Delegates in national dress at the last world conference which was held in Ireland
Wales will host the international conference of a Christian society which promotes the welfare of girls and young women this weekend.
The 21st Girls’ Friendly Society (GFS) week-long world conference will be held at Swansea University from July 25-August 3. More than 180 women and girls from across the globe will attend the event which will be chaired by the society’s current world president, the Revd Glenys Payne, from Llanelli.
GFS, which was founded in 1875, works with girls and young women in churches and community projects in 23 countries across the world.
The conference will open with a service at Brecon Cathedral on Saturday at 2pm at which the Bishop of Swansea and Brecon, John Davies, will preach. Speakers during the week include the Rev’d Rose Hudson Wilkins, Speaker’s Chaplain in the House of Commons and Chaplain to the Queen and Lynne Tembey, Worldwide President of Mothers’ Union. Delegates will also visit the Senedd to meet Ann Jones, AM for the Vale of Clwyd and Chair of the Children, Young People and Education Committee and Keith Towler, the Children’s Commissioner for Wales.
On Friday, August 1 from 1.30.pm many delegates will wear national dress and set up stalls with items specific to their country. Children and young people will be attending and craft workshops will be available.
The week will close with a colourful and informal service at St Mary’s Church, Swansea, on August 3 at which the Archbishop of Wales, Dr Barry Morgan, will preach and commission Val Gribble, of Australia, as World President of the GFS for 2015 – 2017. The service starts at 2pm and many delegates will wear national dress. The final day will conclude at 6.45pm with a reception with Lord Mayor of Swansea and a gala dinner.
Revd Glenys Payne says “We are really excited at the prospect of welcoming GFS members from all over the world. We hope the conference will forge new friendships, empower the members and promote international well being. It is also an opportunity for us to showcase Wales and some of what we have to offer.”
