Royal invite for award scheme volunteers

Date published: 02/05/2006

A Royal invitation has been sent to volunteers and Council staff who have helped develop the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme in the Borough.

Six volunteers, who between them have accumulated 80 years service to the award scheme, have been invited to attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace, in recognition of their hard work.

They are Ray Clegg and daughter Joanne Clegg, Stuart Sutton, Margaret Pearson, Dave Basford and Roy Butterworth.

From the Council, Fida Hussain of the Rochdale Healthy Living Initiative and Peter Agnew of Rochdale Youth Service have also received invitations. They have worked hard to involve young people from ethnic minorities and deprived neighbourhoods in the Duke of Edinburgh scheme.

The invitations have come as part of the 50th anniversary of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and events in Rochdale will also mark the occasion.

On Saturday 3 June there is a celebration event at The Butts, Rochdale Town Centre, for young people who might want to take part in the Duke of Edinburgh Awards in the future.

There will be plenty of advice and information on offer, alongside a portable climbing wall, staffed by the Rochdale Youth Service and Climb Rochdale.

There’s still time, too, for any award winner living in the Borough to join in a gala event taking place at Rochdale Town Hall on Sunday 4 June. All they have to do is call (01706) 925426 or email rochdale.dofe@tesco.net to apply for an invite.