Peter Wren
I attained the Bronze Silver and Gold Awards through the secondary modern school in Tunbridge Wells I attended in the sixties/early seventies. The school’s DofE reception was where the badges were awarded and the head made much of the fact that we four lads were the first from there to go to Buckingham Palace in say it’s twenty five to thirty year history.
On the day, we were grouped together in the state ballroom for SE England recipients, there being six marshalling groups under each of the largest chandlers that hung from the ceiling that I have to this day seen. We waited for an age before the arrival of His Royal Highness, the interval being filled with music from the band of which ever household division was commanded to put both recipients and supporters at ease.
When the Duke of Edinburgh came round to talk to each group in turn, I was asked by him as to where went for our expedition. The answer was in our case was Exmoor Devon, to which he quipped, didn’t you find that rather limited to achieve the required fifty miles of wild country in four days with it’s other objectives to be reached along the way.
One of my fellow recipients then replied that in order to complete this challenge we went round twice. At this point I think the Duke was urged to move on and not repeat the circuit in the ballroom.
On this occasion I was accompanied by my father, it was a very memorable day for both of us and a pleasure to meet His royal Highness.
So now being retired I can remiss on the day which was 2nd May 1972 and my time afterwards as a DofE panel member in Tunbridge Wells and expeditions assessor.
On the day, we were grouped together in the state ballroom for SE England recipients, there being six marshalling groups under each of the largest chandlers that hung from the ceiling that I have to this day seen. We waited for an age before the arrival of His Royal Highness, the interval being filled with music from the band of which ever household division was commanded to put both recipients and supporters at ease.
When the Duke of Edinburgh came round to talk to each group in turn, I was asked by him as to where went for our expedition. The answer was in our case was Exmoor Devon, to which he quipped, didn’t you find that rather limited to achieve the required fifty miles of wild country in four days with it’s other objectives to be reached along the way.
One of my fellow recipients then replied that in order to complete this challenge we went round twice. At this point I think the Duke was urged to move on and not repeat the circuit in the ballroom.
On this occasion I was accompanied by my father, it was a very memorable day for both of us and a pleasure to meet His royal Highness.
So now being retired I can remiss on the day which was 2nd May 1972 and my time afterwards as a DofE panel member in Tunbridge Wells and expeditions assessor.
