A GROUP of young adventurers from Musselburgh have successfully completed their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award – and are now determined to go for gold.

The Honest Toun community group, led by three parents from Musselburgh Grammar School, has just put 14 children through their Bronze Award and is now raring to move to Silver.

Annette Reid, co-ordinator and assessor for the group, said: “We established the Honest Toun Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) group in 2014 to get as many young people as possible through the award.

“This has been a great experience for us and also a huge learning curve. We have all been on courses and have had to learn all about the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award to deliver the best possible experience for our kids.”

As well as team-building, orienteering, map-building and walking trips, the team has also had rowing sessions with Eskmuthe Community Rowing Club, which operates from Fisherrow Harbour.

Other parents involved were Duncan Ellis, who has considerable experience in outdoor education and was the team’s expedition supervisor, helping the young people to plan and co-ordinate the practice and final expeditions; and Gaynor Allen, who also trained as a DofE assessor.

All three parents have children in the group, all of whom attend Musselburgh Grammar School, along with 10 other members of the group. The 14th member is from Dunbar Grammar School and completed her expedition with the Honest Toun group.

Annette said: “We have received excellent support and advice from East Lothian Council DofE staff and from DofE Scotland. Myra Galloway from East Lothian Council’s Community Learning and Development and DofE veteran Dave Habgood have been particularly helpful.

“Our wonderful young people deserve all the credit. They have been amazing. It has been a pleasure and a privilege working with them all. We are looking forward to the greater challenge of getting them through the Silver Award.”