I was fortunate to be sponsored by my company, Stanton Ironworks Limited who put me through the scheme. I gained my gold award in June 1962 - two months prior to getting married! I matured as a person through all aspects of the scheme. For my silver award I vividly recall an enjoyable hiking weekend in the Derbyshire Peak district even though I came back foot-sore with blisters. Hiking and youth hostelling was something I had never done before. Much of my service was connected to my church, Sunday School teaching, a chorister, bell ringer and also church magazine distributor. For my gold award I spent a week at a Cheshire Home where many of the patients had ME. It was there that I met Leonard Cheshire and had an interesting talk with him about using DofE Award participants in the future. I also spent a week at Avon Tyrell in the New Forest. I valued the opportunity to go there. I met many girls all from different backgrounds. Our week was varied and consisted of an afternoon local walk, training in etiquette - we served at a dinner for Southampton University staff, we had to give a 10 minute talk and during the week make an article, eg a lampshade. My never-forget time was of course attending my presentation in the garden of Buckingham Palace where I was chosen to accept the certificates on behalf of our group. The Duke as usual wanted to speak to as many people as possible. After completing the award I was thrilled to have an article published in one of the DofE magazines. I have retained everything I had in connection with the scheme and occasionally wear my gold award with pride. I sincerely hope that the scheme continues to expand and especially for the young people of today who are having difficulty with the pandemic. I, like so many others will mourn the Duke of Edinburgh but am so grateful to be given the chance many years ago to participate in the scheme. He was a great man and will be sadly missed but left us with a wonderful legacy.