My fourth event on Saturday 27 June is the Presentation of the Duke of Edinburgh Awards at the Folkestone Academy. 25 Bronze , 10 Silver and 3 Gold Awards are presented and Sophie Blunt and Dominic Howes who have both earned Gold Awards speak about what the awards meant to them. Dominic credited the Duke of Edinburgh Award with giving him the confidence and experience to win a prestigous apprenticeship with Rolls Royce.
The Duke of Edinburgh awards involve mastering a skill, performing a service and partaking in a physical recreation. This is not a one-off effort but a sustained and regular one and it was good to see how many young people had taken part and so obviously enjoyed themselves.
Janet Andrews, the mayor of Folkestone, was also present with her daughter Lucy who is Mayoress and herself doing the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme. Janet and all the parents present were clearly as proud as punch about their children’s achievements and we as a community can be proud as well.