I started my Silver Award in 1965 during a 2 week residential school visit to the Lake District. I was 14 years of age and it was the first time that I'd been away from my home in Oxfordshire.
I completed and obtained my award in 1967 whilst doing an engineering apprenticeship.

At the age of 54, I was asked by a teacher at the school I was working at if I would like to help him with expeditions as he was going to introduce the Award into the school.
This led me to getting my Expediton leader qualification 2 years later and then becoming an Accredited Assessor with the scheme. This I continued until my retirement.

During this time I helped many young people to achieve their Bronze and Silver expeditions, wether by foot, canoe or cycling.
The pleasure it gave me in helping students experience the feeling of self sufficiency and the appreciation of the countryside that I had myself experienced nearly 50 years earlier, gave me tremendous personal satisfaction and for this I am truly grateful to HRH The Duke of Edinburgh for creating the Award and for HRH Prince Edward for continuing to champion it.