Guides mentor Judith Ann Walters gains New Year MBE

A woman who has dedicated 42 years of her life to girl guiding is among those named on the New Year Honours list.

Judith Ann Walters, 67, of Ceredigion, became an MBE for services to young people.

She set up a guide unit in Lampeter with a friend after learning it did not have one and has since held various role in the movement.

Other awards go to bath lift inventor David Garman and museum curator Paul Evans.

Since moving to Wales Mrs Walters has had numerous Girlguiding UK roles, including district commissioner and Ceredigion County Commissioner.

Heritage and tourism

She said guides had changed over the last 42 years but she believes it still has a place in society.

"It's a girl's-only place so girls can feel free to do things they might not feel free to do in a mixed society," she said.

"I like to think a lot of the girls I have been involved with have found things [from girl guiding] that have helped them in their life."

Now an archivist, mentor and international advisor, Mrs Walters said she was shocked to have been honoured.

David Garman, who founded care equipment manufacturer Mangar International, has been awarded an OBE for services to the healthcare industry.

Mr Garman, 92, of Llandrindod Wells, Powys, invented the world's first powered portable bath lift.

Meanwhile, Paul William Evans, curator at the Internal Fire Museum of Power in Tanygroes was awarded a British Empire Medal for services to the preservation and promotion of British industrial heritage and tourism.