2024 was a busy year for the units of Girlguiding Carmarthenshire. The Districts and Divisions worked hard on the six themes of the program as well as celebrating holidays, festivals, awards, and more. Much fun was had on their unit trips, County events (we’ll talk more about those later), unit sleepovers, and holidays. 2024 was clearly a year of adventure and excitement, so how about we share some of that with you?
A classic cinema experience was a big hit for units all over Carmarthenshire in 2024, with Girlguiding’s exclusive screenings becoming a tradition for many units. Girls (and leaders) of all ages enjoyed screenings of Wish & Moana 2 this year, shown in Carmarthen, Llanelli, and Brynamman Public Hall cinemas. As you can imagine, there were sweets and chatter galore, and that was just from the leaders, but we wouldn’t have it any other way!
February 22nd marked World Thinking Day, a key celebration day for Guiding all around the world. While units all across the county celebrated, each unit did something different to mark the occasion. Cwmamman District held a Thinking Day service where Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, and Young Leaders all contributed with singing, readings, promise renewals, and celebrations. Other units celebrated with thinking day crafts and guiding stories. Some guiding members even celebrated by wearing their uniforms to work or school!
March marked the start of a year of sport and adventure for guiding in Carmarthenshire. Units from Llwynhendy, Cwmamman, and Ammanford were excited to attend Girlguiding Cymru’s annual sell-out Ice Hockey Extravaganza in Cardiff. Attendees got to ice skate with members of Cardiff Comets – the ladies’ ice hockey team - then watch an adrenaline-filled Cardiff Devils match. Some lucky guides even got to pose for a photo with the Devil's mascot! This event is so popular with Cymru that next year’s event sold out within 2 hours, so they were very glad to get to experience the event! Just look how much fun was had…
A trip to Cardiff seemed to become a theme in 2024, as 1st Tycroes Rainbows took a trip to Techniquest where 3 young members made their promise. Congratulations everyone!
As Spring came, there was crafting a-plenty as St David’s Day, Mother’s Day, and Easter activities were held in units.
With the brighter days, came the “holiday” season as well as plenty of outdoor adventures. Brownie units held sleepovers at the Botanical Gardens - where they got to sleep inside the dome -, the Gower, and village halls, whilst Guide and Ranger units held camps at Gorwelion, Pendine, Cadoxton, Pembrey, and Pax Lodge – one of WAGGGS’ World Centres. Themes varied from “To Infinity and Beyond” to “Murder Mystery” and although the weather was not always favourable for camps and residentials this year, the girls still made wonderful memories and had unforgettable experiences.
Then it was back to the year of sport, with Drefach Guides, Cwmamman Brownies and Guides, Gorslas Brownies, and Llwynhendy units all cheering for the Cymru Women’s football team at their UEFA qualifying game against Ukraine at Parc y Scarlets. There was excitement all around as the team captain (being a Carmarthenshire girl herself) and manager signed flags and posed for selfies with us.
Nantgaredig Guides and Rangers climbed Pen-y-fan, whilst Llandeilo units went kayaking with Llandovery Paddlers.
The county walk along the riverside walk from Garnant to Ammanford was well attended and girls enjoyed being out in nature and having some homemade cake along the way. The summer walk along the Coastal path from Burry Port to North Dock was also a great success.
Girlguiding Cymru’s Castell Cariad Challenge pack proved popular in the county with units making the most of the many castles we have nearby. Laugharne, Dinefwr, and Carreg Cennen castles were all taken over by Girlguiding Carmarthenshire members completing that last part for the badge. Cwmamman Brownies were even lucky enough to be able to enjoy the sunshine and a picnic at Carreg Cennen.
In June, Llanelli Town District held a fun day at the Wetlands for Rainbows and Brownies, where units from across the county had a fun day of pond dipping, mini beast hunting, making bird feeders and learning about the centre.
Pontyates Rainbows also enjoyed getting busy outdoors, sowing bee-friendly plants with the Dandara building company adding a splash of colour to the area and summer while 1st Tycroes Rainbows and Brownies helped The Friends of Tycroes Group plant herbs in the Tycroes flower garden.
There was also large presence at Llandeilo Pride where girls dressed in different colours to represent the rainbow before manning a PR stall which led to recruitment for the Brownie and Guide units. As you can see, much fun was had during the event, not least with the outfit planning.
Pretty soon, Olympic fever took over the country and Girlguiding Carmarthenshire! Llandeilo Brownies held an Olympics event and received medals on a podium and even had a parent’s race, whilst Ammanford District held their own version of the Olympics. Carmarthen Division also held a Rainbow and Brownie Olympic Fun Day. The Olympic season was extra special for us at Girlguiding Carmarthenshire as a former Carmarthen Brownie – Emma Finucane - went on to win not one but 3 medals in cycling, winning one Gold and two Bronze medals. Well done Emma!
