Going Forward 2022 -2023
ANNUAL REPORT July 2022 –Sept 2023
As this is my first annual review report since I took on the county commissioner role in July 2022, I would like to acknowledge the work that Julie Craven, our previous commissioner, did during her term of office which included the very challenging times of the pandemic. Despite the situation, she managed to keep the county running and encouraged our members to continue guiding in whatever form was permitted.
It’s been a busy year and our membership has grown by at least 1000 since last February, there have been many changes in the learning development programme, branding and Queens Guide award. The county has more than 1050 volunteers running 300 units. At the beginning of September we had just over 4100 our young members.
Our county mourned the passing of our patron, HM The Queen, with members volunteering at the funeral, taking part in commemoration services, putting on displays and writing to the palace.
In October, the county recognised its many volunteers who had reached special milestones during the pandemic years. A celebration tea was held, which represented more than 700 years service between all attendees.
The county continues to be grateful to The Jack Petchey Foundation for its support in recognising our young members and leaders with certificates and very generous grants. The awards evening at The Charter Hall was very well attended by recipients and their families.
The Winter Challenge was launched in November to encourage units to collect donations for local food banks. Many units visited food banks and learned about packing the parcels and how they are given out to clients. 2000 badges have been given out to units across the county who took part, and we are overwhelmed by the tonnes of donated food which is supporting local families.
County meetings have resumed face to face but we have embraced new technology and Zoom meeting are held when appropriate. The district commissioner ‘air and share’ evening has been reintroduced and numbers are growing at each one taking place.
Many members celebrated Thinking Day on 22nd February by raising money for the WAGGGS fund and learning about guiding around the world.
The county has embraced the new Girlguiding branding, the media and communications team have managed the roll out of new promotional items including banners, stickers, and a new office sign. Whilst we appreciate this has been a significant cost, the display items have already been used at many events to promote guiding in our county.
One such even was Essex Pride which was a great success and enabled us to reinforce the message that we are for all girls – and gives us the opportunity to engage with a diverse range of people to ensure Girlguiding is as inclusive as possible.
Our talented members have taken part in Gang shows across the county, we value our relationship with local scouting to enable this to continue. Do support your local gang show, you are guaranteed an evening of entertainment!
Members celebrated the Coronation of HM King Charles III in many imaginative ways including taking part in our county coronation challenge.
We are excited to have taken over the region “Smashing Boundaries” cricket challenge and have developed a strong partnership with Essex Cricket in the Community.
GENE, our county’s very own radio show continues to be broadcast on the first Sunday of each month and give our members a platform to have their voices heard. Many of the GENE team go on to study media and work in the industry, they welcome members of all ages to get involved and take part in the shows.
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The Queen’s Guide award has been updated and guiding members may now complete the award before their 31st birthday, this change has inspired several members across the county to work on the award, and the county has two young members who have completed their awards and are awaiting sign off from the Chief Guide.
Thanks to our county trainers there have been many training opportunities including first response, leadership and commissioner trainings. Our learning and development team are working tirelessly in the background to offer further training opportunities to our members.
The Outdoor team has been very proactive in offering opportunities to our members and have also undertaken new qualifications to broaden the offer.
Now residential venues are fully open many leaders have taken their units away on adventures including trips to Hautbois in Norfolk, Wellies & wristbands, Colchester Castle, and many local venues.
As a county, we are trustees of Essex International Jamboree 2024 (EIJ2024) , we are encouraging leaders to achieve their Going Away licences so they can attend this and other events.
Girlguiding International opportunities are in the pipe line and we look forward to when county trips resume.
There are many exciting opportunities via our Duke of Edinburgh scheme, we are proud to offer this to our young members.
We would like to thank our unit treasurers for paying membership fees on time, our accounts can be viewed on the county website and our finances continue to be managed to benefit our members.
Centrally located, the county office provides a focal point and “home”. It continues to offer support and guidance to our members and volunteers and as well as being an excellent venue for meetings provides printing and storage.
Girlguiding in Essex North East is popular and spaces are in demand, we have waiting lists in most areas for girls wanting to join Rainbow and Brownie units. We continue to welcome new volunteers and appreciate our dedicated volunteers who give girls the opportunity to experience guiding.
I give my heartfelt thanks to my county team and all our amazing volunteers.
Sue Sutton County commissioner
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Annual Report 2022- 2023
After the problems of Covid and the lockdown all Guilds are now enjoying full meetings.
We celebrated the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with an afternoon cream tea at Prances. Everyone enjoyed the day, chatting with friends and taking part in various activities on site. It was a grand day with the sun shining down.
