A LIFETIME of service to the Scout movement in Melksham has been rewarded for Anne Cranham, who has been honoured with the Silver Acorn, one of the Scouts' highest awards.

Mrs Cranham first volunteered as a Scout leader when her own sons, Lee and Rick, joined Broughton Gifford Scouts "more years ago than I care to remember", she said.

"I could not get my boys into Melksham Scouts because they were full, but we heard the Akela at Broughton Gifford was starting to take more Cubs so they went there," she explained.

"Then they wanted helpers and it just went from there."

Mrs Cranham, who has been known as Chil to generations of Cubs and Scouts, has been the mainstay of Scouting in the village as the group's chairman for 39 years, during which time it has gone from strength to strength to include all sections. She has worked tirelessly with fundraising to ensure that the Group headquarters on The Common is fully equipped with a full range of camping equipment.

She has also helped with the Beaver section within the Broughton Gifford & Holt Group for many years and also overseen the District Beavers for several years, helping to provide interesting and exciting programmes along with camps, hikes and trips. She has been the Area District Commissioner for the Beaver section for the last five years, and has also helped with West Wiltshire Cub camps, where she has cooked meals for hundreds of boys and helpers.

Now retired from her job as a special needs supervisor at first Lowbourne and then Bowerhill primary schools, she and her husband Alan, affectionately known as Mr Chil, have seven grandchildren and a great-grand daughter.

"I couldn't have done it without him. He's been a great support behind the scenes, helping with things," she said. "I shall carry on Scouting, but I am trying to have a bit more time for myself now, going to the gym and doing the things I enjoy – I do a lot of sewing."

She received her Chief Scout’s Silver Acorn Award from the Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire Sarah Troughton and was also invited to a St George's Day Scouting day of celebration and achievement at Windsor Castle.

At the service she was sitting just a few feet from Chief Scout Bear Grylls, who she met afterwards. "It was a wonderful day," she said. "The weather was magnificent. Windsor Castle was marvellous, it was really special."

Wiltshire West District Commissioner Chris Broome said: "Anne has always supported Group, District and County fully and her achievements over the past 39 years are a testament to her relentless dedication, commitment and outstanding service to Scouting."