County Commissioner Handover Service

It doesn’t seem 5 minutes let alone 5 years ago, that Mary was just becoming our new County Commissioner. Yesterday saw 5 years on and the County welcoming a new County Commissioner again – Chris Davey.

Over 170 guests gathered in Falmouth Methodist Church to see the County standard passed on again to a new County Commissioner. The County Singing Circle did us proud by singing various songs and prayers. Every Division was represented by their Division standard with the Division Commissioner and escorts from that area. Family and fellow Leaders arrived to support and thank Mary and Chris. We were also grateful that Lady Mary Holborow, Jill Kendall and Jenni Freeth (SW Region Executive Manager) were able to come too.

The service was based on a Cornish theme, with the County Standard, responsibility and commitment to a common standard – our Promise.

A presentation was given to Mary Eddy our outgoing CC to say a huge thank you for everything she has accomplished over the 5 years including the fantastic celebrations of the Centenary. Her present was a beautiful garden bench with a brass plaque which says 'Gans gras synsys dhyworth Girlguiding Kernow’ which means ‘With grateful thanks from Girlguiding Cornwall September 2011’. She was also given a cheque and a picture book of photos of her over the 5 years. Her District gave her a bag of goodies to help her settle back into the District and there was a basket of flowers and other goodies too. 

Mary has done an outstanding job as County Commissioner and will be a hard act to follow.

Chris is now in post and passionate about her guiding. She wishes to see more members and volunteers join our movement, giving them the fun and experiences that she so loves.

Chris hopes to continue to encourage the young girls and women of today to have their voice, and to provide a unique girl-only space. Every day the County provides ‘good guiding’ by following the simple principles that Baden Powell gave us, and she wants to help ensure that the County continues to do this.

Guiding follows the Guiding Method of our 5 Guiding essentials: making decisions, team work, a balanced and varied programme, and individual caring, and of course the one thing that brings us together - a commitment to the common standard – our Promise.

Welcome Chris and congratulations on your appointment. We all look forward to the next five years.