Congratulations Sheila Pick BEM

We are delighted to announce that Sheila Pick our GSL/Cub Scout Leader has been awarded the British Empire Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for services to Scouting in Leicestershire and Northamptonshire.

The report from Northamptonshire Telegraph online reads

Mrs Sheila Margaret Pick, of  Oundle, has been recognised for her contributions to the scout movement after almost 50 years of work to provide young people with important life skills.

The 65-year-old first joined the movement in Leicestershire in 1968 but moved to the Oundle branch when it was on the verge of shutting down in 1987. She has since orchestrated a fundraising campaign to put a child in Africa through school, taught scouts the value of teamwork and problem-solving over countless camping trips and in 2009 she was awarded the Bar to the Silver Acorn for her good service.

“I was shocked to receive the letter about the BEM,” she said, “but I was delighted.

“I believe that the scouting movement really teaches value to children, especially these days. On my camps, mobile phones are not allowed and it encourages them to work together, to invent their own games and really enjoy themselves without spending so much money.

“It gives them a chance to actually talk to each other face-to-face and gives them a little freedom.”

A former secretary, Mrs Pick still does part-time banking work and gets involved with various initiatives within the community.

She said: “Scouting has always taken up the majority of my time and I have always enjoyed it – especially getting to meet lots of new leaders and helpers over the years.

“I always took my two daughters on camps, and now my four granddaughters have followed in our footsteps too.”