A STALWART leader has retired after celebrating 50 years of service to the Girlguiding movement.
The meeting of 11th Kingswood Rangers at Badminton Road Methodist Church on November 27 was “gatecrashed” by Jackie Meech’s daughter and granddaughter, church members, guide and brownie leaders to mark the milestone.
She was presented with a card from the church and gifts including a crystal vase engraved with the Girlguiding emblem.
Jackie has been involved with the church since she was just three years old, when she joined the Sunday School.
She joined the brownies at the age of seven and the Guides when she was 10.
As a leader, she has served in many different roles, including running two Rainbow units, for girls aged between five and seven, when they were first established in 1987.
As a ranger leader Jackie was the county ranger advisor for seven years, then district commander and district advisor for the Kingswood area for five years.
When the guide unit at nearby St Augustine of Canterbury church faced closure, she stepped in and ran it for more than seven years, only leaving when she had recruited new leaders from her ranger group.
Badminton Road Methodist Church steward Nicky Budd said: “Always energetic, kind, and helpful, members of Badminton Road Methodist are very grateful to Jackie for all she has done over the years for the benefit of the many youngsters involved.
“We know that it has led to many lasting friendships and we wish Jackie every blessing in her well-deserved retirement.”