Peter Smith
I completed all three stages of the DofE through the 1st Enfield Boys Brigade company in the late 1960's/early 1970's. I have many great memories of the award.
The various sections made me do things I would not have tried otherwise - e.g. achieving athletics standards and helping in the community.
The expeditions stand out and I can still remember each one - especially the gold expedition in the Peak District. Curlews crying out as they circled round one campsite in the evening, passing Alport Castles in the mist, walking 19 miles in one day (not a good idea!). It gave me a life-long love of the mountains such that I climbed all the mountains over 2000 feet in England & Wales.
Around 1970, The Duke of Edinburgh visited Forty Hall in Enfield to see how the scheme was progressing. When he was inspecting a group from the Boy's Brigade he stopped & asked me about my expedition. To my surprise, the local newspaper published the attached photo of him trying to hear what I was saying (I was very nervous!).
Being invited to Buckingham Palace to receive my Gold award was another memorable occasion, crowning several years hard work with a very special day.
I am very grateful to the Duke of Edinburgh for instituting the award system. It widened my horizons, introduced me to the mountains and helped me learn how to work hard to achieve a goal.
The various sections made me do things I would not have tried otherwise - e.g. achieving athletics standards and helping in the community.
The expeditions stand out and I can still remember each one - especially the gold expedition in the Peak District. Curlews crying out as they circled round one campsite in the evening, passing Alport Castles in the mist, walking 19 miles in one day (not a good idea!). It gave me a life-long love of the mountains such that I climbed all the mountains over 2000 feet in England & Wales.
Around 1970, The Duke of Edinburgh visited Forty Hall in Enfield to see how the scheme was progressing. When he was inspecting a group from the Boy's Brigade he stopped & asked me about my expedition. To my surprise, the local newspaper published the attached photo of him trying to hear what I was saying (I was very nervous!).
Being invited to Buckingham Palace to receive my Gold award was another memorable occasion, crowning several years hard work with a very special day.
I am very grateful to the Duke of Edinburgh for instituting the award system. It widened my horizons, introduced me to the mountains and helped me learn how to work hard to achieve a goal.
