Memorial to Guider

Guider Margaret Osborn was recognised in her lifetime for outstanding service to the guiding movement and now a permanent memorial to her has been dedicated at the headquarters in Uckfield that she ensured got built.

A special ceremony, held on Saturday at the Osborn Hall in Hempstead Lane, was attended by many of her friends from around the county. The permanent memorial is a cabinet containing her guiding treasures like the prized Laurel award recognising outstanding service, her collection of badges and her first whistle.

Margaret died last year aged 80 and her niece asked that her guiding memorabilia be returned to the Osborn Hall. Weald division commissioner Pauline Burchett said they were pleased to accept it.

Mrs Burchett, who has been appointed assistant county commissioner, said Margaret was a genuine, lovely person and a perfect example of everything the guiding movement stood for. She was Weald division president for many years until she became less mobile and could no longer make the journey from her home in Chichester, but she stayed in touch.

Margaret moved to Uckfield in 1969. She was district commissioner between 1970 and 1979 then division commissioner. In 1975 Margaret became county secretary.

During her working career she had been secretary to the deputy governor to the Bank of England.