D of E groups at royal garden party

Guy Richardson, Angela Manktelow and Mike Allport were at Buckingham Palace for a garden party.

Groups in north Northumberland were invited to Buckingham Palace to celebrate 60 years of the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Longridge Towers School, represented by Rob Moscrop and headmaster Tim Manning, was invited to a garden party to receive a commemorative plaque and to be there for the presentation of the Gold Award to Charlotte Phillips, a former pupil.

The group had an audience with the Earl of Wessex, and then received the plaque and Gold Award from the celebrity assigned to its group, the impressionist Jon Culshaw. Jon entertained with impressions of Prince Phillip, Prince Edward, Prince Charles and Brian Cox.

Mr Phillips, there as a guest with Charlotte, spoke tothe Earl of Wessex about his days of taking the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

Representatives from Wooler Young People’s Association (The Dropin) were also invited, joined by two others from Berwick and District Youth Activity Group.

Guy Richardson, chairman of trustees at the Dropin, and Angela Manktelow, D of E leader, were given the Dropin’s plaque by mountaineer Alan Hinkes.

Mike Allport, expedition coordinator for the Cheviot and Border Hills and trustee of The Dropin, was with another group across the gardens with Strictly Come Dancing star Anton Du Beke.

The Dropin’s expedition is to take place at the end of May. If you feel you want to take part in the D of E award, go along on a Tuesday at 6.30pm, 53 High Street, Wooler.

Mike is still trying to get D of E award holders from each of the past 60 years for a garden party on July 17. Request an application form by emailing [email protected]