After becoming a Queen's Guide at 16 years old , I was encouraged by my district Commissioner to join the D of E award scheme. I had four years to gain the gold award and I achieved this through the Girl Guides, an Outward Bound course and my nurse training. On 20th July 1969, I arose early to watch the first moon landing and then took the train from Manchester to London to receive my certificate at Buckingham Palace. I was impressed by the Prince's well worn but highly polished shoes. In our group, he spoke to a young man who was an apprentice at the Barrow-in-Furness shipyard. Up till then, it had never occurred to me that anyone could do the DofE outside Guides and Scouts.
Sometime later, I mentioned to an aunt that I hadn't found the DofE too difficult. Her response was that I had shown 'stickabilty'. I think that 'stickability' and resilience to whatever life throws at you is a legacy of the DofE award scheme, particularly when undertaking the expedition sections of the award. I now live on a remote hill farm in Cumbria and I keep sheep. I can no longer walk the long distance of a day's hike, but I still love to read any map.
We DofE award holders must be a modest bunch as I do not know of any fellow award holders within my circle. The award scheme develops skills for life, and that is what we do -get on with life.