FOUR students from Minehead’s Aurora Foxes specialist college and training hotel who have won gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards received them last week from the present Duke, Prince Edward, at a Buckingham Palace ceremony.

Ella, Ben, and Alex joined former pupil Arianna at the palace after having successfully completed a range of challenging and adventurous activities last year, including a hiking expedition and a week’s stay at Kilve Court, Somerset.

They were joined at the presentation by Foxes house manager Nina Patrick, who has led the team supporting students through their awards course at the hospitality and catering college for the past four years.

Ms Patrick was attending as part of celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of the prestigious awards.

Recalling her visit to the palace, student Ella described the experience as ‘amazing and inspiring’.

Ella said: “I was in a line of people who had the opportunity to meet Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh.

“He asked me how I felt about receiving a gold medal and I told him that I felt it was an enormous achievement and one I am incredibly proud of.

“I had what felt like a long chat with him and the funniest part of the day was seeing the faces of people around me who wondered how I managed to grab his attention for so long.”

Ms Patrick praised the impact the award scheme had on Foxes’ students, saying it was hugely beneficial to their individual growth.

She said: “Last year marked a particularly exciting milestone, as 2025 was the first time we were able to offer our students the opportunity to take the gold award.

“It has such a positive impact on their confidence, self-belief, physical fitness, and general life skills.

“As a college we firmly believe the awards help build confidence, resilience, and essential life skills that will stay with our students well beyond the programme.

“I am very proud of what our students have achieved.

“Seeing them collect their awards at Buckingham Palace is a reminder of the powerful impact the award programme has on our students’ lives.”

The college integrates the Duke of Edinburgh awards scheme into its vocational and independent living curriculum.

Students work toward bronze, silver, and gold awards through outdoor expeditions, physical activities. and volunteering.

The programme helps students build life skills, self-confidence, and resilience.

The physical section includes swimming, yoga, ballroom dancing, and walking, while the skills section focuses on cooking, money management, community access, and travel training.

Volunteering has involved working with organisations such as the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) and Marine Conservation Society, which monitors how rubbish reaches the sea from litter in the streets.

Students also complete training expeditions on Exmoor, including six-mile treks from Minehead across North Hill.

Aurora Foxes is a specialist college and training hotel for students with learning difficulties wanting to gain the skills and qualifications needed for a successful working life in the hospitality sector.

Students gain work experience in the Foxes Hotel, which is open to the public.