LEARNING Portuguese, presenting research internationally for a global charity and working to improve lives in Africa are just some of the activities young guiders from Swindon and north Wiltshire completed in the past year.

And the achievements of leaders were recognised during a special presentation evening at the County Ground, with Wiltshire’s Lord Lieutenant Sarah Troughton and the county commissioners presenting 13 different awards.

Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire Sarah Troughton presented, on behalf of the Queen, two of the highest awards a young guider can achieve.

The Queens Guide accolade was presented to Gemma Curtis and Jenny Wilson, who chose individual projects that would boost their learning and help others over a two-year period.

Jenny, 26, learnt Portuguese and volunteered at the Prospect Hospice charity shop, as well as researching the textile recycling industry and opening an opportunity for an international working trip to Tanzania.

“The thing I am most proud of is my outdoor challenge, where I led a group on a 154km, seven-day camping trip along the West Highland Way in Scotland,” she said.

She helped the 16th Swindon Brownies and Guides, as well as the 8th Guides and Rangers.

Volunteering at her local Oxfam shop opened doors for 25-year-old Gemma, who saw the good work of the charity and went on to present their research to conferences all over the UK and internationally.

She also inspired her peer group, representing them at regional and national conferences and took on the County Rainbow Adviser role to encourage learning among the youngest members of Girlguiding.

She was linked to the 1st Chippenham Rainbows.

The Southwest’s Compass award, the most recent acknowledgement of adult Guiders achievements, was presented to Vivien Price, who has devoted 23 years to developing the learning of the Rainbows, Brownies and Guides in Wiltshire.

As well as the awards to leaders for five, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 years’ service, the younger members of the organisation were recognised also with 1st Aldbourne Guides Megan Goddard, Gemma Howard, Alice Rysiecki and Rachel McGovern presented with their Baden Powell awards, the highest a Girl Guide can achieve.

Chief Guide Gill Slocombe recognised the hard work of Senior Section girls Amy Kitchener, Jessica Elliman, Lauren Goddard, Bethany James and Livi Salman, who were presented with the Chief Guides Challenge badge.

Volunteers Heather Drewett and Liz Fleming were presented with the second highest award, the County Standard, for their dedication and tireless work in helping its leaders provide a better learning base for young women.

The county’s highest and rarest award, the Silver Bustard ( county emblem), was presented to Pam Penney and Judy Paginton for their life-long enthusiasm and commitment to sharing knowledge and skills with everyone in Girl Guiding.