My sister Melanie and I commenced the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme via Finvoy Girls Brigade in 1983. We both obtained our Bronze awards in March 1984, our Silver awards in March 1985 and our Gold awards in 1987. It was a very special time for our family when both of our parents accompanied us to St James’s Palace in November 1988. I was selected to answer a question from the Duke of Edinburgh on our expedition in the North Antrim hills which the Duke of Edinburgh was very knowledgeable on.

It was the first time 3 sets of sisters in Girls Brigade NI obtained the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards at the same time. The other sisters were Claire Anderson (nee Dysart) and Hilary Gilmour (nee Dysart) who also completed their awards via Finvoy Girls Brigade. The other 2 sisters completed their Gold Awards via Ballyweaney Girls Brigade. Their names I don’t remember exactly, but their surname was Christie prior to both of their marriages.

Gillian Anderson (nee Taylor)