Finally, thanks must be expressed to the leavers from the choir, which will be much diminished at the beginning of next term; particularly missed will be Mr. Williams who has lead the Deacon's Basses for the last two years; it will be difficult to find a more cheerful successor. D.J.B.
THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH'S AWARD SCHEME-A PERSONAL VIEW This scheme was launched back in 1958 by a group of eminent people, led by Sir John Hunt and the Duke, to give a challenge and a purpose to the youth of to-day. Its ideas were to encourage initiative, creative leisure, physical fitness and a sense of duty to the community, and three separate levels of the award were introduced to provide a successive challenge. Each level is divided into four groups; the Expedition, involving the walking of a given distance in a given time, a certain number of overnight camps, the ability to fend for oneself and a knowledge of first aid; Rescue and Public Service, which requires the candidate to undergo a course of training and service with some public body, for example the Police, Fire Brigade or Civil Defence; Pursuits and Projects, in which you have to follow a hobby for a certain period and satisfy an examiner of your proficiency; and Fitness, consisting of a certain selection of athletic activities, in which a certain standard must be reached. All groups must be completed to gain each award. The group that attracts most interest and publicity is, however, the Expedition, because incompetence or inexperience can and does lead to injury and loss of life, especially at the Gold level. This is because of the time and distance requirements, 50 miles in 3 days, but more particularly because it has to take place over some of the roughest country in Britain, areas like Snowdonia, Dartmoor, Exmoor and the Cairngorms, without the use of many paths or roads. A candidate properly trained in the use of a compass and map and in emergency techniques will come through, a poorly-trained one may suffer. Here at St. Peter's we have to undergo rigorous training before being allowed to attempt the Gold Award Expedition and I have been asked to describe one such training weekend partly to reassure parents, anxious about their offspring's safety and partly to inform the School just what those odd fellows who disappear for the weekend two or three times every Summer Term actually do while they are gone. This is certainly no refuge for the idle, who have to join something to escape their housemaster's vigilant eye. Preparation began about a fortnight beforehand, when we were given details of our dropping points and destination and a rough outline of our expected route. The six of us in the group, myself, D. J. Doyle, I. M. Macleod, J. R. Wilson, J. S. W. Cook and A. J. E. Hodges, then worked out the final details and discussed the question of food, always a thorny one. On the Tuesday before the expedition we presented a final description 27
