It meant a trip to the Palace to accept award
WEDNESDAY December 3rd 1969 is a day Jean Brownhill (nee Holland) will never forget, because it was the day she went to Buckingham Palace to receive her Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award from the Duke of Edinburgh himself.
Jean was a pupil at Wrens Nest Secondary School in Dudley and embarked on her Dofe Bronze award in 1965, a programme that took 6 months to complete. It was a challenge, but one Jean was determined to conquer. It is stated that the activities of a Dofe section should take a minimum of one hour a week over a set period of time so that they can be fitted in around academic study, hobbies and social lives. Jean completed her Bronze standard successfully and was presented with a certificate and badge.
The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme was launched in 1956, at first for boys only, but was extended to include girls in 1958. At first the programme for boys and girls was quite different, but from 1965 onwards the Gold Medal was achieved by way of a very similar course. The whole idea of the Dofe Award Scheme was designed to attract youngsters who had not been interested in joining one of the main youth movements, such as the Scouts or Guides,
Toughest
As soon as Jean had achieved Bronze she had no hesitation about trying for Silver and eventually Gold. The Silver standard was much harder and took about 6 months to complete and like the Bronze included a volunteering section, a physical and skills section or an expedition section. The expedition section had to last 3 days and 2 nights and was one of the toughest disciplines. But there was no stopping Jean and she attained her Silver Dofe Award in July 1967.
However Gold was the goal for most youngsters who joined the scheme and staying power and determination were the two characteristics more in demand than ever. The programme lasted 12 months and included a residential section, which meant staying away from home for five days and four nights doing a shared activity with total strangers. But in September 1969 Jean couldn’t have been more proud. She received the following letter from Dudley Education Committee: “First I (H.G. Groves, Headmaster at Wren’s Nest Secondary School) would like to offer congratulations on your success in the Dofe Award. I’m sure you must be very proud of your achievement, as we are of you. We should like to commemorate the occasion by a small ceremony at school and I have arranged for the Chairman of Governors and Mr Spall, the Youth Services Officer, to be present.” On Tuesday September 23rd 1969 during school assembly Jean received the ultimate accolade at school. Now attention turned to a trip to the Palace.
The invitation duly arrived: “Reception for the presentation of Gold Standard Awards by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh Entrance from 1.30pm through the Grand Entrance.” Jean’s heart must have been in her mouth during the journey from the Black Country to the Big Smoke in her husband’s small car. But both she and Laurence arrived in good time and swept through the Palace gates to an allotted parking pace. Unfortunately no photographs were permitted during the ward ceremony but nevertheless it was a day Jean will never forget as she was presented with her Gold badge from Prince Philip.