Many thank to Sue Bennett and the Three Rivers Guild for the lovely evening we spent in her beautiful garden with many members of different Guilds attending. Again, the weather was kind to us and we were treated to a delicious barbeque followed by tasty desserts.
In July 22 members from ENE travelled to Guideacres in Benfleet to join with ESE and Essex West for the Three Counties Day which was last held before Covid. The theme was Commonwealth Games and during the morning we were able to take part in various activities including craft and games. In the afternoon teams from each county took part in “races” to decide who would win the Challenge Cup. I’m delighted to report that ENE were the winners! Many thanks to the good sports who agreed to become members of the team.
Sixty-four members attended the county lunch in September including Evelyn Walker and Vivienne Smith from region together with Ann Hollington from ESE.
As usual Colne Valley did us proud with a lovely meal which was followed by a really entertaining talk by Brian Carline on growing up in the 1940s and 50s. Sheila Everitt then awarded 60 year service badges to Gwen Wyman, Mary Ellard and Thelma Nobes. Many congratulations to them all. The raffle raised £150 for the Alzheimer’s Society.
At the end of September the Anglia Region Houseparty was held at Foxlease. ENE was well represented on both holidays. The theme this year was Commonwealth Games. Everyone enjoyed the chance to catch up with old friends and make new ones. The main event of the holiday was a trip to Brownsea Island where many of us were able to explore and see red squirrels in a natural environment. Members were able to take part in many activities including walks in the New Forest, archery, craft as well as trails around Lyndhurst and the grounds of Foxlease. The evenings included curling, horseracing, country dancing and a quiz. On the final evening we were entertained by different members reading poems and singing songs which gave us all a good laugh.
Around the county, Guilds have been involved in many different activities. Braintree have had cookouts at Prances and talks about recycling and guide dogs for the blind. Their annual outing was to West Mersea for the day. Chelmsford North had an interesting talk on the role of a female funeral director and also raised £150 for Ukraine from a bring and buy sale.
Clacton Night Owls have been busy planting spring bulbs in the church garden, have played carpet bowls and walked with alpacas.
Maldon visited Hazeleigh Woods in April for a walk and chance to hear nightingales sing. The Three Rivers Guild had an exciting time in “The Escape Room” where they had to solve clues to open padlocks to gain entry to the next room. Witham, apart from lots of meetings and outings where food was involved also had a very interesting speaker who brought along a beautiful black Labrador who is in training to be a medical dog and detect medical conditions such as diabetes. Wyvenford in April were given a talk by a member of the Wivenhoe blood runners team. These volunteers ferry blood to hospitals and clinics in Essex.
In June 2022 the county Skreens Park weekend was finally able to go ahead after 2 years of waiting. 22 guild members stayed for the whole weekend with 11 pitching camp. 11 others joined for the Saturday. They all had a very enjoyable time with many activities including crafts, air rifles, abseiling and zipwire. I gather that the frisbee golf was the most popular event and caused the most laughs. Many thanks go to Mavis, Sue and their team for organising this. Another has been organised for July 2023.
2023 is Trefoil Guild’s 80th Anniversary and many Guilds are taking part in the 80th Anniversary Challenge. This means that we will have a very busy year ahead of us. Our County Thinking Day service was held at the Kelvedon United Reform Church on 26th February. It was well attended by most of the Guilds. The theme chosen was “Our World – Our Peaceful Future”. This was evident in the
choice of readings, songs and hymns that were chosen. The County song Group and the Witham Handbells also contributed.
Over 30 members attended the Anglia Trefoil annual review at St Ives, Cambridgeshire in April and were given a very informative talk on the history and making of the Anglia standard.
On the 3rd June, 39 members took the coach to Wroxham where we were able to have lunch and explore the town. Later we travelled to Hautbois House for a delightful afternoon tea and a walk around the beautiful grounds.
We held the Three Counties day event in July this year, as well as the County residential at Skreens.
In August we held a celebratory Barn Dance and look forward to the Annual County lunch to be held in November.
I would like to give my very grateful thanks to the County team for all their help this year in organising events and to all the members who have been able to support them.
