Rosemary Jeffery
County Commissioner
I joined Brownies at the age of 7, when I grow up and become sensible/mature/adult/ don’t enjoy Guiding, then apparently, I have to leave!
I remember my Brown Owl showing us her serge underskirts to keep warm, and not being able to fly up to Guides as I had not gained enough badges. So, I made very sure that I did everything possible in Guides to get my Queens Guide – this included many wonderful camps and holidays (don’t tell Captain we climbed out of the dormitory window to go on a midnight walk!)
I went on my first overseas trip with Rangers to Our Chalet and caught a serious travel bug which I have to this day…..
I thought I was leaving Guiding when I married, but found myself offering to help with badge testing and occasionally helping a new leader close to my new home – 40+ years I am still with the same unit, although I have now handed over the reins to other leaders while I support a unit recently reopened after Covid.
I’ve held a variety of roles within Guiding- Commissioner, Adviser, Trainer and chairing P&A as well as being a Leader with Guides, Rangers and now Rainbows.
When asked about being County Commissioner I thought “WOW what would Mrs L (my guide leader) think of that?” …. In her day she could not be a commissioner as she lived on a council estate and the CC had her private estate! How things have changed.
The challenges of being CC are many and varied, but the joys are even more – none of which would be possible without an amazing team that supports me.