The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Isle of Man, celebrated the achievements of local young people at a presentation evening at the Gaiety Theatre on Tuesday 15th September.

Silver and Bronze certificates were presented to over 120 young people from Ballakermeen High School, Castle Rushen High School, QEII High School, Ramsey Grammar School, St Ninian’s High School, King William’s College, the Southern and Western Open Award Centres, The Foundry and Southern Explorer Scouts.

The theme of the night was the 50th Anniversary of the first Awards gained on the Isle of Man and Mr Frank Cowin (a founder member of the Award Committee) gave a short speech explaining how the Award started on the Island.

Slide shows and video footage then showed how the Award had changed over the years, and two young people gave an account of their experiences of the Award as it is today.

Bronze certificates were presented by Mrs Judith Vincent (nee Callow) and Mrs Lynn Delaney (nee Kelly), who were the first local girls to obtain their Gold Awards in 1966.

The Silver certificates were presented by Mr Peter Cain, the first Gold boy who obtained his Award in 1963.

Long Service Awards were also presented by Mr Cowin to Award leaders, helpers and volunteers who have supported the Award for between five and twenty years.