A NEW awards ceremony was held to celebrate success in Girlguiding across south Cumbria.

53 girls received individual honours at the ‘Aspire’ event, which was inaugurated by Sarah Beale, the new county commissioner for Girlguiding Cumbria South.

Many others represented units which collectively received prizes.

Ten-year-old Lana Hamilton, from 1st Dalton St Mary’s Guides, described how she worked towards her ‘Explore Arts’ award by writing poetry, taking part in a local production of The Railway Children and trying her hand at calligraphy.

Several older guides talked about growing up with Girlguiding and the opportunities it had given them.

For example, Verity Shaw, 21, a leader at 1st Crosscrake Guides, was about to set off for India where she would spend six months as a volunteer at Sangam, one of five world centres for the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts.

Pictured: Five-year-old Sophie Jackson (left) and six-year-old Esther Attwood from Lyth Valley Rainbows receive their Rainbow Gold awards from Verity Shaw.