Jess was presented with the Laurel award when she was giving an international training at the Cambs East county leader’s weekend at Hautbois. This award celebrates exceptional service and is only given to active members of Girlguiding who have made an outstanding contribution to guiding.
Jess has held roles at all levels from units in Pontypool and in Cambs East to county, regional and national level. Currently, among all her other roles she is now a WAGGGS trustee and World Board member.
On receiving the award she said “As chair of the Cambs East awards committee, it is usually me who is masterminding surprise award presentations – but the tables were turned a few weeks ago and I was left almost speechless! I want to say a huge personal thank you to everyone involved in the presentation of my Girlguiding Laurel Award at the county weekend at Hautbois last month. It was wonderful to be able to celebrate this with so many Cambs East friends, including Claire and ‘Netta at their last event as the county commissioner team. I was very humbled that both the current and previous chief guides, Tracy Foster and Amanda Medler, were able to join us, as well some of my close family and our region president, Rosie Spencer. I have had the opportunity to work alongside some amazing volunteers and staff in all my roles for Cambs East, Anglia and UK – and now as a member of the WAGGGS World Board. And nothing I’ve achieved would have been possible without all of them, so thank you.”
This is Girlguiding’s second-highest honour and as such there are relatively few awards given each year.
Camryn from 2nd Cottenham Brownies was presented with her Hero award which had been gained for raising over £1000 for charity. Camryn had raised this money by challenging herself to run, swim and cycle certain targets – own version of a triathlon. She had smashed her original targets both for money raised and laps/distances to aim for.
Claire has been the county commissioner for Cambridgeshire East for the last 5 years.
Louise, a Brownie leader in Waterbeach, was presented with a County brooch for excellent service to Brownies and Guides in Waterbeach, and always being ready to lend a hand to support other local units and the county, especially at the recent STEM Day.
Fran is a unit helper with Cottenham Guides. She was awarded a County brooch for outstanding service to guiding for over fifteen years and ongoing dedication to Cottenham district, especially enabling many girls to have amazing opportunities by helping units stay open when faced with closure.
Minett – County broochDeborah, a unit administrator for Cottenham Guides, was presented with a County brooch for outstanding service to guiding for over ten years and ongoing dedication to Cottenham district, especially enabling many girls to have amazing opportunities by helping units stay open when faced with closure.
June is the Milton district commissioner and a Rainbow leader in Waterbeach. She received her County brooch for excellent service as district commissioner during challenging times and for providing fun, excitement and adventure for hundreds of Rainbows in Waterbeach over many years.
Linda is the district commissioner for Chatteris district as well as being a Rainbow and Brownies leader in the town. She was awarded a County brooch for outstanding commitment to guiding, and inspirational team leadership as district commissioner for Chatteris by providing ongoing support to all volunteers, especially during challenging times.
Kate, a Guide leader and district commissioner was presented with a County brooch for outstanding commitment to guiding in a wide range of roles, providing amazing opportunities to girls at 7th Cambridge Guides and for excellent service as a commissioner, especially during challenging times.
Saskia, a Brownies and Guide leader in Ely, was awarded a County brooch for outstanding commitment to guiding in Ely City district as a leader and always being willing to go above and beyond to help other units, whilst displaying an unfailingly positive attitude and great courage.
Dani is the district administrator in Cottenham district. She was presented with her County brooch at the district Coronation party for excellent service to guiding for over fifteen years, as a Rainbow and Brownie leader and for supporting Cottenham district in a range of roles, especially as district commissioner and district administrator.
Kathryn Lampert and Stella Mills were both presented with Girlguiding good service brooch and a Hero certificate for their service in Cambs East.
Alli Orton and Ellen Tack were also presented with Girlguiding good service brooches whilst Rebecca Fisher and Chris Scott were given Hero certificates.
The 4 members of the Jarman Centre management committee were presented with Thanks badges and Hero certificates in recognition of all the work that they have done in managing the Jarman Centre house and grounds especially during the challenging times of the covid pandemic.
Geraldine Hancock was also presented with a Thanks badge and Hero certificate by Claire Course, the county commissioner, for all the help and support she has given Claire behind the scenes during her term of office as county commissioner.
Ann Mitchell, county president, and Lynn McGoff and Pauline Newman, county office staff were all presented with Anglia thanks badges.
Maria Gloag, Lynn McGoff, Pauline Newman and Hannah Reid were then given Thanks badges.
Long service awards for 50 years service have been awarded to Janet Baker (Cambridge city north), Pat Mansfield (Cambridge city north) and Suella Hunting (Whittlesford).
There have also been presentations for 40 years service to Ann Smith (Chatteris), Christine Newman (Linton), Janet Hayman (Toft), Lucy Allen (Toft), Pat Smith (Linton) and Sue Smith (Cambridge city south east).
