Girlguiding Cumbria North Honours Volunteers For Up To 60 Years Of Dedicated Service
Girlguiding Cumbria North has honoured long-serving volunteers at a special celebration recognising decades of dedication to young people across the county.
More than 100 volunteers attended a thanks and recognition afternoon tea at The Greenhill Hotel in Wigton, where 80 people received awards for service ranging from five to 60 years. The gathering provided an opportunity to recognise the commitment of volunteers who have supported the organisation over many years, while also marking the end of the current county commissioner team's term of office. The celebration brought together members from across the county to share experiences and acknowledge the contribution they have made to local guiding activities.
The event marked the conclusion of County Commissioner Ann-Marie Steel's six-year term leading Girlguiding Cumbria North. Her period in the role extended beyond the usual four or five years, partly because she took up the position just as the Covid-19 pandemic began. Restrictions created considerable challenges for local units, with some unable to meet in person, others temporarily closing and many having to move activities online. The extended term gave her additional time to help rebuild the organisation and restore opportunities for girls and volunteers following the disruption.
Ann-Marie organised the recognition event alongside Assistant County Commissioner Helen Marrs, whom she described as a key source of support throughout her time in office. The afternoon was intended to thank volunteers who had supported activities, events, gatherings and training weekends over the previous six years. Attendees were able to reconnect with fellow members, enjoy afternoon tea and reflect on the experiences they had shared. Flowers, badges and chocolates were also presented as part of the celebrations, adding a personal touch to the recognition of long-standing service.
Two of the most significant awards presented during the afternoon recognised an extraordinary 60 years of volunteering. Sue Grainger and Eileen Jennison both received awards marking six decades of service to Girlguiding Cumbria North. Ann-Marie highlighted the achievement, noting that both women were in their early eighties and remained active leaders. Their continued involvement demonstrates the lasting commitment of volunteers who have dedicated much of their lives to supporting girls and maintaining guiding activities within their communities.
The celebration also recognised other volunteers who had completed 40 and 50 years of service. These milestones reflected the contribution of people who have continued supporting the organisation across different stages of their lives. Long-serving volunteers often provide valuable experience, continuity and knowledge to local units, helping maintain activities and supporting newer leaders as they develop their own skills. The range of awards presented during the afternoon illustrated the breadth of commitment within Girlguiding Cumbria North.
Alongside the long-service honours, the event introduced special awards designed to recognise individuals whose contributions have made a particular difference to the organisation. These included the Golden Osprey Award, a new county commissioner honour for volunteers who demonstrate exceptional commitment and dedication. Four Golden Osprey awards were presented to Helen Marrs, Anne Livingstone, Chris Eglin and Lorraine Bearchall Healy. The awards provide another way to acknowledge volunteers whose efforts extend beyond their regular responsibilities.
A further distinction was the Free Spirit Award, presented to Hannah Barwise in memory of Val Kenny, a much-loved Girlguiding leader who died in 2025 while still actively involved in the organisation. The award was established to preserve Val's memory and recognise volunteers who demonstrate the practical, grassroots commitment that keeps local units running. Its design incorporates glass butterflies and owls, reflecting Val's love of those animals and providing a lasting tribute to her contribution to guiding.
Ann-Marie explained that the Free Spirit Award was created to honour people who work directly with their units and girls, taking initiative and ensuring activities continue successfully. The Golden Osprey Award, meanwhile, allows fellow leaders to nominate colleagues and provide evidence of their achievements, although the county commissioner can also present it at their discretion. Together, the awards establish a way of celebrating volunteers whose contributions might otherwise go unrecognised, while creating lasting legacies connected to the organisation and its members.
Two Laurel Awards were also presented during the event. These are among Girlguiding's significant national honours, recognising substantial contributions at county, regional and North West levels. One award went to Jocelyn Hetherington, while the other was presented to Ann-Marie herself. The county commissioner said she was surprised by the recognition and especially moved because members of her family were present, having kept the award a secret for months. The honour provided an additional acknowledgement of her contribution during a particularly demanding period for the organisation.
Although Ann-Marie is leaving her county commissioner position, she intends to remain involved in guiding and continue supporting young people. She will carry on working with the Brownie and Girlguiding unit in Workington, remain a first response trainer providing first-aid training to other leaders and take up a new role as young leader adviser. These responsibilities will allow her to maintain her connection with the organisation while supporting both young members and the volunteers who help deliver its activities.
Ann-Marie's involvement with guiding began when she was seven years old, growing up in Newcastle. Before the introduction of Rainbows, she participated as a Brownie and Guide, later undertaking leader training and volunteering with a Brownie unit in Carlisle after moving to the area. Following another move west, she worked across different sections, including Brownies, Guides and the senior section. She subsequently served as division commissioner for Solway, covering the Workington division, before being nominated for the county commissioner position.
One of the major challenges during her leadership was rebuilding the organisation after the pandemic. Ann-Marie explained that several units had closed and many leaders had been lost, while some groups also faced financial difficulties. Re-establishing membership, rebuilding volunteers' confidence and restoring opportunities for activities required sustained teamwork. She credited the division commissioners, county advisers and wider leadership team for helping achieve progress, emphasising that the recovery had been a collective effort rather than the work of one individual.
Ann-Marie also highlighted the continuing importance of Girlguiding in helping girls develop confidence, practical abilities and social connections. She described how young members can arrive at their first meeting feeling uncertain, but gradually gain confidence through activities and friendships. Opportunities such as residential trips, outdoor cooking, putting up tents and speaking in front of others help girls develop useful life skills. She believes these experiences make Girlguiding a valuable environment for personal development, offering young people opportunities to learn and grow together.
The recognition afternoon brought together the achievements of volunteers at different stages of their guiding journeys, from members celebrating five years of service to those reaching six decades. It also provided an opportunity to acknowledge Ann-Marie's leadership through the disruption of the pandemic and the subsequent rebuilding of local units. With new awards established in memory of dedicated members and long-serving volunteers continuing their work, Girlguiding Cumbria North has celebrated both its history and the people helping to sustain its future.
For further local news, community updates and story tips, contact news@lakelandpost.co.uk or 01768 862313.