Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme

1974-75 was a hectic year, with nearly 60 boys taking part in the scheme. As with any operation of this size it has only functioned with the considerable help and encouragement which has been forthcoming from colleagues, parents and new-found friends and we thank them all for their efforts.

BRONZE

The 'Physical Activity' Section broke new ground with some boys choosing trampolining and golf rather than the more usual gymnastics and athletic pursuits, whilst some took to the water to gain the A.S.A. personal survival award (Silver). Once more we are indebted to the British Red Cross for organising our First Aid class for the 'Service' Section and we were pleased with our 100 per cent success in the final tests which set a far from trivial standard in this important subject. The `Interests' Section produced a wide variety including the old favourites of stamp collecting and ornithology, as well as some welcome newcomers, war games and motor mechanics. I am sure that many boys found new hobbies or gave an established interest a new lease of life, and we are always most grateful to the wide variety of people who are only too pleased to avail us of their expertise and enthusiasm in both encouraging and assessing the boys. I hope we have gained many new friends in this way.

The 'Expeditions' always require much painstaking preparation and I am sure that boys and parents will appreciate the need for this. The boys were however most fortunate with the weather, though some would argue with justification that the heat wave encountered in June was a little too much for anything so strenuous as their expedition involved. I am sure that many muttered discontent at having to carry sweaters, waterproofs, spare clothes and emergency rations for 15 miles in such conditions where an emergency seemed so remote from reality, but their doubts may vanish if they read on into the 'Silver' Section. Apart from minor navigational aberrations, and a few problems of living together, the expeditions passed most satisfactorily and seemed to be enjoyed, though some suffered from an overdose of sun.

Twenty-four boys started the Bronze award in September 1974 and we happily record 24 passes: M. B. Anderson R.A. C. Bronk S.M. Burn D. M. Caulton R. E. Craig A. H. Day D. J. Fawthrop M. Gray C. Hawkswell R. I. Hepworth C. P. Johnson G. J. King J. A. Lethem H. J. McKinlay E. M. Parkinson J. W. Preece G. W. Tait R. J. Teale N. J. G. Turnbull M. St. J. Turner S. C. Wetherell R. M. Wilkinson R. J. T. Wilson A. J. Wright

D. Smakman, who gained the award at his previous school, also took part, and his knowledge of farming was a valuable asset to his cycling group.

SILVER

Fresh from their success at Bronze level, 18 boys continued to Silver and we also welcomed 5 direct entrants who had languished elsewhere previously.

As well as fulfilling their own obligations in a cheerful manner, some have been most helpful in assisting with the Bronze group and we all thank them for that, since this feedback of experience is a vital aspect of the scheme which must be encouraged.

The 'Service' courses, kindly organised by the Police and Fire authorities, were attended and enjoyed with the usual enthusiasm and our sincere thanks go to all those responsible.

15th/16th MARCH TRAINING EXPEDMON

Spring is sprung the poem says, but on the Moor the snow there lays. Could it be winter one stops and thinks as the wretched thermometer slowly S

(apologies for more than the usual amount of poetic licence)

Superlatives were soon exhausted in trying to describe the climatic conditions and it only rubbed in the pain to be told by many of the local farmers—" 't 'asn't bin as cold as this all't winter"—small comfort! The stories of the ordeal must have improved on repetition but the night-time temperature defied exaggeration, though the cyclists did seem to be rather warmer.

8th/9th/lOth APRIL ASSESSMENT

They say that lightning never strikes twice in the same place, but it seems that snow does fall on the same groups without numerical considerations. The cyclists probably came off worst this time since the first day and a half were spent cycling (or pushing) into the teeth of a freezing wind and occasional blizzard as they attempted to reach the source of the Nidd; the explorers who did similar things up the Nile never had this to cope with! 'The cyclists' tyres also seemed to puncture rather more frequently than the walkers"vibram' soles!

Despite this rather despicable weather the expedition passed without major incident though there occurred one flurry of excitement as one walking group took longer than expected to emerge from a blizzard.

6th/7th/8th JUNE ASSESSMENT

This one group, basically comprising direct entrants who had not done the Bronze award, would obviously experience more difficulty than Jill the others since there can be no substitute for experience, but despite thisk 24

they came through very well and left their assessor with a favourable impression of their organisation and group spirit, though this was helped by glorious weather—perhaps too glorious, since they all completed 30 arduous miles much more tired and rather more pink than they started, and walking with the usual bounce and rhythm on Monday morning seemed to be out of the question.

Twenty-three boys started Silver in September 1974 and we record the following 23 successes:— D. J. Barron P. D. Johnson D. C. Bretherton J. Kneeshaw

G. B. Brown M. M. Christelow P. S. Lancaster T. C. Nichols

A. M. M. Dixon J. Noble

J. C. Dryland C. N. A. Greaves J. R. A. Greaves R. F. Hart A. F. Heavens A. Hodgson A. Holmes A. D. Percival A. C. Robinson P. J. P. Smith J. D. Spence D. A. J. Thomas T. G. White

GOLD

We are all very proud to be able to congratulate Peter Brooker on gaining the Gold Award and we hope it will encourage others to carry on beyond Bronze and Silver levels. Peter has worked many years for this and for long periods on his own without the considerable help which comes from a large group. In contrast there are eight others progressing well towards completion and 22 more started in September 1975, and we wish them luck with the scheme and hope to record their success before long. I would also record my personal thanks for their considerable help during the year.

D.H.H.

DUKE OF EDINBURGH GOLD AWARD

After nearly two years work towards my Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award I finished it in March 1975. Whilst some of it had been hard work it was well worth the trouble and I heartily recommend those doing Bronze and Silver Awards to carry the Award right through to the end.

Provided you are willing to give up time, the Gold Award is not as strenuous as it sounds. The physical fitness section requires certain standards on the athletics field, in the gymnasium or in the swimming pool. The best tip that anyone can give for the interest is to choose something for which you have a particular enthusiasm, which you think can be maintained. The object is not to produce experts but to see that the participant has a hobby, and, above all, enjoys himself. Moreover, contacts made through the scheme can open the doors to far wider aspects of the hobby.

In all the activities, the participant has to be prepared for some discomfort, not least in the hike and residential qualification. Despite the fact that I get blisters easily, I thoroughly enjoyed my hike, with three others I never met until preparations for the expedition began. Likewise, 25