Thanks to Suzanne and Alan for this round-up of news from last week’s Royal visit. Ed
During their two day visit to the Island the Earl and Countess of Wessex had a number of engagements, some jointly and some individually.
On Thursday 27th March the Earl attended the Shanklin Youth and Community Club, which has a nucleus of some 150 members.
Duke of Edinburgh Award groups
Whilst there, he met representatives from the Duke of Edinburgh’s (DofE) Award groups on the Island to learn of their latest achievements. Prince Edward is a trustee of the scheme founded by his father, the Duke of Edinburgh in 1956 as well as being a Gold Award holder himself.
Prince Edward met Carol Taverner Island DofE Coordinator and Christian Scott from DofE SE Region office who introduced the young people from Island groups who had achieved awards.
Presentation of Awards
Representing Carisbrooke College were group leaders Suzanne Whitewood and Mark Saunders and seven students who had completed their Bronze Awards: Zeek Bowen, Courtney Long, Charlie Lynch, Aileish Molloy, Caleb Mowle, Alex Stewart and Hannah Taylor. Also receiving a Bronze Award was Leah German from South Wight Open Award Centre.
Receiving her Silver Award was Olivia Harris from the Newport Open Award Centre and a number of other young people had achieved section certificates towards their awards.
Moving onto Gold Awards which involve gaining four section awards plus a residential there were five recipients: Hannah Clawson, Sophie Wrixon, Amber Pierce, Alasdair Malcolm and Sam Scragg. These young people will soon be meeting the Earl again when they travel to London’s St. James Palace to receive their Gold Award certificates.
Tour of Shanklin Theatre
Along with his wife Sophie he then toured Shanklin Theatre, as part of the venue’s 80th anniversary celebrations. After a private lunch the Royal couple joined an audience to watch a short performance of Beatles songs by First Act, a drama group for people with learning difficulties.
The couple met with performers on stage where a presentation of a Birthday Cake took place. This celebrated the Earl’s 50th Birthday earlier in March. (10th March).
Visit to Newport Minster
In the afternoon the Earl of Wessex was in Newport to view the latest phase of restoration work on Newport Minster in his capacity of Patron of the renewal appeal.
He showed much interest in the project and was accompanied by the Rev. Kevin Arkell.
Royals at Royal Osborne
On Friday 28th March the Royal couple were at Osborne House to officially open a new attraction based in Swiss Cottage – ‘Childhood at Osborne’. This conservation and interpretation project costing some £1.65 million was funded by a Heritage Lottery Grant plus generous donations from charities and local groups including the Island Friends of Royal Osborne.
Originally built between 1853 and 1854 under the aegis of Prince Albert the renovated building with its much changed interior will be open to the public from the 1st of April.
Involving local children
With the Royal children of the day enjoying this as their domain it was only fitting that local children from Queensgate School should be the first to explore the new exhibition areas and discover the new attractions placed there with children in mind.
A two year consultation period had taken place with local children, including Brownie and school groups and families as to what children would really like when visiting Swiss Cottage.
As well as discovering the new exhibits the local children have, over the winter months, planted spring bulbs in the grounds of Osborne and have undertaken a project to grow primroses which will also enhance the area between Osborne House and Swiss Cottage.
Accompanied by other dignitaries
During their visit to Osborne the Earl and Countess were accompanied by an EH Commissioner Vice Admiral Sir Tim Lawrence (Princess Anne’s husband) as well as other representatives of EH.
Also viewing the refurbishment of Swiss Cottage were a number of Island people including the Chairman of IW Council- Cllr. Ian Ward and members of the Island Friends of Royal Osborne.
