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2016 Duke of Edinburgh's Award presentation

Young people from across Cambridgeshire gathered for a special ceremony in Huntingdon to mark their achievement in gaining Duke of Edinburgh Gold awards.
 
The Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire Sir Hugh Duberly KCVO CBE presented the young people with certificates of commendation at the ceremony, which was held at Hinchingbrooke School’s Performing Arts Centre.
 
Award achievers, parents, grandparents, siblings, leaders and guests attended the presentation, which was organised by Cambridgeshire County Council and supported by Cambridge City Council, East Cambridgeshire District Council, Hinchingbrooke School, South Cambridgeshire District Council and Huntingdon District Council.


 

Several Award recipients gave speeches about their experiences, which highlighted the breadth and variety of the activities they had enjoyed to attain their awards. Participants at the presentation had taken part in activities in the UK, USA, Africa, Nepal, China, Cyprus, France and Austria. Challenge and Adventure were common themes in the young people's achievements.
 
In conjunction with the 60th year of DofE Awards a keynote speech was given by Miss Judy Scotney from Peterborough. Judy was the first girl in Peterborough to achieve her Gold Award in 1964, having already worked through her Bronze and Silver Awards. She described the structure of the award 55 years ago and told the audience her own experiences. Most notable in her award was her time learning wood-working, car maintenance and electrical safety. Her achievements were documented in a Pathe news item at the time entitled “Woman does man’s work”. This title alone showed how society has changed in the last 50+ years.
 
To achieve their Gold award each of the participants had to take part in a physical activity (Physical section), pursue a personal interest (Skill section), spend a minimum of 12 months volunteering (Volunteering section), complete a 4-day expedition (Expedition section) and join a 5 day residential experience (Residential section).
 
Individual recipients take between 12 months and 9 years to complete all sections of their awards. The final stage will be to receive their Gold certificates at a Royal presentation in St James’s Palace in London, where they will meet Prince Philip or Prince Edward.
 
To get involved in your own personal challenge anyone of any age can register for The DofE Diamond Challenge in 2016, to raise funds and help to celebrate 60 years of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award - https://dofediamondchallenge.org/
 
If you would like to get involved yourself as a DofE Volunteer leader in Cambridgeshire please contact tracy.grant@cambridgeshire.gov.uk

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Cambridgeshire County Council