Duke of Edinburgh Gold Awards for CLCGB members

Thursday July 20th 2023

Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award winner Emily Conn with proud dad Johnny Conn, Carnmoney CLCGB, and Dame Mary Peters at the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award Ceremony at Hillsborough Castle on June 29.

In the latest round of Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award presentations at Buckingham Palace and Hillsborough Castle, the Church Lads’ and Church Girls’ Brigade (CLCGB) NI was well represented.

Three members choose to attend the Buckingham Palace event in May, and another three attended the Hillsborough Castle celebration in June, at which recipients had the opportunity to chat with HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.

Andrew Burleigh, St Paul’s, Lisburn, and Anna Parker and Samantha Todd from St Hilda’s, Dunmurry, enjoyed the grandeur of Buckingham Palace, while Emily Conn, Carnmoney; Harry Graham, St Paul’s; and Andrew Martin, Magheragall, attended the more relaxed surroundings of Hillsborough Castle where 140 Gold Awards were celebrated.

The CLCGB NI has been a successful operating authority of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award since its inception in the mid-1950s. Already preparations are in place to put the next Bronze and Gold Award groups through their expeditions.

Emily undertook her practice expedition in the Mourne Mountains and her actual expedition in the Lake District in Cumbria. She found it tough going. For the Gold Award, participants must also complete a Residential and Emily attended a week-long event organised by the Ulster Wildlife Trust.

Congratulations to all concerned.