I did my Gold Award whilst a boarder at Highgate School between 1968 and 1970. For the public service section, I was sent to a day-centre for disabled young adults nearby. When I asked what I should do, I was told to clean the lavatories and do the washing-up. There were , of course, no dishwashers. When I attended the Award Ceremony at Buckingham Palace, Prince Philip asked me what my Service Section involved. When I said I had been a lavatory cleaner, he stepped back sharply and said “ Well I hope you’ve washed your hands! “ Definitely how to break the ice. My Award was the main topic of conversation at my subsequent interviews for Medical School. I have now worked as a Surgeon for 46 years. Now part-time, I have been the Chairman of Trustees of Tenterden Social Hub for 5 years. I remain proud of my Gold Award. One of my daughters is a fellow Gold Award holder, as shown in the photograph attached.