Edward visits Norfolk
HRH Prince Edward, The Earl of Wessex made an early start to his year's engagements when he visited Norfolk. The Earl undertook engagements that had been cancelled after the Earl fell ill with the flu. The Earl visited the Norfolk Ski Club, The Norwich Puppet Theater and the Open Youth Venue. Accompanied by Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk Richard Jewson, he spoke to organisers and volunteers along with those that benefit from their hard work.
HRH The Earl of Wessex first visit was to the slopes, where the youngsters were given the opportunity to impress Prince Edward. He is no stranger to skiing but Prince Edward took his first steps on a dry slope on a frosty Norfolk morning. The patron of the British Ski and Snowboard Federation was not wearing ski boots or a snowsuit to brave the cold, slippery surface and talk to two young Norfolk racers about the facilities they used to train on. The Prince was also shown around the Norfolk Ski Club in Trowse where he was shown a new jump and ramp area. He was also shown less-able beginners from Trowse Primary School slip slide through a more basic lesson. Mike Cooper, club administrator, said: "He met one of our Junior International Skaters, Jake Richardson who is 14, and had a chat with some of our club members. "We made him a lifetime member of the slope but I don't know if we will see him on the slopes. We were all very pleased that he managed to find the time to visit us and he seemed very interested."
He trekked up a steep hill to get to the top of the slope where Shaun Blyth, 10, and Millie Rhead, 13, were preparing for their downhill run. Asked by their coach John Williams about the skiers in his family the prince joked: "There are one or two." And he spoke to Shaun and Millie regarding their efforts in the Eastern Region Ski Association (ERSA) races. Shaun, who was asked who his nemesis was when he came second in East Anglia last year, said he thought the Earl of Wessex was going to be a "bit posh" but that he was "really friendly and nice".
Mike Cooper, club administrator, said today was much more relaxed that it would have been thanks to the "dress rehearsal" that the cancelled date offered. "He put everyone at ease and he was a very pleasant gentleman. He spoke to the children we had here from Trowse Primary School and they had a great time." Developments on the site include a second ski slope, a fun park with jumps and a quarter pipe, refurbishing the nursery slope with a softer, safer surface, five new lifts and a near doubling of the current clubhouse and changing/storage area to cope with the increased demand.
The next stop was the Norwich Puppet Theatre in St James, Whitefriars who are celebrating their 25th anniversary. Prince Edward called Norwich Puppet Theatre a "national treasure" on his visit to celebrate its 25 year anniversary. Prince Edward was given a tour of the theatre and got the chance to meet some of the theatre's best loved puppets, as children from Magdalen Gates First School showed the Earl a thing or two about making rod puppets during a special royal workshop. Ian Woods, theatre manager, said: "He had a go using one of our puppets of a prince and met our members, staff and volunteers. He seemed very interested in the Puppet Theatre and he was very animated in his discussions with us. He had a slice of Victoria Sponge and took another slice of chocolate cake with him for later. We were very pleased he was able to join in with our 25th anniversary celebrations."
The Earl of Wessex took a great deal of interest in the theatre, the shows and the puppets and spoke to everyone from a student on work placement to trustees. Later he was presented with a puppet called the Prince by the theatre. The prince apologised profusely about missing the original visit scheduled on October 7 due to illness, joking that he thought he had bird flu "but thankfully not".
Reuben Johnson, eight, said the prince had talked to him about the puppet he had made. "I was a bit nervous but he was very nice," he said. The prince declined to make a puppet himself but said: "I know a small person who would be tempted." Ian Woods, general manager of Norwich Puppet Theatre, which is one of only two of its kind in England, said: "The Earl was a very personable gentleman and very well informed, obviously he has had some employment experience in the theatre and was interested in the puppetry aspect.
Later in the afternoon, Prince Edward continued his visit at the Open venue in Bank Plain. He was once again shown around by youngsters, who showed him how the former Barclays Bank building would be transformed into a multi purpose venue. Staff at youth information service Connexions also explained how the centre already helps thousands of youngsters each year. Fiona McDiarmid, chief executive of Connexions, said: "It is fantastic that he has taken the time to come and visit. We are building a strong presence here and I hope his visit will help show more people what we do here."
Youth Forum members Katie Kershaw, 17, Holly Gilbert, 16, Steven Gigli, 20, Carys Lloyd, 19, and Tris Abbs, 17, then showed the Earl their vision of how the Open venue are under renovation to make way for smoothie bars, a restaurant, an 11,000 capacity venue arena, media, music, drama and dance studios, a radio station and quiet study areas. Miss Kershaw said: "He asked us all about how the group got together and what we are doing with the building. He seemed more relaxed than I thought he would be and I think he was interested in what young people are doing here." Steven Gigle, 20, praised the prince for "knowing what the youth wanted. " Mr Gigle said: " He took a genuine interest in what we were doing, he asked a lot of questions as to how it all came about. It all seemed very relaxed." Katie Kershaw, 17, another forum member, said: " We answered questions about how all our ideas came together for the venue. He was really nice."
The prince also visited Connexions Norfolk, which occupies offices at Open, to see how the organisation offers young people essential advice and support.
The Earl of Wessex than sat in on a rehearsals for Norwich Young People's Theatre production of Godspell. Budding actress Elizabeth Dean, 16, said: "It was the first time I have ever performed in front of royalty so it was a bit nerve wracking, but once we started singing I got more into it and it was a lot of fun. He is very interested in the theatre himself so I think he enjoyed seeing us rehearse. He asked us a lot of questions and I think he was genuinely interested." Colin Lang, manager of the Open Youth Project and the SOS Bus scheme, said: "I talked to him all about the SOS bus and the plans for Open and he said he was very impressed. I hope that after it is all finished he will be able to come back to witness the change. We would love to have him as a patron." He also spoke to young people on its music diploma course who will use some of its facilities. At the end of the tour, the Earl of Wessex said: "I would like to wish you the best of luck with this project. I am sure you will be able to bring the dreams and aspirations of young people into reality in the future."
His Royal Highness was accompanied throughout his visit by HM Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk, Richard Jewson, who facilitated the tour. The tour ended with canapés provided by the Hotel School at City College Norwich, which will be running a restaurant at Open. Russ Dacre, trustee and project director of the Open Youth Trust, said: " Having a royal visit just shows the stature the project has got now with the public. A lot of people have been involved in it and this was a good way to thank them publicly and say well done."