A LOCAL scout leader who has been part of the association for over 45 years has been given a prestigious award, recognising her ‘outstanding’ contribution to the community.
Assistant district commissioner – Beavers, Anne Cranham, has been in the role for 10 years and has worked within the Wiltshire West District for over 45 years. She has assisted in helping to deliver county workshops for the Beaver and Cub sections and has represented the district at top meetings.
“Anne, over the last few years, has gone above and beyond her role,” explained district lead volunteer for West Wiltshire Scouting Group, Christine Broom. “She has enabled many colonies to continue by standing in on a weekly basis when there have been leadership shortages, travelling across the district to Bowerhill, Melksham, Broughton Gifford and Holt and currently Southwick and North Bradley, giving many additional hours to her role.”
Over the years, Anne has helped run the District Beavers in between volunteers taking on the role, helping to provide interesting and ‘exciting’ programmes, along with camps, hikes and trips. She has been a campfire leader for 25 years and holds an archery permit and has offered taster sessions to young people at the local camp site in 2023, as well as being part of the team running the District Archery Competition.
“During the Covid-19 pandemic, Anne also worked to offer scouting sessions via Zoom which she had to learn to operate, joined in with colonies’ programmes, giving countless hours of her time,” says Christine.
“She has always supported groups in the district and county fully, and her achievements over the past 45 years are a testament to her relentless dedication, commitment and outstanding service to Scouting.”
Outside of her role as a scout leader, Anne, who won Melksham News’ Person of the Year competition in 2015, takes part in many community groups, such as country dancing and ladies’ skittles, and works at a care home to run sing-along sessions.
“I was awarded the Silver Acorn back in 2017, which was really, really nice,” explains Anne. “This award is the Bar to the Acorn; since 2017, I have still been beavering away, organising things for the district team, and getting the beavers all together to keep them going.
“It’s always nice to be recognised for something that you enjoy doing. I was one of these mums who got involved when my sons started. The boys moved on, but mum stayed. I was chairman at Broughton Gifford for 42 years.
“My highlight of being involved is friendship. I love seeing the children enjoying themselves. I like seeing the children get something out of it. It’s just nice because it gives them an opportunity to do things that they might not have done in normal life or at school. It gives the children the chance to experience other things and make friends as well, hopefully for life.”
