A Golden Day at Buckingham Palace
Friday 10th May was a perfect summer’s day and what better way to spend it than at a Buckingham Palace Garden Party celebrating The Ashcombe School’s Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Awardees in the presence of HRH Prince Edward, The Duke of Edinburgh.
Mrs Lisa Boyce and Dr Jez Carter met the nine Ashcombe students who had completed their Gold Award and were at Buckingham Palace to celebrate this great achievement, some of whom had had their journey to success interrupted by Covid-19 but hadn’t let it stop them from achieving their ultimate goal.
2000 winners were at the Garden Party, so it was quite an occasion. The Buckingham Palace Garden was transformed into a festival-style celebration for young people and their loved ones, with giant deckchairs, bunting, and garden games and activities. Attendees had the chance to hear from famous DofE Award holders and broadcasting legends, and pick up career advice from actors, presenters, authors, and campaigners, at stages throughout the garden.
Broadcaster Vick Hope, a Silver DofE Award holder, delivered an inspiring speech. Remembering her DofE, Vick Hope said: “Our feet were blistered, and our backs were aching. My lovely grandad had lent me his sleeping bag from his Navy days, it was about 100 years old and kept neither the heat in nor the cold out but somehow we persisted, and had a good laugh along the way.”
Many congratulations to all our students on a great achievement: Ewan, Andrew, Lauren, Grace, Josephine, Elizabeth, Mary, Matthew and Elizabeth. And good luck to this year’s intrepid Gold students too, who will be facing their Final expedition in July.
