Clowne: Catherine is awarded Guiding’s top honour

Catherine Lawrence, 20, has proven herself to be a powerful force for good in her community – having spent several years completing a series of demanding challenges to achieve the top honour.

Catherine, who is a Leader of the 1st Whitwell Guides, was presented with the prestigious award by Chief Guide Gill Slocombe at a special ceremony held at Goldsmiths’ Hall in London.

The Queen’s Guide Award, open to young women in guiding aged 16 to 25, sets members a series of demanding challenges, including embarking on an ambitious four-day expedition, overseeing a ground-breaking community action project and devoting a year to cultivating a skill of their choice.

Among the tasks Catherine chose to tackle were joining local ukulele rock band Casper and the Fleas and performing at Whitwell Music Festival, travelling to Fointainebleu in France to try out bouldering and camping beside an isolated lake in British Columbia.

“Having completed the Queen’s Guide Award, I know I want to carry on guiding and help other girls see what they can achieve and be part of,” she said,

“There are so many opportunities out there that I didn’t know about before the award.”

Gill Slocombe, added: “The Queen’s Guide Award embodies all that’s best about guiding.”

“The adventures that recipients experience, the skills they learn and the friendships and confidence they build will last a lifetime.”

Catherine joins an impressive list of former Queen’s Guide Award recipients, including BBC journalist Kate Silverton.