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Margaret Baker receives MBE

 

After dedicating almost a lifetime to guiding, Margaret Baker from Girlguiding Arun Valley Division, Sussex West has been rewarded in this year's New Year Honours List and is to receive an MBE.

 

Margaret started her guiding almost 80 years ago when she joined the Brownies when a new unit was opened in Barnham. By the time she was a Guide her family had moved to Littlehampton, where Margaret then moved up to Rangers. Having enjoyed helping at Brownies as an adult during the war years, Margaret was instrumental in starting up a new Brownie unit at St James' Church in East Ham Road, Littlehampton in 1952, as well as starting a Guide unit there in 1954.

 

Margaret's most treasured moments with the Guides were during the Queen's Silver Jubilee celebrations in 1977. "I think what stuck out in my mind was travelling up to Withdean Stadium, it was a sea of Guides! On every train there was a mass of blue! It was a brilliant moment that I know I will never forget!"

 

Margaret continued her guiding and has held a number of roles over the years, including being Sussex West County Trefoil Guild Chair from 1993-98. Margaret also played a vital role in single-handedly raising more than £10,000 for the recently built Littlehampton Girlguiding Centre, which was opened by Liz Burnley in 2009. Grandmother-of-three Margaret said "I raised about £700 during my 80th birthday, asking people to donate to the centre, instead of buying me presents."

 

Although now 86, Margaret still enjoys being involved in guiding and currently represents the Littlehampton Trefoil Guild on Girlguiding Littlehampton & Arundel District's committee, as well as enjoying Trefoil Guild activities and keeping up with all her guiding friends.

 

Margaret feels very proud to be receiving an MBE, although she is shocked that she had been nominated. "I think there are a lot more people who deserve this award more than me, but it is nice to see that a normal person could get it and I am ever so proud to receive it." Margaret received a letter from the Cabinet Office in November telling her that she would be receiving the award and had to keep it all secret until the Honours List was published, which she admits was very difficult! Margaret added "I feel very humbled by the whole experience. I have done volunteer work for so many years, I just never expected to be rewarded like this."

 

This particular MBE award is proving to be a very popular decision as, despite her own modesty on the subject, Margaret has so far received over 70 cards and letters of congratulation. As well as congratulations from no less than seven county commissioners, Margaret has received two very special messages from the Chief Guide, Gill Slocombe and HRH Sophie, Countess of Wessex!

 

Many, many congratulations Margaret from everyone in Girlguiding LaSER!

 

Stoolball Competition

 

Very many congratulations to the County stoolball team, who are now the reigning champions following the inaugural Stoolball Tournament between the 3 Girlguiding Sussex Counties on Sunday.  In the first match, Girlguiding Sussex East beat Sussex Central.  In the second match, we beat Sussex Central, so the final match between us and Sussex East turned out to be the decider.  It was tense and the competitive nature of both teams really began to show as the game progressed.  In the end it was a very close run thing, but Sussex West were declared the winners and were presented with their certificates and medals by Alison Bruce, Assistant Region Chief Commissioner. 

 

Thanks very much to those of you that came along to support the team - your support was very much appreciated.  If you weren't there you missed a good day out!  At the end of the tournament everyone agreed that it had been a really successful day and we now plan to make this an annual event.

 

Congratulations once again to all of the team, many of whom had never played stoolball before, or hadn't played for years.  You all showed a real sense of camaraderie, team work and sportsmanship (or should that be sportswomanship?!).  Here's to retaining the title next year!

 

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Access to Nature

 

Access to Nature is a £25 million grant scheme to encourage more people, from all backgrounds, to understand, access and enjoy the outdoors.  Access to Nature is funded by the Big Lottery Fund's Changing Spaces programme and Natural England.
Access to Nature will fund projects in communities across England , and is about the natural environment and green spaces  including projects in urban areas such as London . The priority will be to fund projects that make a lasting change to communities in areas of high social, economic and/or environmental deprivation.
The Access to Nature website (www.naturalengland.org.uk/accesstonature) includes more detailed guidance about the scheme as well as access to the online application forms.
Applications will be accepted from not-for-profit organisations including registered charities, voluntary and community sector organisations, local authorities and other public sector bodies.  To qualify for funding organisations must show evidence of partnership working and how they intend to involve the people they are trying to reach in developing, making decisions about and implementing the project.
Access to Nature will normally make grants of between £50,000 and £500,000.
The Access to Nature Grant Scheme is now open for applications and grants will be made during 2008, 2009 and 2010.
Application forms can be completed online www.naturalengland.org.uk/accesstonature or contact Joanna Watson (Access to Nature Regional Adviser, London ), on 020 7932 2242 or joanna.watson@naturalengland.org.uk

 

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Job Advert - Wanted: Boating Adviser(s)

Needed, as soon as possible, enthusiastic and motivated person(s) to continue the development of boating activities within Girlguiding Sussex West.

Due to the nature of this role, relevant qualifications are essential - boating, sailing and water endorsements.  

To find out more please contact, Gillian (Chair of the Programme and Training Team) or Angela (County Commissioner) - contact details in County Address Book or e-mail us.   We look forward to hearing from you.

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Last updated: 29/01/2012