Duke of Edinburgh awards presented
A total of 27 young people from across Carmarthenshire were awarded with Duke of Edinburgh gold awards at a special presentation evening organised by Carmarthenshire County Council’s Youth Service at Parc y Scarlets stadium.
The young people from Carmarthenshire Explorer Scouts, Llanelli/Carmarthenshire Open Award Centre, Queen Elizabeth High School, Ysgol Bro Myrddin and Ysgol Dyffryn Taf had to complete 12 months of voluntary service, physical and skills based exercises and an expedition, across four days and three nights, to satisfy the gold award criteria.
The evening saw speeches from Matt Morden, Strategic Manager for the Duke of Edinburgh awards at Carmarthenshire County Council, Head Teachers and Scout Leaders. Councillor Gwynne Wooldridge, Young People’s Champion and Executive Board Member for Children and Education Services, was also present to hand out awards and congratulate recipients.
Councillor Wooldridge said “It’s inspiring to see the efforts of these adventurous young people rewarded at an evening like this. It’s a tough climate out there and I am certain that the well recognised Duke of Edinburgh award will go a long way in securing the academic and vocational opportunities these young men and women are after.”
Alexandra Morden Osborne, 18 from Cynwyl-Elfed, achieved her gold award through the Carmarthen Open Award Centre and spent time volunteering at a hospice, helping to teach Welsh at Ysgol Bro Myrddin and working at a woodland management centre: felling trees, erecting fences and restoring woodland.
Alexandra said “I started the Duke of Edinburgh award for the opportunity to give something back to society and to work together with my friends towards a real sense of achievement. I loved helping to teach the next generation how to speak Welsh.”
Ieuan Gregory, 18 from Llandeilo, of Carmarthenshire Explorer Scouts volunteered to help train a female tag rugby team in his spare time and worked at the Pendine Outdoor Centre supporting and taking part in canoeing, rock climbing, gorge walking and various other outdoor activities.
Ieuan said “The award is an amazing opportunity for someone my age and it’s going to look great on my CV. This is a proud moment for me after my 3-4 years of hard work.”
Lucy Hofton, 26 from Saint Clears, is a Guide Leader from Pontyates, Llanelli who also received her gold award after completing a more exotic residential experience:
“I travelled to a World Guide Centre in Puna, India, which is a women’s rescue centre, in August 2010. I spent a fortnight there and helped to support the women and restore the facility. It was a real culture shock and the opportunity to go there has really opened my eyes. I was really close to turning 25 when I completed my residential; I was really cutting it fine.”
For further information about the Duke of Edinburgh please contact development officer Alison Owen Yeates on 01267 246679.
The young people from Carmarthenshire Explorer Scouts, Llanelli/Carmarthenshire Open Award Centre, Queen Elizabeth High School, Ysgol Bro Myrddin and Ysgol Dyffryn Taf had to complete 12 months of voluntary service, physical and skills based exercises and an expedition, across four days and three nights, to satisfy the gold award criteria.
The evening saw speeches from Matt Morden, Strategic Manager for the Duke of Edinburgh awards at Carmarthenshire County Council, Head Teachers and Scout Leaders. Councillor Gwynne Wooldridge, Young People’s Champion and Executive Board Member for Children and Education Services, was also present to hand out awards and congratulate recipients.
Councillor Wooldridge said “It’s inspiring to see the efforts of these adventurous young people rewarded at an evening like this. It’s a tough climate out there and I am certain that the well recognised Duke of Edinburgh award will go a long way in securing the academic and vocational opportunities these young men and women are after.”
Alexandra Morden Osborne, 18 from Cynwyl-Elfed, achieved her gold award through the Carmarthen Open Award Centre and spent time volunteering at a hospice, helping to teach Welsh at Ysgol Bro Myrddin and working at a woodland management centre: felling trees, erecting fences and restoring woodland.
Alexandra said “I started the Duke of Edinburgh award for the opportunity to give something back to society and to work together with my friends towards a real sense of achievement. I loved helping to teach the next generation how to speak Welsh.”
Ieuan Gregory, 18 from Llandeilo, of Carmarthenshire Explorer Scouts volunteered to help train a female tag rugby team in his spare time and worked at the Pendine Outdoor Centre supporting and taking part in canoeing, rock climbing, gorge walking and various other outdoor activities.
Ieuan said “The award is an amazing opportunity for someone my age and it’s going to look great on my CV. This is a proud moment for me after my 3-4 years of hard work.”
Lucy Hofton, 26 from Saint Clears, is a Guide Leader from Pontyates, Llanelli who also received her gold award after completing a more exotic residential experience:
“I travelled to a World Guide Centre in Puna, India, which is a women’s rescue centre, in August 2010. I spent a fortnight there and helped to support the women and restore the facility. It was a real culture shock and the opportunity to go there has really opened my eyes. I was really close to turning 25 when I completed my residential; I was really cutting it fine.”
For further information about the Duke of Edinburgh please contact development officer Alison Owen Yeates on 01267 246679.
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