'I've been a Girlguiding leader for 60 years'

A woman has marked her 60th year as a Girlguiding leader – earning her a service award presented by a celebrity and an afternoon tea.

Marion Davies, from Trowbridge in Wiltshire, began volunteering for the organisation when she was 18, and has no plans to stop.

"I love the outdoors, I love the camping and giving the girls the opportunity to enjoy it and appreciate it," she said.

Her award was presented by Phil Harding, an archaeologist who starred on Channel 4's Time Team and who is also a deputy lieutenant for Wiltshire.

Growing up, Ms Davies's father and his side of the family were involved in Scouting, which she said prompted her and her two sisters to become Guides.

All three sisters went on to become Girlguiding or Cubs leaders, and have all now marked 60 years.

Guides are aged 10 to 14 and can learn a wide skills range of skills including camping, first aid and fundraising.

Ms Davies said she and a friend had to get special permission to lead a unit aged 18 as leaders are normally at least 21.

She has volunteered ever since, while working as a florist and having children. "It's just become a way of life," she said.

She continued: "I've had some super girls go through the unit and I'm so pleased to say that a lot of them are still now my friends.

"A lot of them have gone on to do exceptional things. They write me lovely verses and stories thanking me for what I've done."

Speaking about the afternoon tea, said: "I just feel so, so blessed because I can't believe that everything that they did was for me."

Ms Davies said there were lots of stories she could tell, recalling one in which a Guide complaining about hot weather had been soaked with a bucket of water by her mischievous companions.

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