A GROUP of tenacious young people from schools and colleges across the Vale of Glamorgan have been presented with their Duke of Edinburgh badges at a ceremony at Barry’s Civic Centre.

The students from Cowbridge Comprehensive, Stanwell School, Ysgol Bro Morgannwg and Penarth Gold Group, received their Gold Award badges from councillor Chris Elmore and Jennifer Hill, director of learning and skills at the Vale of Glamorgan Council.

Achieving the coveted Gold Award was no mean feat with the students having to demonstrate a range of skills including cooking, rowing, football and sign language. They were also required to make a difference in their respective communities, carrying out important voluntary work over a period of twelve months.

The Duke of Edinburgh Awards also aims to foster a spirit of adventure and determination among those taking and will certainly have tested their endurance and fitness levels. This included voluntary work on Flatholm Island and working at a turtle conservation project in Costa Rica.

Cllr Elmore, cabinet member for children’s services and schools said: “It was a privilege to meet with a group of young people from the Vale of Glamorgan who, over the course of the past year, have displayed attributes and qualities of which they can rightly feel proud.

"In their pursuit of excellence, they will have learnt some important life skills that will stand them in good stead for the future. They will have learnt the importance of team work and never giving up and will have experienced the rewards of helping others.

"A big well done to each and every one of them.”