Girlguiding members gather for campfire

Wed, 20 Jul 2022

More than 300 members of Girlguiding Isle of Man joined together for a campfire earlier this month.

The gathering, which saw Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, Rangers, Leaders and Trefoil members from all over the Island come together, was the first all-Island event since Covid. It was held to recognise the end of Karen’s Walker’s term as Girlguiding County Commissioner and to welcome her successor, Su Simpson, to the role.

Karen has held Executive roles in GirlGuiding for several years. She was appointed to the role of Assistant Island Commissioner in 2015 and Island (County) Commissioner in 2016. The County Commissioner role should have ceased in October 2021 but Karen extended her term due to the pandemic. In January this year she was awarded the prestigious Laurel Award for her outstanding contribution to Guiding.

Karen commented: “I have enjoyed a fantastic few years as Island Commissioner with some highlights being lighting the Queens Jubilee Beacon, visits to Government House, doing the Scoreboards with the Scouts, meeting Princess Anne, Going Wild with Wallabies and I’ve watched lots of girls flourish and grow into confident young ladies. I am immensely proud of Girlguiding Isle of Man’s achievements over the past six years and I would like to extend my thanks to everyone who has supported me in my role with a particular shout out to Alison Craig and Shirley Strathdee who have been my ‘right hand ladies’ throughout.

“I was thrilled to host an Island event before my term came to a close. It was a wonderful campfire with brilliant attendance, from 4 year old Rainbows to our Trefoil ladies, with everyone taking part in the campfire songs!

“I would like to take this opportunity to wish Su the best of luck in her new role. She is an enthusiastic, reliable and popular leader and I have no doubt she will do a wonderful job. Girlguiding Isle of Man is in great hands!”

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