Madam, After a thrilling year of centenary celebrations and fun for over half a million members across the country, Girlguiding UK is beginning its second 100 years of existence – and the good news is, we are still going strong.

For the next century, our challenge as an organisation remains the same: to provide girls, young women and volunteers with a wonderful array of opportunities that are not only fun, but will help them all develop as individuals. And for Girlguiding Midlands – Herefordshire is one of the region's 11 counties – there are new challenges and beginnings ahead.

Lesley Knighton, the region's Chief Commissioner (lead volunteer), has completed an immensely successful five-year term of office, and Girlguiding Midlands would like to thank her for her work helping to provide enjoyment to many thousands of girls and young women since 2005.

Her work – particularly during our centenary celebrations – saw Guides 'stampeding' across Europe, as well as 20,000 Girlguiding Midlands members at Drayton Manor Theme Park for a spectacular carnival.

As the new Chief Commissioner, with the help of our dedicated volunteers, it is now my responsibility to continue Lesley's outstanding work and ensure that girls and young women in Herefordshire continue to get the same level of fun and opportunities. Overseeing guiding across the Midlands for the next five years will be a challenge, but it's one I am relishing, and I am delighted to be playing such a key role in the largest organisation for girls and young women in the UK.

One thing is for sure: there isn't a better time to get involved in guiding. Whether it's a young five-year-old girl joining her local Rainbow group or someone volunteering to become a Guide Leader, the opportunities we offer have no boundaries. To find out more about guiding in Herefordshire, please call 0800 1 69 59 01 or email [email protected]">[email protected].

Sally Illsley, Chief Commissioner,

Girlguiding Midlands