Chief Commissioners Award, Girl Guiding North West England - awarded to Gillian Lewis

On 1st February Gillian Lewis from Albion URC was presented with the Chief Commissioner’s Award – from the Region Commissioner, Girlguiding North West England.  The award is given to recognise excellent service within Girlguiding North West England.

Gillian started at 9th Ashton (Albion) Brownies at the age of seven – in those days Brownies met in the Albion Sunday School building on Penny Meadow, not the church.  Gillian went through Brownies and Guides, gaining her Queen’s Guide aged fifteen.  As a twelve-year-old Guide, she helped at Brownies as a Pack Leader, went on to be a Young Leader and then Adult Leader.  Sixty years later Gillian is still “Brown Owl” at Albion Brownies, plus the Guide and Ranger leader.  Gillian received her 50-year service award in 2024.

Over the years Gillian has had many roles, District, Division and Assistant County Commissioner; Treasurer of several units; County Brownie Residential Adviser; Trustee of Seven Springs OAC (camp site in Disley) and others.

Gillian’s favourite role has always been with the girls in the unit, supporting and encouraging the girls and seeing them develop to become confident young women.  Gillian has taken girls on holidays and camps almost every year!  Destinations varied from local indoor accommodation in Greenfield, Marple and Rochdale, camping in Disley and Sheffield, and Rangers have been on Adventures in Prague and Berlin.  She has led several trips to London and Paris /Euro Disney.  Gillian often meets ex-Brownies who always reminisce about the camps and holidays she took them on.  Many of Gillian’s ex-Brownies have brought their girls to Albion Brownies – the first one that joins and says “my grandma was in your Brownies” – Gillian says she might retire!!