Enfield's Olympic Torch Bearers

Enfield division are very lucky to have two Olympic torch bearers! Julia Bailey and Helen coningsby.

Both Ladies will be caring the touch on the 25th July! For more information please visit the Enfield website.

Julia became the joint Brownie Leader of 8th & 26th Enfield Brownie group in 2004 to prevent the from

closing and has run the unit since 2006. Julia has been a leader with Brownies and Guides for the past 18 years after gaining her leadership qualification in 1994. 

The group includes children where English is not the first language and integration with others helps to grow their confidence. Julia's group has also had a deaf and mute brownie and Julia and the children learnt basic sign language so that all of the girls to interactive with each other. Julia has also volunteered at church youth groups over the past 10 – 15 years.

Julia Bailey and her Brownies

Julia and Helen

In 2001 Julia had an accident which left her with two cracked discs and in constant pain until eased

in 2008 by an operation and procedure called Dynesis which means that she now has 6 2 inch   titanium

screws in her lower back. This shows an even greater commitment to the community that these

activities have continued despite her illnesses, which most people do not know about as she never

complains. Julia also has arthritis in one of her knees.

Since 2005 she has taken part in four 5k events raising over £2,500 for various charities. The

last race was completed with 3 friends and a walking stick just 2 weeks before her back operation in

September 2008.

Helen has been at the 5th Enfield Guides since she was 10, she became a young leader and then gained her warrent to become a leader. Helen came back to guides after she went to University and at this point there was about 8 girls who had turned 14 but didn't want to leave the unit, herself and the other leaders spoke to them about becoming young leaders but they couldn't take on 7 young leaders and they wanted to stay at the unit so Helen decided to open a Ranger Unit, she gained her Ranger Warrant and Camp Licence and gradually the unit grew. 


Helen decided to go travelling for a year so two of the Rangers gained their licences before she left and they did a good job keeping the unit going while she was away, this was nearly 10 years ago and now the unit regulary has between 15-20 Rangers they meet every week and plan thier own programme, including Summer camp for a week every year.

Helen's unit had a recruitment drive for leaders about 2 years ago and through an advert in the paper they found new leaders who have been with them since then, Nansi is now training to become a Rangers leader so Helen has since moved back to run the Guide company.

Helen is currently preparing to gain her guide camp licence and is looking forward to the fantastic year ahead celebrating the Queens Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics.

Helen's partner Oscar nominated her for her volentry work and since nominating Helen he has started volenteering at a local Hospice.