The first time I met HRH was in Harrogate during the celebrations of the 25th Anniversary. The schools from Sunderland joined together and sung a local song The Lambton Worm. We all dressed in the clothes of the industries of the North East of England.
In July 1984 two weeks before I joined the WRNS, my brother received his Bronze Award and I received my Gold badge at Sunderland civic centre. I have uploaded a photograph of us together the the former Mayoress whose husband had presented me with my Bronze and Silver Awards.
I received my Gold Award in February 1985, proudly wearing my WNRS uniform with my |HMS Neptune Cap Tally, having recently completed my training and joined my first establishment. When it came to my turn for HRH to talk to me, he shook my hand and looked at my cap tally, saying "Ah HMS Neptune, that is in Portsmouth isn't it." I replied "No Sir, it is the Clyde Submarine Base in Scotland." He replied Oh of course it is."
I thoroughly enjoyed participating in the scheme and firmly believe that this helped me join the WRNS.

I am so proud of my awards and the skill that I learned for my Gold Award - knitting has helped keep me sane during lockdown.
I am not afraid to take up new challenges or skills and at the age of 52 I took up Fly fishing, achieving my first Scottish Cap with the Scottish Ladies Team.

My daughter followed me and received her Bronze and Silver awards, though unfortunately due to a theft of her laptop at university she was unable to submit her final gold expedition report and so was not able to receive her gold award.

I feel that our lives would have been completely different if it had not been for Award scheme and the lifelong friendships that have been the result.
Thank you