As good as the best, as bad as the worst, everyone is equal!

This favourite saying of Hilda Vaughan typifies her outlook and attitude on life. So who is Hilda Vaughan? Ask almost anyone in Monmouth, and they may well tell you she was a local councillor for many years, and indeed at one time the Mayor of Monmouth. Others will say that they remember her as the grill chef at Sterretts Restaurant and bakery (now the Ruby Tuesday's shop), and for many years as the School cook at Wyesham Infants and Juniors. In fact, while working as a cook, she also supplied most of the school dinners to the outlying Monmouth Schools. One of Hilda's many "claims to fame" is that she has prepared meals for Les Dennis, The Four Tops, Freddie Mercury, with Queen, and David Cassidy, while they were recording songs in Monmouth. Scouting has played a major part in Hilda's charity work that began way back in 1968 when she became the Akela at the 1st Wye Scout Group, meeting in the church hall behind what is now Wetherspoons. The first thing she did apart from training at the Gilwell Park Scout Centre, was to find grant money to make the hall a safe place for the youngsters, and that same Scout Group stayed in existence until modern safety issues, wear and tear forced the closure in 2004. In the 1980's Hilda was appointed Assistant District Commissioner and then District Commissioner to become "The Boss". To all this we now add a founder member of the Scout Fellowship that started in Monmouth around 1990 and she was appointed President to the Monmouthshire Scout District in 1995 a post she still holds. During this long service to Scouting she has accumulated a number of awards including the rare "Bar to the Silver Acorn". It's a long time since she was born in Chippenham Gate Street, Monmouth, the second eldest of six children, we think, sometime between the world wars? (she will not let us know exactly when, but we guess nearer the second than the first!). Hilda has helped so many people in and around Monmouth, and is still very active in her "Last of the Summer Wine" years Her many friends will remember that until recently her husband Tom, who was always by her side to give support and advice, sadly he is no longer with us. Hilda's interest and support for Scouting continues to this day and many of her "Cubs" still remember the help she gave them, including a Doctor at Neville Hall who recently treated her! If you know her, you will never forget her, as she is never backward in keeping her views known! Hilda we salute you.