I was one of the first girls to achieve the Gold Award, and went to Buckingham Palace on a glorious summers day in 1963. The heavens opened so we were ushered into the Stables for the awards with rather soggy hats, and our wet shoes covered in sawdust! I went to the Grammar School in Okehampton, and our parents encouraged us to participate in Outdoor Activites organised by the Devon Education department so I was disappointed that I was unable to take part in the D of E whilst at school, it was available for the boys. I left school in 1960 and started my Student Nurse training at the Princess Elizabeth Orthopaedic Hospital in Exeter. This was named after the newly born, now Queen, at the request of her parents. Once settled in I started making enquiries about the Scheme. Because of my earlier contacts a Miss Elsie Gartside undertook to supervise me, along with a Miss Caselli and Mike Passmore, from Operation Dartmoor, who did the Adventure training. I have very happy memories of all the challenges and the people I met. A memorable and happy week spent at Avon Tyrrell, I learnt to drive in the Winter of 62/63, and a few years ago became an Advanced Motorist. I learnt to read Braille and walked a puppy for the Guide Dogs for the Blind and now sponsor a puppy. My nursing career took me overseas, so I have not been able to become involved with the scheme, and to my regret neither of my children have chosen to participate. The Scheme has evolved over the years and I would encourage any teenager to become involved. I did have another chance to meet Prince Phillip, when he and the Queen were visiting Zambia for one of the Commonwealth Conferences. I drove a landrover with friends and their children to greet them at our local Airstrip along with so many welcoming Zambians. Prince Phillip came over to speak to us It made me proud to see what an impact our Royal Family has around the World. What a legacy the Duke has left. Thankyou. .