by Alan Quick

YOUNG people from around Devon are celebrating after being presented with their Gold Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Awards.

Recipients from schools, uniformed organisations and voluntary centres across the county took part in a special ceremony hosted by Devon County Council (DCC) to mark the scheme’s 60th anniversary.

They attended from DofE centres from across Devon including Honiton, Tiverton, Okehampton, Exeter, Wembury, Tavistock, Crediton, Ivybridge and Colyton.

They packed out the Council Chamber on Saturday, April 2 for the presentation ceremony to receive their Gold awards - and each and every one of them had a story to tell about the challenges and achievements along the way.

Also present were staff and pupils from Marland School, Torrington and ISCA Academy, Exeter, who are currently working towards their Bronze and Silver Awards. They attended to demonstrate to all of those present that the Award can be for everyone and that it can make a huge difference to young lives.

To be awarded their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, the young people undertook sections in: volunteering, learning a new skill, a physical activity and expeditions in teams. Those undertaking their Gold Award also had to do a week’s residential.

The awards are split into three categories, Bronze for those aged 14, Silver for 15 year-olds and Gold for those aged 16 and over.

DofE Devon is part of the Devon Youth Service and civic dignitaries who attended included DCC leader Councillor John Hart, DCC chairman Christine Channon, DCC cabinet member for Performance and Engagement Councillor Barry Parsons. Also present was Devon DofE chairman, Helen Jenny.

The awards were presented by the Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Devon, Sir John Cave, with the recipients introduced and interviewed by DCC chief executive Phil Norrey who was acting as Master of Ceremonies for the event.

Young people were honoured for a range of achievements including volunteering for a summer camp for disadvantaged children in Bulgaria, dry stone walling and taking part in conservation management research programmes.

Long-service awards were presented to three volunteer DofE leaders, Brian Cherrett from Honiton Independents, Chris Bourne from Okehampton Open Award Group and Anna Crabbe from Five Alive DofE group in Kilmington.

County Council chairman Christine Channon said: "Today the DofE is widely recognised as having a long-term positive impact on young people’s prospects as they develop vital skills for both life and work including confidence, commitment, team working and a real sense of community involvement.

"I congratulate each and every one of our award holders in Devon on their personal and team achievements but would also like to congratulate the fantastic network of support that has been developed in this area to help them along the way."

County Council leader John Hart said: "Gaining a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is an achievement in itself but it does not only equip people with the skills and experiences they gained along the way it also offers tangible evidence of what they have done and what they can they can offer to employers, colleges and universities."

GOLD FOR SAVANNAH

Savannah Clawson (20), who completed her award with Queen Elizabeth’s School in Crediton, said: "I’d always known that I would take part in the Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award as I was already heavily involved in Ten Tors so walking with heavy rucksacks and cooking on trangias was nothing new to me!"

She added: "However, the difference between DofE and other similar events is the wide range of activities that you find yourself taking part in.

"For my skill section, I learnt to juggle – something that I had absolutely no prior experience with. Within no time at all, I was competently juggling three balls and quickly moved on to juggling rings and clubs.

"I chose running as my physical activity which was something that I already took part in prior to DofE but through the challenges and aims set when planning my award, I completed my first 10 km race; the Crediton Crunch.

"I chose to volunteer in an orphanage in Bulgaria for my residential section which was one of the most rewarding things I have ever done. I underestimated just how close I would become to the children within a matter of days and am still friends with many of them on ’Facebook’ two years later.

"My practise expedition took place in the Brecon Beacons, where we had to use an emergency wet weather route on day one due to typical British weather. The next four days consisted of soggy socks and failing to pronounce the names of the Welsh hills but we all finished, bringing us one (or many) steps closer to our final expedition."

Savannah added: "I was very lucky to have the opportunity to complete my final expedition in the Bornean jungle as part of a school trip in 2013.

"This posed a whole new set of challenges to me, such as battling with high levels of humidity and trying to calm down panicked teammates when they spotted their first leech! As well as trekking through the jungle, we also learnt key survival skills such as how to find water and build a shelter from the resources around us.

"This also incorporated my volunteering section as I fundraised to buy the materials needed to construct key facilities for under-privileged villages whilst we were there. It was so rewarding to not only provide the materials but to also play a key role in the construction and socialise with the local people.

"Without the DofE award, I would never have been presented with all of these amazing opportunities so it was an honour to be invited to the Devon diamond DofE celebration, celebrating 60 years of the award.

"Taking part in DofE has left me with memories to last a lifetime and many stories to tell, as well as helping me during future endeavours, such as university interviews. DofE is available to every young person and I thoroughly recommend that everyone takes part."

GOLD FOR SISTERS

Christine Browne from Winscott Barton, Newton St Cyres, completed her award with Colyton Academy.

She volunteered at the Hospiscare coffee bar for her service, played the Oboe for her skill, played netball, completed an expedition in Snowdonia and was a volunteer for a Sense holiday for her residential.

Her sister, Katherine, who completed her award with The Maynard School, also volunteered at the Hospiscare coffee bar, learned driving for her skill, learned to swim for her physical, completed an expedition in the Brecon Beacons and was also a volunteer for a Sense holiday for her residential.