Llandovery College pupils celebrate success at Buckingham Palace

Six Llandovery College pupils recently attended a presentation at Buckingham Palace where they received their Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards from celebrity presenter, Tim Rhys-Evans of Only Men Aloud fame.

During the event, Trustee for The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award HRH The Earl of Wessex congratulated the group on their successes and heard about their DofE journeys, which had taken each of them 12-18 months of hard work and dedication to complete. As part of the award, each pupil had volunteered, learnt a skill, got fit, took part in a week long residential course and planned and undertook an expedition in wild country.

Founded by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh in 1956, the DofE Award is considered the world’s leading youth achievement award that develops skills and attributes such as resilience, commitment, self motivation and team working.

Speaking about her DofE experience, Jessica Powell – a former Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet - who was one of the Gold Award holders, said, “It was a fantastic experience to be presented with the Award at a Buckingham Palace Garden Party and to meet the Earl of Wessex. I was able to count my voluntary commitment to the College Combined Cadet Force towards the Award and undertook a week-long residential Rock Climbing Course as well as an expedition in Snowdonia.”

Mr Guy Ayling, Warden of Llandovery College said: “We are immensely proud of our pupils who undertake a DofE Award on top of a busy academic schedule and are grateful for supportive staff and parents who make the programme possible. The Gold Award is the pinnacle of achievement and recognises the hard work and effort put in by this group of young people.”