theatre and after months of hard work they gave a magnificent performance in their production of 'Celebrate'. It was an excellent show with a variety of songs, dances and spoken items, with around 150 members taking part.

Our finale of the centenary year, Vision, was a spectacular event, attended by over 5000 members, around 80% of our full membership. Thankfully the evening was fine as it was an outdoor event. The girls were entertained by stilt walkers, fire jugglers, video presentations of the year's events and a superb firework display set to music. Everyone at the event had a chance to re-make their Promise along with millions of members world-wide with the help of a video link-up to the Chief Guide. It was a fitting end to a full and spectacular year.

The County is fortunate to have a team of volunteers who work hard for the benefit of the membership and this factor is the most vital in providing relevant and inspiring activities for the girls to take part in. It was a fitting thank you that we were able to subsidise a dinner dance at the end of the year for all our leaders and their partners and were thrilled to see around 200 take up this offer and enjoy an evening of good food and friendship.

Sue Matthews