Girlguiding has announced it has completed the sale of five former activity centres it had put up for sale.

The final centre to be sold is Ynysgain, a 19th century house on the North Wales coast.

The charity said that the new owners are local to the area, are Welsh speakers, and plan to use it as a private residence.

“We have been thoughtful in our approach to the sale of Ynysgain,” said the charity’s chair Denise Wilson.

“We are pleased that the property will remain in the hands of people who are local to the area and value its place within the community, while enabling us to continue to invest in adventures for girls across the UK.”

The charity announced it was selling Ynysgain and four other centres, Blackland Farm, Foxlease, Glenbrook, Waddow Hall two years ago.

The move was criticised by Caroline Dineage MP, chair of the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee, who labelled the decision as “bizarre”.

Dineage was concerned the sales would close down “opportunities for young women and girls who would otherwise struggle to afford them”.

The decision was also looked at by the Charity Commission.

Last year Girlguiding said it was selling its Foxlease centre in Hampshire to a campaign group of volunteers from the charity, despite initially rejecting their bid.

Also last year Blackland Farm in Sussex was sold to an adventure activities operator led by a local group.

Girlguiding said that money from the sale of all five centres has been put “in a designated fund that will honour the legacy of the properties and enable us to invest in the future of Girlguiding”. 

This will offer grants to support girls “to try new things and build their confidence”.  It is also “supporting our future by improving our digital tools and making our archive accessible to all. 

New CEO of Girlguiding in Scotland

Meanwhile, Girlguiding Scotland has announced the appointment of Kim Atkinson as its new chief executive. She joins from Scottish Sports Association, where she has been CEO for the last 16 years.

“I look forward to working alongside our incredible volunteers and staff to deliver a shared vision of an equal world, where girls can find their voice, discover their best selves and make a positive difference, today, tomorrow and together,” said Atkinson.

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