A BROWNIE and Guide leader who was awarded an MBE in the New Years Honours was recognised by Girl Guides in Prudhoe as part of World Thinking Day.

Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, senior section and adult leaders came together at Prudhoe Community High School on Saturday where they celebrated the day by learning something about five different cultures.

World Thinking Day is celebrated in all 150 countries where Girl Guiding and Girl Scouts have members and this year’s theme was ‘making an impact’.

Julie Dixon, who was awarded an MBE in the 2018 New Year Honours for her contribution to voluntary services in Northumberland, was presented with an award by members of Prudhoe Senior Section Abby Orcherton and Alicia Cowell.

Julie led Prudhoe Brownies and Guides for 20 years and held many roles with Tynedale East Division and the county, and is also former joint county commissioner for Northumberland.

She said: “I am most proud when I hear of the achievements of our young members and how Guiding has supported them to reach their full potential. Guiding is very much a team effort. Local units are run by teams of local volunteers and this is very much the heart of Guiding. The many successful events that have been organised are due to the exceptional team we have in GirlGuiding Tynedale East.”

During World Thinking Day, the girls from Tynedale East Division, which covers from Heddon-on-the-Wall to Corbridge, took part in activities inspired by five different countries, each of which has a World Guiding Centre.

They were Sangam, in Pune India; Our Chalet in Switzerland; Our Cabana outside Mexico City; Pax Lodge in London and the newest ‘centre’ Kusafiri, which moves around Africa with each event.

They completed activities such as making salsa for Mexico, taking a lesson in Bollywood dancing for India and making drums and trying their hands at African rhythms.

Ravinda Cheema, who taught the girls Bollywood dancing, said: “It is so important that kids learn about other cultures. I can see the girls have had a lot of fun this afternoon, and I hope they will take the message of ‘one world’ away with them.”

Four other leaders were presented with long service awards: Chloe Chalmers from Prudhoe Guides for five years’ service; Cathy Parker and Fiona Forsythe from Stocksfield Guides for 10 years’ service, and Jill Scott from Stocksfield Rainbows and Brownies for 20 years’ service.