A WOMAN has been rewarded for her dedication to Tenbury's girlguiding sections. 

Meryl Handley, who has been involved with the organisation for 36 years, received the Achievement Award from Tenbury Town Council.

"I really enjoy it," said Meryl.

"We have a brilliant team in Tenbury. We do get help but other people are not willing to take on the whole role.

"The scouts had to fold for a while but are now back in Tenbury, which is brilliant."

Meryl said she only went along to help out when her eldest daughter was old enough to join the brownies.

"Later, one of the parents became poorly and I took it on - it went on from there really. I've been there ever since."

The guides go on a camping trip once a year, while trips have included going to West Midland Safari Park.

"Worcestershire County Council do several things at Blackmore near Malvern and we tend to go if there's a brownie, guide or rainbow day," added Meryl.

"One of our guides has just come back from Iceland and another went ona  10 day tour of Europe.

"We encourage girls to go on international trips."

Ludlow Advertiser: Meryl Handley with her award Meryl Handley with her award (Image: Tenbury Town Council)

Guiding began in the UK in 1910 when Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the Scout Association, established a separate organisation for girls. 

It is the largest girl-only youth organisation in the country and is supported by around 100,000 volunteers. Members start their journey as Rainbows when they are aged four to seven before progressing to Brownies. 

When they are aged 10, girls can then become Guides, with Rangers being for older girls aged between 14 and 18.

Currently, Tenbury has more than 70 girls involved in its four sections - raINbows, brownies, guides and rangers. 

Meryl says that the organisation has had to move with the times and become more modern.

"What scouts do, guides can do as well," she said.

"It is more girl-led. We listen to them and allow them to make their choices."