I echo the thoughts and recollections of many I've heard over the last few days.
I gained the Gold Award in 1971 at the age of 17 but the process of doing the programme changed my life.
As a non academic, 11+ failure and daughter of a lorry driver and cleaner the ambition others had for me was that I would become a bank clerk. There is nothing wrong with being a bank clerk but doing the Scheme taught me the only boundaries that existed were the ones I imposed on myself. I did some random things like model aeroplane making and makeup and hairstyles (part of what was the Design for Living section for girls at the time) but it was my volunteering and kayaking together with the people and the shared experiences that impacted my life most.
The Gold Award on my (relatively short) list of achievements opened the door to higher education where I qualified as a Teacher/Youth Worker. That led to a 40 year career in Youth and Community work both in local authority and the voluntary sector.
In my last professional position I had the pleasure of welcoming the Duke to the project I led. When the time came I forgot all the rehearsed formal words and said inappropriately and clumsily that he was responsible for where I was then while pointing to my Gold Award pin. Indeed he was but I could have said it properly. I think he got the sentiment as he laughed.
When I heard of the passing of the Duke I was sad but then hunted for my Gold Award pin and have been wearing it with real pride and a smile. Thank you...