Newmachar resident Jenny Gray, 86, was “speechless” when she opened the letter with the news she would be getting a British Empire Medal for services to the Scouting Movement.
Last night she said had been “knocked for six” at the news and wanted to thank the Newmachar community for the nomination.
Mrs Gray started going along to Scouts when her sons started attending the group in Dyce, but “they didn’t like their mum being a leader” so they stopped.
More than 40 years later, Mrs Gray has still got her uniform and can look back proudly on her Scouting career. She said: “I helped first, just to take the boys.
“But then interest in Newmachar grew and we started out own group in the village – eventually building our own hut. I was the group scout leader for many years and I still like to go down for a visit now and again.
“I’ve made many friends through Scouting over the years – it’s like a worldwide family.
“I’m so honoured to have received this. I just couldn’t speak when I opened the letter.”
Honours: Newmachar founding scout leader awarded BEM for more than 40 years of service
