Emily Syred alongside Jean Verney, County Commissioner and Brownie Ella Hickford at the Queen’s Guide ceremony at the Town Hall

A MARCH woman is the first girlguide from Fenland to win the coveted Queen’s Guide Award in 28 years.

Emily Syred, 21, was presented with the award by County Commissioner for Cambridgeshire East, Jean Verney at a special ceremony held at March Town Hall last month.

To be eligible for the award you need to excel in a number areas including developing a personal skill, working within community action projects and overseeing outdoor pursuits.

Emily sailed around Cornwall and The Canary Islands, organised a Narrowboat holiday for Senior Section members, playing the Euphonium, completed a research project on animal welfare, cycled along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal and undertook a peer education programme.

She said: “ I enjoyed the challenge of working on the award and trying out lots of new things.

“Through the award I have made many friends and it looks great on my CV as well.”

The Queen’s Guide Award is the most prestigious guiding award open to members between the ages of 16 and 25.

Susan Southwell, Emily’s former Brownie leader and assistant leader at 4th March Brownies, paid tribute to the adventurous girlguide,

She said: “I am delighted that Emily has achieved this prestigious award.

“She is a very determined young woman who generously gives of her time to help others and has gained qualifications to help the brownies through her adventures.”

The efforts of other Fenland girlguides were also recognised at the ceremony.

Jessica Tolliday, 18, from Wisbech, was awarded The Chief Guide’s Challenge, while a young leader certificate was presented to Nicola Baxter, 16, from March.

Octant Certificates were presented to Charlotte Clarke, 19, from Outwell, Nicola Baxter, 16, from March, Sophie McNamara, 14, from Wimblington and Hazel Taylor, 16, from Wisbech.