A MEMBER of Westbury’s Youth Sailing Club has received his Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award at a presentation attended by the Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward.
Eddie Abbott, who trained at West Wilts Youth Sailing Club, travelled to St James Palace in London with his mother, Emily, for the special day.
Eddie said, “The Duke of Edinburgh scheme gave me a platform to try different activities as well as further develop skills. To receive my Gold award at St James’s Palace from Prince Edward was a very special moment, one that made me proud of the hard work I put in to achieve this award.”
Eddie’s mother, Emily, said, “The day was fantastic and started with a train journey from Westbury. GWR had given Eddie and me first class tickets so we were able to travel in real style and it was a perfect start and finish to a wonderful day.
“St James is the most senior of the royal palaces in the UK and not open to the public, so attendance is by invitation only, again making Eddie feel special. Having passed through security, Eddie was ushered into the picture gallery with all the other South West recipients, where the afternoon passed by very quickly and the prince joined everyone in a very happy atmosphere.
“The prince was keen to hear about different people’s journeys to achieving their gold awards and was enthusiastic that they continue in the skills and volunteering aspects wherever possible.
To achieve the award, Eddie had to fulfill a number of requirements, including an additional six months of volunteering due to him skipping the silver award after completing the bronze.
“The Gold scheme took Eddie to the football pitch for his physical challenge, which he greatly enjoyed! Eddie used his power boat skills learned earlier, to offer safety boat cover at West Wilts Youth Sailing and Shearwater Sailing Club.
“Having more experience and maturity, he was able to use his RYA instructor qualification to teach at West Wilts Youth Sailing Association for his volunteering, This professionally recognised international-qualification also meant Eddie could work at Center Parcs as a sailing instructor during the holidays. He then spent five days sea kayaking off the Jurassic Coast for his expedition, having to carry camping equipment, food, water and clothing within his kayak and wild camp throughout.
“Another requirement of the Gold award is a five-day residential section, for which Eddie arranged to attend a cookery school near Taunton. He spent the first week of his Christmas holidays learning some wonderful recipes, along with some more simplistic ones to help him survive when he got to university! Living and working with strangers for the five days was a brilliant experience, with everyone having to pull their weight or there would be no meals that day.
“The experience has taught Eddie the importance of teamwork and leadership skills and given him confidence to pursue his dreams. He is now studying finance and accounting at Swansea University and enjoying life fully.
“He also continues to support the WWYSA whenever he is home from university. This summer he was able to help at all the association’s 50th birthday celebrations.”
