D of E News Page

Local Girl Laura Gets Gold

Laura Conway with her certificate at St James’s Palace

Local girl Laura Conway (19) visited St James’s Palace on 28th February 2008 and collected her gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award certificate personally from Prince Phillip.

Laura, formerly an Army Cadet Sergeant Major from Brampton near Huntingdon, has had no fewer than three meetings with royalty during her service.

"In 2006 I was invited to a royal garden party at Buckingham Palace having been recommended to attend by the Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire” she said. ”Unfortunately I couldn’t go that year as I was away on the expedition of a lifetime – the Cadet Leadership Course in the Rocky Mountains of Canada – along with eleven other cadets selected to go from Great Britain”.

Luckily though Laura was remembered in 2007 and even though her cadet service had ended she was invited again. “It was absolutely amazing and such a wonderful experience” she said. “I had met the Queen previously through the cadets when she visited Cambridge on a royal visit in 2004”

The route to this years visit to St James’s Palace started when Laura was aged 14 and took up the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme. She achieved bronze and silver levels in 2004 & 2005, and completed her gold expedition requirement on the Canadian Rocky Mountain Cadet Leadership course.

“It was simply unbelievable to get another appointment to visit a royal palace”, she said. “The Duke of Edinburgh spoke to us about our work towards the award and if we had done anything particularly interesting or unique to achieve it – of course I was very proud to tell him of my own experiences”

Laura was the Captain of the County army cadet force first aid team in 2005 and 2006, taking top major awards in the St John Ambulance First Aid Competitions. At the age of 18 her youth service ended, although she has continued her service with the ACF as a Civilian Instructor. “Teaching first aid is something I have always loved” she said. “My main priority now is to train other young people and help them to achieve similar experiences to my own. “

Sergeant Tony is tops for 3 Coy D of E!

SI Tony Tuite - rear row second from the right

Sergeant Instructor Tony Tuite of No.3 Company has just achieved the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Foundation Certificate in Award Leadership at the National Cadet Training Centre, Frimley Park, Surrey and is one of 15 instructors from around the UK qualified to promote and manage the scheme at Company level.

In his capacity as the Duke of Edinburgh Award Leader for No.3 Company he is working very hard to promote the scheme and to encourage cadets to get involved. His aim is to help cadets get involved in activities, monitor their progress, and give general support and advice on all matters relating to the award.

One to one meetings to discuss your personal requirements can be held at with Tony at Newmarket detachment during Tuesday parade nights by prior appointment. Or he can arrange to come to you at your detachment by calling him direct on 07799 545712. Check first with your detachment commander to see if you are eligible to take part in the scheme and then give SI Tuite a call - it may be the best thing you’ve ever done !