Anne Pope ENE County Trefoil chair
Essex North East County Guides
Income & Expenditure Account for year 01/04/2022-31/03/2023
| Income | 31/03/2023 | 31/03/2022 | Expenditure | 31/03/2023 | 31/03/2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon funding | 28.08 | 24.44 | Awards inc LSA | 0.00 | 1,288.02 |
| Anglia Sustainability Grant | 3,333.50 | 7,994.00 | Bad Debt recovery | 156.86 | 1,477.57 |
| Bad Debt repaid | 156.86 | 1,477.57 | Badges | 480.00 | 0.00 |
| Bank Interest | 472.25 | 24.04 | Bank Charges | 66.80 | 17.00 |
| Business Rates Refund 21-22 | 356.32 | 0.00 | County Executive Expenses | 1,804.93 | 596.84 |
| Challenge Badges | 81.18 | 3.70 | County Scarves | 0.00 | 1,100.00 |
| County Scarves | 267.00 | 0.00 | Duplicate insurance payment | 0.00 | 437.00 |
| Donations | 135.00 | 50.00 | ECVYS membership | 105.00 | 25.00 |
| Essex Lottery | 31.00 | 0.00 | Email Hosting | 2,134.80 | 748.80 |
| Events: | Events: | ||||
| none | 0.00 | 0.00 | Annual Review 2023 | 50.00 | £0.00 |
| International | 0.00 | 50.00 | Awards Tea - October 2022 | 460.12 | 0.00 |
| Jack Petchey | 19,584.42 | 19,983.00 | Jamboree 2024 | 3,833.34 | 833.33 |
| Jack Petchey returned funds repaid | 892.07 | 0.00 | Grants to Committees: | ||
| Membership Subscription loans repaid | 40.00 | 0.00 | County Archives | 200.00 | 0.00 |
| Membership Subscriptions | 41,022.00 | 9,193.10 | GENE | 500.00 | 500.00 |
| Office Printing | 57.60 | 94.70 | Outdoor | 0.00 | 500.00 |
| Photocopier | 6,391.96 | 0.00 | Insurance | 857.39 | 759.80 |
| Postage | 8.15 | 0.00 | Jack Petchey | 25,767.42 | 16,150.00 |
| Refunded duplicate payment | 0.00 | 960.00 | Jack Petchey unused funds returned to JP | 892.07 | 0.00 |
| Refunded insurance payment | 0.00 | 437.00 | Leader Uniform Vouchers | 350.00 | 225.00 |
| Riffhams Contribution from Essex SE | 810.00 | 0.00 | Membership Subscriptions loaned from county | 3,306.50 | 0.00 |
| Training Refund | 90.00 | 0.00 | Mentor Expenses | 0.00 | 82.35 |
| Office Costs inc Salaries & Repairs/Maintenance | 25,354.05 | 16,309.07 | |||
| Photocopier | 10,366.95 | 3,797.17 | |||
| Publicity | 888.99 | 274.99 | |||
| Riffhams | 1,620.00 | 0.00 | |||
| Subscription Payment | 800.00 | 730.00 | |||
| Support Grants | 60.38 | 540.00 | |||
| Swiss trip repaid | 0.00 | 45.00 | |||
| Thank you gifts | 213.13 | 623.09 | |||
| Training | 90.00 | 460.00 | |||
| Walking Expenses | 187.20 | 0.00 | |||
| Website | 1,604.00 | 258.00 | |||
| Zoom | 143.88 | 143.88 | |||
| Total | 73,757.39 | 40,291.55 | Total | 82,293.81 | 47,921.91 |
| Income over expenditure | -8,536.42 | -7,630.36 |
Essex North East County Guides
Balance sheet for year 01/04/2022-31/03/2023
| Retained Surplus brought forward Excess/(Loss )for the year Retained Surplus carried forward Represented by: CAF Account HSBC Deposit Account HSBC Current Account Petty Cash Total Balances held by Advisors: Archives Badge Account Gene Guiding Development International Outdoor Riffhams * £13245 ringfenced for toilet fund Total Total Held by County |
31/03/2023 £ 127,696.70 -8,536.42 119,160.28 71,162.12 42,831.28 5,117.33 49.55 119,160.28 254.43 4,296.68 awaited 3,526.79 9,479.83 2,312.84 16,581.62 36,452.19 155,612.47 |
31/03/2022 | 31/03/2022 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ 135,327.06 -7,630.36 127,696.70 |
|||||
| 70,903.66 44,117.49 12,617.59 54.55 127,693.29 |
|||||
| 123.52 5,132.69 665.00 2,041.67 9,429.83 1,486.33 16,097.60 34,976.64 |
|||||
| 162,669.93 |
Of which £25,000 is reserved for Office Expenditure
Prepared by: Julie Saffrey (County Treasurer) Date 01.05.23
Reveiwers Certificate: The above statements agree with the records and vouchers of Essex North East Girlguiding for the financial year ended 31 March 2023
Reviewed by: Jemima Hanberger Date 31.05.23
