Governor's praise for award scheme team

He credited the success of the programme on their hard work and enthusiasm.

He spoke ahead of today’s Royal visit, when Prince Edward and his wife Sophie, Countess of Wessex, will stay for two days to award teenagers taking part in the scheme.

Sir Richard said: “Bermuda is very strong in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. For the size of this country, it has done very well in securing awards at all three levels [bronze, silver and gold].

Winners

“It has been strong in years past at schools such as Bermuda High School, Saltus and Mount Saint Agnes but now the state schools are catching up.

“What is particularly good is Berkeley Institute is doing very well, which is why Prince Edward is going to Berkeley on Thursday to meet award winners from the past few years.

“We were very pleased when we found out that two or three of the latest Gold Award winners did their Duke of Edinburgh at The Centre in Angle Street, a community centre.

“We will do the Gold Award ceremony at The Centre — usually it is at Government House, City Hall or the Cathedral.

“We are going somewhere that has been noticeably successful as a youth and community centre and that is something everyone wants to encourage.” Sir Richard believes “the success of the Award in Bermuda is down to the individuals involved”.

He praised the work of past chairmen Lawrence Trimingham and Andrew Dobson, plus current chairman Kenneth Bartram.

He also honoured national director Tina Nash, who revived the Award among young offenders at the Co-Educational Facility at Ferry Reach, and Gerald Simons, chair of trustees.

The Royal couple will stay at Government House during their visit.

Sir Richard met the Prince when he officiated a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award event as British High Commissioner of Swaziland in 1993.

He said: “He was already very closely involved in the international aspects of the Award.

“My wife Diana and I saw Prince Edward by chance two years ago in London and he said he looked forward to the opportunity to come to Bermuda for a third time. The last time was immediately after Hurricane Fabian.”

Tomorrow night, the Earl and Countess of Wessex will host a black tie fund-raising dinner for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

The event, at Government House, is a “thank you” for the programme’s corporate sponsors and other donors.

The Governor believes the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton on April 29 is likely to feature in conversation.

He added: “At Government House we are going to bring forward the Queen’s Birthday party from June to that day but the Queen’s Birthday Parade will go ahead on June 18.”