Three Moulsham Lodge women have been honoured for their dedication to Girlguiding over the last 50 years with prestigious long service brooches.

The specially-designed brooches, each one different according to the length of service were presented by Helen Venner, Girlguiding Essex North East County Commissioner at a recent ceremony at St Lukes Church, Moulsham Lodge, Chelmsford.

Monica Panks, a Brownie Leader, was honoured for 20 years’ service, Cynthia Walker, former leader and now a District secretary, 30 years and Margaret Judd an amazing 50 years of service.

Margaret started her Guiding life in Edmonton in 1954.

Margaret came to Chelmsford in 1963 and ran 1st Moulsham Lodge Brownies; she became Moulsham District Commissioner in 1972 and held that position for 10 years, which was the norm in those days! Somewhat different to the three and five year term we have nowadays.

In 1982 she became a leader at 1st Moulsham Lodge Guides and then in 1984 decided life as a District Commissioner was such fun that she took on that role again. It didn’t last quite such a long time this time round and in 1986 she took over as Chelmsford South Division Commissioner.

A role which lasted for 12 years, again somewhat different to nowadays.

After this Commissioner role she took on the Warrants and Registrations then in 1998 took a break from Guiding and joined the Trefoil.

However she didn’t stay away for long as back in 2001 she returned to Guiding as Chelmsford South’s Division President.

Even with all her breaks in Guiding, Margaret has managed to clock up a grand total of 56 years! An amazing amount of time to be given to our organisation. County Commissioner Helen Venner, said “I am so grateful for the time our Leaders give to guiding and the opportunities they give to our girls which prepare them so well for the future. "All our Leaders give freely of their time and energy and these Leaders in particular have given an extraordinary amount of years to our organisation and so many girls have benefited from this.

"So with great apologies for this somewhat overdue presentation, I was pleased to present Margaret her 50 year service badge.”

Girlguiding Long Service Awards are given to members over the age of 16 who have volunteered for the charity for five, 10, 20, 30, 40 or 50 years.

In Chelmsford there are more than 300 who want to take part, and Girlguiding Chelmsford North & South needs volunteers to give time to support their local groups.

For more information, call our County office on 01376 570464 or visit www.girlguiding.org.uk.