Essex North East County Guides
Income & Expenditure Account for year 01/04/2022-31/03/2023
| Income | 31/03/2023 | 31/03/2022 | Expenditure | 31/03/2023 | 31/03/2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon funding | 28.08 | 24.44 | Awards inc LSA | 0.00 | 1,288.02 |
| Anglia Sustainability Grant | 3,333.50 | 7,994.00 | Bad Debt recovery | 156.86 | 1,477.57 |
| Bad Debt repaid | 156.86 | 1,477.57 | Badges | 480.00 | 0.00 |
| Bank Interest | 472.25 | 24.04 | Bank Charges | 66.80 | 17.00 |
| Business Rates Refund 21-22 | 356.32 | 0.00 | County Executive Expenses | 1,804.93 | 596.84 |
| Challenge Badges | 81.18 | 3.70 | County Scarves | 0.00 | 1,100.00 |
| County Scarves | 267.00 | 0.00 | Duplicate insurance payment | 0.00 | 437.00 |
| Donations | 135.00 | 50.00 | ECVYS membership | 105.00 | 25.00 |
| Essex Lottery | 31.00 | 0.00 | Email Hosting | 2,134.80 | 748.80 |
| Events: | Events: | ||||
| none | 0.00 | 0.00 | Annual Review 2023 | 50.00 | £0.00 |
| International | 0.00 | 50.00 | Awards Tea - October 2022 | 460.12 | 0.00 |
| Jack Petchey | 19,584.42 | 19,983.00 | Jamboree 2024 | 3,833.34 | 833.33 |
| Jack Petchey returned funds repaid | 892.07 | 0.00 | Grants to Committees: | ||
| Membership Subscription loans repaid | 40.00 | 0.00 | County Archives | 200.00 | 0.00 |
| Membership Subscriptions | 41,022.00 | 9,193.10 | GENE | 500.00 | 500.00 |
| Office Printing | 57.60 | 94.70 | Outdoor | 0.00 | 500.00 |
| Photocopier | 6,391.96 | 0.00 | Insurance | 857.39 | 759.80 |
| Postage | 8.15 | 0.00 | Jack Petchey | 25,767.42 | 16,150.00 |
| Refunded duplicate payment | 0.00 | 960.00 | Jack Petchey unused funds returned to JP | 892.07 | 0.00 |
| Refunded insurance payment | 0.00 | 437.00 | Leader Uniform Vouchers | 350.00 | 225.00 |
| Riffhams Contribution from Essex SE | 810.00 | 0.00 | Membership Subscriptions loaned from county | 3,306.50 | 0.00 |
| Training Refund | 90.00 | 0.00 | Mentor Expenses | 0.00 | 82.35 |
| Office Costs inc Salaries & Repairs/Maintenance | 25,354.05 | 16,309.07 | |||
| Photocopier | 10,366.95 | 3,797.17 | |||
| Publicity | 888.99 | 274.99 | |||
| Riffhams | 1,620.00 | 0.00 | |||
| Subscription Payment | 800.00 | 730.00 | |||
| Support Grants | 60.38 | 540.00 | |||
| Swiss trip repaid | 0.00 | 45.00 | |||
| Thank you gifts | 213.13 | 623.09 | |||
| Training | 90.00 | 460.00 | |||
| Walking Expenses | 187.20 | 0.00 | |||
| Website | 1,604.00 | 258.00 | |||
| Zoom | 143.88 | 143.88 | |||
| Total | 73,757.39 | 40,291.55 | Total | 82,293.81 | 47,921.91 |
| Income over expenditure | -8,536.42 | -7,630.36 |
Essex North East County Guides
Balance sheet for year 01/04/2022-31/03/2023
| Retained Surplus brought forward Excess/(Loss )for the year Retained Surplus carried forward Represented by: CAF Account HSBC Deposit Account HSBC Current Account Petty Cash Total Balances held by Advisors: Archives Badge Account Gene Guiding Development International Outdoor Riffhams * £13245 ringfenced for toilet fund Total Total Held by County |
31/03/2023 £ 127,696.70 -8,536.42 119,160.28 71,162.12 42,831.28 5,117.33 49.55 119,160.28 254.43 4,296.68 awaited 3,526.79 9,479.83 2,312.84 16,581.62 36,452.19 155,612.47 |
31/03/2022 | 31/03/2022 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ 135,327.06 -7,630.36 127,696.70 |
|||||
| 70,903.66 44,117.49 12,617.59 54.55 127,693.29 |
|||||
| 123.52 5,132.69 665.00 2,041.67 9,429.83 1,486.33 16,097.60 34,976.64 |
|||||
| 162,669.93 |
Of which £25,000 is reserved for Office Expenditure
Prepared by: Julie Saffrey (County Treasurer) Date 01.05.23
Reveiwers Certificate: The above statements agree with the records and vouchers of Essex North East Girlguiding for the financial year ended 31 March 2023
Reviewed by: Jemima Hanberger Date 31.05.23