July marked the first of our County Adventure Days, thanks to a Girlguiding ‘Sweetshop Fund’ for Adventurous activities we were lucky to receive. Guides and Rangers from all over the county converged at the Pendine Outdoor Activities Centre for a day of adventure. Over 100 girls enjoyed teamwork as they took on the climbing wall and zip-wire as well as mastering the group paddle-boarding challenges. As you can imagine, there was lots of shouting to be had, but at least that means they had fun…
As the summer term came to a close, and leaders began preparing for their well-earned breaks, Nantgaredig Brownies, Guides and Rangers went to the Bug Farm near St Davids where they held cockroaches and stick insects and ate chocolate bugs (ew!)
Ammanford held a District campfire, where they sang, had hot chocolate and what’s a campfire without toasted marshmallows!
September brought the start of a new term and new adventurous activities. Rainbows from all over Carmarthenshire explored new lands at the Rainbow Day at Dinefwr Park. Girls went bug hunting, pond dipping and had a wonderful storyteller tell magical tales of the castle and the Great Oak. They ended the day having a singsong in the Castle Field as the rain finally stopped! Thank you to everyone at Dinefwr for helping us make the day such a special one for our youngest members.
October saw over 100 Brownies visit the Wales National Botanical Gardens on a beautiful autumnal day. There, they built dens, toasted marshmallows, went bug hunting and pond dipping, and learned about space. The event coincided with the Gardens’ FestAfal event, and so the girls had a go at making some apple juice while some did the Gruffalo trail and visited the Birds of Prey Centre. They ended the day launching rockets while the girls chased after them! I had lots of fun with that one! It certainly piqued the public’s curiosity to see so many Brownies around the gardens, and for some of the girls, it was their first time at such an event, which I’m sure they enjoyed!
As well as all those adventurous activities units worked hard, making their way through the program. Visits were made to Llanelli Library and Jollies Pet Store as part of the Brownie Jobs badge. Units had visits from yoga instructors for the Mindfulness badge, local mayors, the Cats Protection Society and a visit from the hedgehog rescue centre.
The Charities badge proved popular with our good-natured Brownies with girls choosing a charity that is important to them and taking action to support them. Ammanford Brownies collected toiletries for Amman Valley Hospital, delivering 5 bags. Tycroes Brownie, Elinor, climbed Pen y Fan to raise money for Llys Nini, Cwmamman Brownie, Nia took part in Race For Life for Cancer Research; and Llandeilo Brownie, Nel completed a triathlon raising over £1000 for West Wales Poundies. Cwmamman Guides raised money for Macmillan by holding a bake sale as part of one of their skill builders, all baked by the girls themselves. Llandovery Rainbows have completed their Helper badge and so much more… Well done to all of them who took on such mammoth challenges, we cannot wait to find out what our members accomplish in 2025!
The skill builders and theme awards all lead on to the Bronze, Silver, and Gold awards in each section and it’s lovely to see that so many were awarded in Carmarthenshire in 2024. Some units awarded their very first award, while one unit presented 11 awards to their members, a fantastic achievement for both girls and leaders involved!
November saw the celebration of Girlguiding Carmarthenshire at our AGM, held at Cwmamman Golf Course. The event was a joyous day, (held on maybe the wettest day of the year) and was attended by local dignitaries as well as many of our hard-working leaders, commissioners and advisors. The AGM was a day to celebrate the leaders and their hard work in 2024 with awards and kind words. Many leaders received long service awards, some finally got their leadership qualification awards after months and months of hard work, and the day also marked the end of my first year as County Commissioner. 2024 was truly a year to be remembered.
Looking forward to 2025, I cannot wait to see what guiding in our county has to offer. Our 2025 calendar is already filling up with plenty of events, social opportunities, and training for volunteers for our members. If you’re interested in getting involved in the planning of any events or you have an idea I am all ears!
As well as all the achievements we have to look forward to in units, I’m pleased to say that one of our Rangers has been selected to represent Girlguiding Cymru on an international trip to Rotterdam this year.
All of this would not be possible without all our leaders, unit helpers and young leaders. When you gift your time to Girlguiding you are investing in our girls’ futures. It’s clear that you are all inspiring and encouraging your girls and the next generation of leaders, Olympians and politicians are out there, so keep doing what you are doing. I cannot thank you enough for everything that you are doing and continue to do for the girls in your units.
Here's to 2025!
Comments