I completed my Bronze & Silver at Saltash Comprehensive School, before completing my Gold at the Kenwanne Youth Centre, also in Saltash. The attached photo is from 1977 when Prince Phillip toured the country by helicopter as a part of the Queen's Silver Jubilee celebrations. At the time I was working towards my Silver, studying pottery at the KYC for my Skill. The photo was taken in the gym of SCS, where those involved in the D of E scheme locally had gathered to greet 'The Duke'. I was to have the privilege of meeting Prince Phillip for a second time at St. James's Palace when I received my Gold award, the conclusion of a wonderful journey with the D of E scheme & a very memorable day for my proud parents.
Having been born with a hare lip & cleft palette, which resulted in me having a speech impediment, growing up wasn't always that easy. However, my involvement in the D of E scheme coincided with a speech therapist helping me to overcome my speech impediment & this combination was to be lifechanging. Through the D of E scheme I developed a lifelong love of exploring our beautiful wild spaces, particularly walking on Dartmoor & in The Lake District, but also by canoe & kayak all over the UK & in the Alps. The Physical section has led me to enjoy a wide variety of sports throughout my life, many of which I still participate in today.
The activity that had the most profound effect on my life was when I took up Judo for my Gold award. At this point in my life I was an enthusiastic, but not very competent athlete, & progress was rather slow. Through perseverance & persistence I made steady progress to the point where I was able to help out with a class for the younger members of the club. It was through this that I discovered my talent for teaching, which led to a career change from Joiner to Design & Technology teacher. As I near the end of a successful 35 year career in education, I reflect that this was largely made possible as a result of the D of E award scheme