Bryony Exton gets her gold (From Swindon Advertiser)

Bryony Exton gets her Gold Duke Of Edinburgh Award

3:34pm Tuesday 12th February 2013 in News

A TEENAGER has been given a prestigious award after months of hard work.

Bryony Exton, 18, has achieved the Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, which involved taking part in an expedition, a dance show, singing lessons and volunteering work with children.

The Sunderland University student, who grew up in Wroughton, Chiseldon and Cricklade, travelled to St James’ Palace on Tuesday to receive her certificate from DofE Award Scheme Trustee and Gold Award holder HRH The Earl of Wessex.

“It has taken a lot of dedication. It was offered in my school and I thought it would be a cool thing to do,” she said.

“It was my parents who kept me dedicated to doing it. They were a massive support. It’s also the incentive of going to St James’ Palace and meeting The Earl of Wessex.”

Bryony worked through the five sections of her DofE programme to achieve her Gold Award.

Her diverse activities included passing her grade 8 singing qualification, carrying out voluntary work with young children, completing a five day conservation residential in Yorkshire, where she undertook activities such as helping to repair a dry-stone wall in the National Park, and a 4 day expedition in the Yorkshire Dales.