I gained my Gold award in 1963. You had to finish it before your 20th birthday in those days and as I had only heard about it a short time beforehand, I went in as an individual direct entry. I did a range of new activities, some of which I still do today. For the 2-day expedition, I climbed Helvellyn in the Lake District which led to me climbing a lot of the peaks in that area subsequently. For the gold expedition, because there weren’t at that time any groups I could join, I spent a week helping at a Dr Bernardo home in Blackpool which was a rewarding experience.

I later worked as a Field Officer for North Yorkshire County Council and was invited to act as a Marshall at the Palace where I once again met the Duke of Edinburgh. Some of the young people I worked with achieved their Gold awards and in one particular case one boy helped me with expedition training and his daughter went on to achieve her gold. Wonderful memories for which I shall always be grateful.