FIVE women from Gloucestershire have been honoured for their dedication to Girlguiding with a prestigious Compass Award presented by Girlguiding South West England Region.

• Joy Hopkins from Mid Gloucestershire Division received her award for services to Guiding at Unit, District and Division level.

• Diane Ansell from Girlguiding West Division received her award for enabling more girls to experience Guiding by opening up a new Brownie unit in Cam by working efficiently with local leaders.

• Emma Byrne from Girlguiding Mid Division received a Chief Commissioners Commendation for continuing to run her unit despite illness.

• Val Thomas, Division Commissioner for Girlguiding Gloucester Division, received her award for her services as Activities and Adventure Team Leader for Gloucestershire and as Walking Adviser for the South West.

• Tracey Phillips from Girlguiding Gloucester Division received her award for services to Guiding at Unit, District and Division level.

The five leaders were presented with certificates, badges and bouquets by Girlguiding South West England’s Chief Commissioner, Solange Rebours and the organisation’s President, Ruth Sara, at a ceremony at Millfield House Hotel in Salisbury on Sunday, September 7, 2014.

Diane Ansell said: “I was delighted and humbled to receive the award for initiating the opening of new units in my district. To me it was just a way of giving more girls their own space to be girls and allow any girl who wants it, a chance to be a member of our Girlguiding family.”

Val Thomas said: “It was an honour to receive the Compass Award as it is recognition by our peers. Guiding is for the girls and playing a part in encouraging the girls to have their own voice and their own space is rewarding in itself. The Compass Award is the icing on the cake!”

Joy Hopkins said: “I've been an adult leader for over 25 years holding posts at Unit, District, Division and County level during that time. I love running my Brownie unit which is always full with a waiting list. I enjoy sharing with the girls the skills I learnt as a Brownie, but enabling them to meet the new challenges they face in life. I think it important that the girls are given a girl only space to be themselves and express their ideas. I was so surprised to hear I was nominated for this award and felt really proud to receive it on Saturday from Solange.”

The Girlguiding South West England Compass Award is given to recognise the dedication of members at local level who freely give their time week after week to provide good quality guiding to the girls in their units and to the benefit of their local community.

The Chief Commissioner’s Certificate of Commendation is awarded to a member or non-member of Girlguiding South West England who has shown outstanding courage in her/his personal life whilst demonstrating great commitment to Guiding in their community.

Gloucestershire County Commissioner, Carole Pennington, said: "Congratulations on receiving this well-deserved award in recognition of all that they have done over the years to encourage so many Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Leaders to enjoy the fun, adventure and friendship of Guiding"

In Gloucestershire there are 663 girls who want to take part, and Girlguiding Gloucestershire needs 40 more volunteers to give time to support their local groups.

Girlguiding gives girls and young women their own space to have fun, grow in confidence and discover their full potential. For more information, call 0800 1 69 59 01 or visit www.girlguiding.org.uk