The Queen's Guides who proved police officer wrong in 1980

A group of five Bognor Regis Guides celebrated gaining Queen's Guide badges after proving a police constable wrong.
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The 14-year-old girls, Ann Rae, Caron Dorey, Sarah Crespi, and twin sisters Anita and Hazel Piece, were awarded their badges in 1980.

All five were members of the Third Bognor Regis (St Mary’s) Company.

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The team of Guides decided to take on the Queen’s Guide challenge - the highest award a guide could achieve - in order to prove local police constable Bob Minty wrong, when 18 months ago he challenged them to work for the badges.

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Bob said: “My wife Margaret used to lead the Second Bersted Guide Company.

“She was a Queen’s Guide, the girls saw her certificate, and I jokingly said I didn’t think they were good enough to get the award.”

PC Minty’s challenge only made the girls more determined - between them, after almost two years of hard work, the group obtained 128 interest badges, three religious knowledge badges, and a patrol camp permit.

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They completed more than 200 hours of community work and 100 days in guide camps.

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They were presented their badges by district commissioner Mrs Anne Latter at a ceremony which showcased some of their work.

Guider of Third Bognor Regis Company, Mrs Elise Pierce, mother of Anita and Hazel, presented the certificates.

PCMinty said afterwards: “I think its great. They have worked very hard and I am very pleased for them.”

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Meanwhile, a group of scouts were awarded for their first aid skills.

Other local people were having fun in 1980 by taking part in a pancake race through Chichester.

Rachel Lowe and Julian Ingle, both of Downviw Road in Barnham, both aged 17, took first places in the races for women and men.

Along with other competitors, they pounded along the then-newly surfaces pedestrian precinct in North Street.

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Rachel was a student at Chichester College of Technology, and had also won the race the previous year.

She put her success down to rigorous training for the egg and spoon races in her school days.

She deftly evaded race organiser Martin French’s plan to give her a heavy plan.

Julian was involved in a very close finish with Martin Seely, 16, of Eastergate.

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It appeared to be a dead heat, but Julian got the prize due to alleged dirty tossing by Martin at the turn around.

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