Duke of Edinburgh Award celebrates 70 years with Government House event

Islanders with the rare Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award have been invited to a celebration at Government House.

Those currently working towards their award will also be there, showcasing their achievements and work across the Award activities.

Approximately 700 young people aged 14-24 are currently engaged in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in Jersey through licenced operating groups – schools and youth organisations, such as Air Cadets and Sea Cadets.

Collette Labey grew up in Jersey and is amongst those going. She completed her Gold in 1981:

"I did my Bronze and my Silver in Jersey, but we went to France to do our Gold. We did it on bikes in France; I think we were the first group to do that. 

"It was so long ago I can't remember how we got there, but we were definitely assisted by the team at Coin Varin youth club, which is where I started my journey on the awards.

"One of the memories I do have is being around three hours behind schedule because we were doing it on the compass and the maps, and we obviously couldn't WhatsApp to say we were going to be late.

"We were going down a hill in the drizzle, and the end of the road had been closed for a cycle race, and we put on our brakes, and my bike took to the gravel.

"I went down and grazed the whole side of my leg - which wasn't very nice (sleeping) in a small tent!  

"But it was a very proud moment, it was a huge experience to go away and learn about what we could achieve.

"I waited until 1983 to get the award from Prince Philip, who actually came over to Jersey to open the St John's Recreation Centre. The other two I did it with went to Buckingham Palace but I wanted to do it in Jersey!

"I was terribly nervous about meeting the Prince, but he was wonderful and very engaging and made a little joke about me being the only girl; there were seven of us."

She is hoping the pair she completed her award with, Jane Henwood and Angela Mercer, whom she met at the youth club, will be at Government House, as she has lost contact with them.

To celebrate across the UK, award holders are being asked to share their stories. Channel 103 found this mention of Jersey:

The Chairman of the DofE Jersey Committee, Mike Entwistle, said:

"We believe every young person in Jersey who wants to access the Award should be able to do so, regardless of their ability or circumstances, and we are keen to support them.

"The 70th anniversary event is an opportunity to look back with those who have gained a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in past years and to look to the future with current Award participants as they highlight their Award activities and achievements today. "