Girlguiding Launceston were well represented at the annual celebration held by Girlguiding Cornwall at the Wadebridge Showground recently.

This is an event that is attended by many Girlguiding members to hear what everyone has been up to over the past twelve months. It is also a chance to catch up with old friends and to celebrated achievements too.

Four of Launceston’s local leaders were recognised during the afternoon.

First was Jade Curtis — she received her Queen’s Guide award along with two other people from other Cornish Units. Jade had brought along a display to show everyone many of the things that she had done while working towards the award. Jade worked her way through Brownies and Guides at Tregadillett. Then on through the Rangers and now she is a Leader with the Rangers.

Then the long service awards were presented. Emma Boucher received her twenty year award. Emma worked her way through the Rainbows, Brownies and Guides at Tregadillett before becoming a Leader herself with Tregadillett Rainbows and Guides. She is also currently joint District Commissioner for the District too. She gives up many hours of time to her voluntary work and has recently gained her minibus licence which will enable her to take her girls on more exciting adventures.

Both Lyn Jones and Sara Fuge received their 30 years award. They both were signed up at the same time back in 1992. Both ladies got into becoming leaders when their daughters were involved in Brownies.

Although Lyn was never a Brownie herself as it wasn’t available when she was growing up, she first started volunteering with Altarnun Brownies as the treasurer. Then a few years later the leader at the time was moving on to something new, she was asked if she would take it on as leader. At the time there were only six girls attending and Lyn didn’t think the Unit would last long - 30 years later, she was proved wrong.

Sara was originally a Brownie and Guide in Hampshire where she grew up and became involved with it again when she used to stay at meetings occasionally when her daughter was a Brownie at Tregadillett and would help girls to gain the cooks badge. Then after around twelve months, the leaders at the time were both moving on, the Unit was set to close unless new leaders could be found to run it. Sara stepped in along with some other ladies to take it on. Thirty years later, it continues!

Sara has had several other roles in the past — District Commissioner and other District administration roles and the Unit usually go on an annual Pack Holiday. This carried on throughout the various restrictions over the past couple of years - virtually! Sara’s father was involved with Scouts for many years and her paternal Grandmother was one of the very first Guides and Guide Leaders over a hundred years ago, so she was very proud to have been her father’s record of 20 years.