Ruth Pernn
I completed my bronze award in 1975 & my gold in 1981 with the support of a couple of brilliant school teachers.
In those days we didn’t have to camp on the expeditions but still got blistered feet and sore shoulders. I surveyed litter left along the coastline of Pembrokeshire and then the castle ruins along Offa’s Dyke which involved sleeping in the haunted tower room of YHA St Briavels. I do remember the army officers in charge of the check points along the Wye Valley being very strict about punctuality and as a result still want to help the many lost teams I now see pouring over maps, lost in the Chilterns.
I completed a project called Design for Living about marriage and wedding ceremonies in different cultures. I made soft toys for a hobby (which I still have!) and learnt a lot about diversity from volunteering at a local nursery looking after disadvantaged children.
Completing both awards created long lasting memories and has always been a proud achievement. My only regret was being totally tongue tied when the Duke of Edinburgh asked me a question during our presentation ceremony at Buckingham Palace. I had worn my student nurse uniform, not knowing what to wear, and he asked me whether any experiences during the award had led me to take up a career in nursing or whether I had done any nursing related activities. I panicked, said “no” to both questions & have always felt I let his genuine interest down.
Both of my children have gone on to achieve their bronze awards and my daughter is hoping to complete the gold. What an incredible legacy of opportunity and self-development the Duke of Edinburgh created and has left for so many young people and families in the form of the DofE Award scheme.
In those days we didn’t have to camp on the expeditions but still got blistered feet and sore shoulders. I surveyed litter left along the coastline of Pembrokeshire and then the castle ruins along Offa’s Dyke which involved sleeping in the haunted tower room of YHA St Briavels. I do remember the army officers in charge of the check points along the Wye Valley being very strict about punctuality and as a result still want to help the many lost teams I now see pouring over maps, lost in the Chilterns.
I completed a project called Design for Living about marriage and wedding ceremonies in different cultures. I made soft toys for a hobby (which I still have!) and learnt a lot about diversity from volunteering at a local nursery looking after disadvantaged children.
Completing both awards created long lasting memories and has always been a proud achievement. My only regret was being totally tongue tied when the Duke of Edinburgh asked me a question during our presentation ceremony at Buckingham Palace. I had worn my student nurse uniform, not knowing what to wear, and he asked me whether any experiences during the award had led me to take up a career in nursing or whether I had done any nursing related activities. I panicked, said “no” to both questions & have always felt I let his genuine interest down.
Both of my children have gone on to achieve their bronze awards and my daughter is hoping to complete the gold. What an incredible legacy of opportunity and self-development the Duke of Edinburgh created and has left for so many young people and families in the form of the DofE Award scheme.
