THE former leader of the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme at a Stevenston school has described how he rubbed shoulders with royalty in Edinburgh.

Norrie Brown and his wife Jacqueline were special guests at the Palace of Holyroodhouse after he was named Duke of Edinburgh Torchbearer of the Year.

Norrie, who has just retired from Auchenharvie Academy, led the school's Duke of Edinburgh Award programme for 20 years.

He said: "This was a truly inspiring day with the Royal Family and it was an honour to be with so many other people who have their own stories to tell."

Through delivering the Duke of Edinburgh's Award (DofE), Norrie has positively engaged some of the Academy’s hardest to reach students.

He has helped numerous young people secure university placements and jobs, and reducing anti-social behaviour at the local fire station as part of young people’s DofE Skills section.

Norrie and wife JacquelineNorrie and wife Jacqueline (Image: Norrie Brown)

This outstanding work was recognised as the charity hosted its This is Youth 2023 award, where Norrie was crowned 'Torchbearer of the Year'.

He said at the time: “When I heard I had won, I was numb but very, very proud.

"It gives me a lot of pleasure to see all these pupils that leave the school who have taken part in the Auchenharvie DofE programme being successful – whether that’s getting great jobs, or doing well at college or university.

"Knowing how well they’re doing is the biggest pleasure I get out of my job.” 

During his two decades leading the DofE course, Norrie says that the most exciting part of has been working with Kilwinning's community fire station to deliver a 12-week outreach programme.

He added: “Two firefighters approached me to say they were having lots of trouble in town with kids that went to Auchenharvie, so we set up a Skills section at the fire station.

"The young people do everything a firefighter does, like cutting dummies out of cars, hose running and getting to know the engine and tools.

"The rapport between pupils and fire service went up, incidents went down and it’s just gone from strength to strength.”

Congratulations to Norrie and Jacqueline on their well deserved date at the Palace.