YOUNGSTERS from across Devon, including six students from Okehampton College, received Duke of Edinburgh Gold Achievement awards last Saturday. The presentation on Saturday January 5 took place at County Hall, Exeter and saw 50 youngsters presented with their gold award. Deputy Lord Lieutenant Sir John Evans, former Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall and a gold award holder himself, presented the awards. Devon County Council's executive member for children and young people's services, John Smith, was involved in the presentation and interviewed each of the gold award winners. He said: 'My warmest congratulations go to all these worthy winners for their remarkable achievements. 'It's heartening to see so many young people from across Devon involved in this superb scheme. I have been impressed by the range of projects and expeditions they have undertaken to achieve this award. 'It was a pleasure to meet them at the presentation and congratulate them personally.' The students from Okehampton College that received the gold award were Charlotte Davey, Jessica and Natasha Day, Philip Harding, Lewis Kiely and Gavin Rice. For their expedition, Charlotte and Gavin travelled to South Africa to study aggressive alien invader species on black wattle, a tree grown in South Africa for its tannin-rich bark. The other students travelled to Cevennes National Park in France to study water and the effect it has on the region. Jessica and Natasha also travelled to Germany, while Philip went to Venice and Lewis helped the college ski group.
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is a voluntary, non- competitive and flexible programme of cultural and adventurous activities for all young people, no matter whatever their background or ability. It provides an enjoyable, challenging and rewarding programme of personal development for people aged between 14 and 25. It is flexible in its design and allows young people to set their own goals and targets. The scheme is delivered through schools, colleges, youth clubs, voluntary organisations and churches. The gold award can take up to two years to achieve with each participant covering five different areas of achievement — service, skills, physical recreation, expedition and residential experience. l See picture of Jessica and Natasha Day on page 64.