One hundred and fifty young people from the East Herts district, together with family and friends, gathered in the Memorial Hall at the College on Thursday 6th January to receive their well-earned bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards. 

From the Bishop’s Stortford area, sixty pupils from Bishop's Stortford College, fifty from Hertfordshire & Essex High School and one from the Sawbridgeworth Rangers were presented with certificates by the Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, Simon Bowes Lyon. Three schools from Ware were also represented: Presdales (twenty-six pupils), Pinewood School (five pupils) and Chauncy School (four pupils).

Some of the College pupils who received awards

At all three levels, the award scheme involves completing four tasks – serving people in the community, following a hobby, taking up a physical activity of some kind and going on an expedition.
Twelve of the young people attending the presentation evening had achieved the prestigious gold Award, for which they also had to undertake a four-day residential activity of their choice. Fiona Hutton (17 years, Presdales) shared her experience of working with disabled children, Louise Starling (17 years, Presdales) demonstrated her Fencing sport skills and Susanna Cork (15 years, Herts & Essex) provided a musical interlude.

Guest speaker, Gareth Burnell, an experienced expeditioner and former deputy head at Bishop's Stortford College Junior School, challenged the risk-averse attitude emerging in our society today and expressed the hope that the Duke of Edinburgh Award would continue to allow young people to learn to take responsibility.

Co-ordinator of the Duke of Edinburgh Programme at Bishop's Stortford College, and of the presentation evening, Gill Lynch, said, “The scheme teaches perseverance, team work, survival skills and the importance of helping others and these young people have worked hard to complete their awards. I think it is really important that we publicly recognise their commitment and achievement and I am delighted that so many have been able to attend tonight.”

The Mayors of Hertford and Bishop's Stortford also attended together with representatives from the Hertfordshire County Council Children, Schools and Families’ Department.