The outstanding commitment of husband and wife team Shirley and Terry Palliser, who run the Duke Of Edinburgh's award scheme at Kingsley, has been highly praised by silver award candidate Nadine Naguib, who writes: " ..a more caring, supportive couple would be difficult to find, and it is their invaluable instructions that got us through with such enjoyment and success."

Charlotte Ewell, Katie Astin, Sophie Beaveridge, Elizabeth Wilkinson, Charlotte Proctor-Smith and Frances Chapman, pictured below, were at the Palace to receive their gold certificates earlier this year, an enjoyable occasion for both girls and parents.

Recent Expeditions

In addition to the volunteering, physical, skills and residential elements of the gold award, Kristin Wright, Jo Wing, Olivia Marson, Rhiannon Marshall and Claire Jones undertook training and practice camps in Staffordshire and Snowdonia in preparation for the final expedition this summer. Both camps were navigationally challenging and weather conditions poor, but the team, as always, came through the cold and mud with flying colours. The final expedition in the Lake District was even more difficult and the weather appalling, but the girls showed great determination and can all be very proud of their achievement.

gold award, summer 08 - Rhiannon, Jo, Claire, Sophie, Kristin

A record number of candidates undertook the silver award this year.

silver award, summer 08

silver award, summer 08

Training took place in Derbyshire during a very cold March, but fortunately the girls were able to stay in the relative comfort of a youth hostel. Two week-long practice and assessment camping expeditions in Exmoor subsequently took place in July, when twenty-six girls successfully completed the award. Nadine comments: "However much you think, at any time, that you will not be able to go on, you CAN push yourself and achieve whatever you intend to do ... endurance, friendship and keeping up morale are skills that are necessary throughout life, and once you have taken your Duke of Edinburgh's award, you will never forget this."

silver award, summer 08

Bronze practice camps took place in South Warwickshire earlier this year on a private camp site, where girls were introduced to maps and compasses, preparing food on camp cookers, and the art of what to leave out of a rucksack! Having completed the community service, skills and physical sections of the award, twenty-four candidates went on to complete a final assessment in the Wye Valley over the summer.

The Pallisers are delighted to announce that 2009 will bring the strongest entry to date for the bronze award, with forty girls currently planning their community work.

Click here for more pictures of this year's expeditions:

http://www.kingsleygallery.co.uk/index_files/dofe2.htm