Two Marsden men have received their British Empire Medals.
Scout leader David Wilkins and community stalwart George Beardsall both received the honours from the Lord-Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, Dr Ingrid Roscoe, at a lunchtime celebration function held at Bowcliffe Hall, Wetherby.
The British Empire Medal was re-introduced as part of the Honours Awards in 2012 and there were just seven recipients in West Yorkshire.
For 46 years, Mr Wilkins, 67, has provided selfless and inspirational work with young people through Scouting and has helped in all aspects of village activities in a lifelong commitment to helping people and enriching life in the area.
His association with the 14th Huddersfield Scout Group began when he was a scout himself at the age of 12. He went on to become a leader at the age 20.
In the ensuing years, he has held the position of Assistant Cub Scout Leader from 1966 to 1969 when he took the role of Scout Leader. A position he held until 1982, before becoming Group Scout Leader, a post he continues in to this day. Mr Wilkins has also held the position of Assistant District Commissioner for almost 10 years.
The success of the group as a flourishing organisation is credited to his tireless work and, over the years, he has been awarded the Scouts Medal of Merit in 1991 and later the Silver Acorn in 2009 in recognition of good services to Scouting.
Mr Wilkins is also proud to be a member of the Holme Valley Mountain Rescue Team and has assisted in many search and rescue events. He continues to be a support member and was awarded a 20-year service certificate by the Mountain Rescue Association.
Mr Beardsall, 79, has improved the lives of young people and the wider community of Marsden for over 40 years.
He was the instigator, unpaid volunteer and committee chairman at both the Marsden Open Youth Club, between 1974 and 2004, and the Marsden Sports Hall, from 1988 to the present day.
In 1974, with the help of his wife Enid, George established and supervised a pre-school playgroup in Marsden, which is still running in the village today. Over the last 38 years, he has continuously committed a huge part of his life to the benefit of the population of the village, particularly its young people.
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