Guiders celebrate 200 years service (From Penarth Times)

Guiders celebrate 200 years service

A GROUP of local Guiders with more than 200 years of service between them have been honoured for their achievements.

District Commissioner for Girl Guides Penarth Carol Emery, who runs the 1st Lower Penarth Rainbows, has been volunteering for 20 years.

She said: "It is a big commitment to be a guider and I am very grateful to all the volunteers.

"The amount of time and effort put in is immeasurable. At the moment, we need more Guiders to cope with the 400- strong membership in Penarth."

She added that an hour a night was spent on matters to do with the movement and that is not unusual.

The ceremony was hosted by chairman of the Vale Council, Harold Rees.

He said: "These awards recognise the tremendous achievements of the trained volunteers who do so much to deliver a stimulating and enjoyable programme for our enthusiastic youngsters.

"I know that a lot work has been undertaken in recent years to raise the profile of Guiding in Wales, and the movement is confident it can meet the future challenges.

"As their mission statement says, they continue to 'invest in the girl of today to achieve the adult of tomorrow'."

The evening was organised in conjunction with the South East Glamorgan Division of the Cardiff and East Glamorgan Guide Association.

County Commissioner Vivienne Grant was there to announce the winners.

"With so many other things for young people to spend their time the Guides' success is all the more interesting.

"The voluntary nature of a guider's role shows how remarkable the awards are.

"The movement was started by Lord Baden Powell's sister and will be 100 years old in 2010.

"Continuity is a priceless quality to have in any walk of life and with more than 200 years between the award winners it shows commitment."