Tree planting marathon gets royal seal of approval
The Duke of Edinburgh was presented with a Woodland Trust golden ash at a tree planting ceremony held to help mark the 50th anniversary of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme and the completion of a two-month national initiative that saw the creation of 10 new woodlands by hundreds of young people.
More than 2,000 people were at the event held on July 8, in the grounds of Wiltshire College, Lackham, near Chippenham. His Royal Highness spent more than an hour and a half at the event talking to young people and attending a civic reception.
Trust regional development officer Michelle Byrne and fundraising manager Jason Dyer, attended the tree-planting ceremony and presented the Duke of Edinburgh with his golden ash.
Michelle said: “We were delighted the Duke of Edinburgh was able to plant one of our trees. It has been a pleasure working with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award’s vast army of dedicated volunteers and with their help the Woodland Trust has been able to create 10 lasting legacies across the UK to help transform our landscape. Their efforts will reap benefits for generations to come by helping create thriving green spaces teeming with wildlife.”
His Royal Highness spent over an hour and a half at the event talking to young people before attending a civic reception. The day was organised to help mark the achievements of young people in sport, volunteering and their involvement in their communities through projects like the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme. It also featured live music, a high-tech climbing wall, orienteering, a five-a-side football tournament and specially-devised drumming workshops. In the evening more than 300 turned up to dance the night away at a summer ball held in the college grounds. It was one of a number of events across the country to mark the 50th anniversary of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards Scheme, but one of only a handful attended by the Duke.
About the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award:
• The Duke of Edinburgh's Award 50th Anniversary celebrations are kindly sponsored by Bank of Scotland Corporate. Bank of Scotland Corporate is part of HBOS plc, the UK's largest mortgage and savings provider. The bank works with businesses of over £1 million turnover across a wide range of banking and finance areas and has one of the most knowledgeable and experienced teams in the industry.
• Over 500,000 participants are trying for an Award at any one time, with over 225,000 of these in the UK
• There were over 145,000 new entrants last year in the UK, and over 58,000 achieved their Bronze, Silver or Gold Award.
• The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a registered charity run with the support of over 50,000 volunteers and 10,000 partner organisations.
• Since 1956, over 3.5 million young people have participated in the UK Award. Currently almost seven per cent of 14 to 17-year-olds in the UK are taking part through Award Groups in youth clubs, voluntary organisations, Open Award Centres, schools, colleges, young offender institutes and businesses.
• In 1988, The International Award Association was established to co-ordinate and develop the Award worldwide and since 1956, over 5 million young people in over 100 countries have taken up the challenge.
• The Award was founded by the Patron, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. TRH The Duke of Edinburgh and The Earl of Wessex continue to be involved with the organisation to this date.
• Further information can be found at www.theaward.org
