- Diana Scott with a Congratulations card made for her by children from St John’s Church Sunday school
Diana Scott says she’s overwhelmed at the “huge honour” of being awarded an MBE for her services to the community in Stone in the Queen’s Birthday Honours on Saturday.
Her first reaction at receiving a letter from the Cabinet Office almost two weeks ago? Shock and disbelief mainly.
“At first I thought someone was having a joke,” she says. “And then I thought, what on earth have I done to deserve this?”
Diana’s being very modest.
She was nominated by two of her best friends for the MBE for her lifetime’s devotion to the Girl Guiding movement in Stone and her amazing fundraising efforts.
Diana’s been involved in Girl Guiding in Stone from the age of 18 – a huge 50 years as a Guide Guider, Brown Owl, Young Leader Advisor, Arts Advisor and District Commissioner and, in retirement, eight years as Division Secretary. She’s now an ambassador for the Girl Guiding movement.
It’s through her membership of Stone Flower Club, the last 14 as chairman, that Diana has raised more than £50,000 over the years for a huge variety of causes including Children in Need, Girl Guiding, special needs children, church funds, Community First Responders, Staffordshire Air Ambulance and many, many more.
Diana is currently raising funds for a replacement church hall at St John’s Church in Granville Terrace. She’s also raising money for the Support Dogs charity, a cause very close to her heart, as her 11-year-old granddaughter Esme has uncontrollable epilepsy. A seizure response dog, called Meara, has proved invaluable to the family as she can sense when Esme is going to have a seizure.
“My church is a great source of strength to me,” she says, “and I’m very involved in pastoral care. St. John’s have been most generous in letting me use the church to hold flower demonstrations to raise money for other charities. I am so grateful to the fellowship at St John’s, who support everything I do.”
One of her favourite cards that she’s received over the last few days is a huge one made by the children of St John’s Church Sunday school. The congregation all sang Congratulations last Sunday, something which brought a tear to her eye.
There have been a fair few tears over the last few days.
“I’m just totally overwhelmed by all of the good wishes. People are so thrilled for me,” Diana says. “I am humbled and honoured that my friends have put me forward for this award. The reaction from friends in the groups I’m involved in has been amazing. I’ve been overwhelmed with their love and support.”
The home she shares with Ivor, her husband of 44 years, in Stafford is full of cards and flowers.
“And the phone just never stops ringing,” says Ivor, who’s obviously incredibly proud of his wife.
“I couldn’t have done all I’ve done without Ivor,” Diana adds. “We’ve only had two cars for the last 10 or so years, so for many many years Ivor – on top of working himself – had to ferry me back to Stone a few times a week so I could continue with the Girl Guiding and everything else in the town. I was born in Stone but moved to Stafford 44 years ago. I’ve never really left Stone, though.”
Diana’s looking forward to the Investiture ceremony in London later this year, when she’ll officially receive her medal.
It is richly deserved.
But perhaps the last word should go to one of Diana’s twin five-year-old grandsons, who simply said: “You’ve got this for being kind.”
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