Students at the Derwen College have celebrated their ‘best day’ so far after the visit of Prince Edward.
The campus was alive with excitement yesterday (March 18) as the Duke of Edinburgh, visited the college to tour its dedicated Outdoor Centre, where students proudly showcased their skills that they have learned as part of their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme.
The Duke watched as students, with a wide range of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), working towards their Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards, demonstrated activities.
These included boarding the canoe simulator, scaling the traversing wall, and outdoor cooking around the firepit.
Hannah Morell, who is on her gold award, was one of the students who greeted the duke on his tour of the centre said she had been very excited for the day and that it was her "best day" at the college so far.
“We have done expeditions and got to different places,” said Hannah. “We have been practicing and making the hot chocolates to show the Prince. I really enjoyed it.”
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The Duke then explored the college’s remarkable Marketplace, where he met students and staff working in the college’s Garden Centre and Gift Shop, Walled Garden Café, and The Vintage Advantage charity shop.
Here he took part in work-based activities with students, including making a Derwen College hamper.
Gobowen-based hospitality student Josh Milner who shook the Duke’s hand was overjoyed to meet him and spoke to him about his hobby of fly fishing and was happy that they shared an interest.
Sophie Egerton, who is studying a course in Hospitality, spoke to Prince Edward as he toured the gift shop and said she liked meeting him and “found him really friendly”.
This was the first Royal visit the college had since 1994, when the College’s patron, The Duchess of Kent, last attended.
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To mark the occasion, a celebratory lunch was held in The Orangery Restaurant, attended by special guests including His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Shropshire, Anna Turner; Shropshire High Sheriff, Brian Welti, and Shropshire Council Chairman, Councillor Vince Hunt.
The event was also attended by community and business members who have generously supported students in taking part in walking, canoeing, and sailing expeditions.
Student Council president Jonathan Wiltshire and deputy president Lizzie Allen were proud to share a table with him.
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Jonathan said: “His Royal Highness asked me about me work in retail and helped to make a hamper with me using a planogram. He put us all at ease. It was a really proud moment for me and for the college.”
Lizzie, who is taking her Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award, showed the Duke the outdoor centre climbing wall. She said: “I was so nervous but he was lovely. He even had a go on the traversing wall and was really good at it. I can’t wait to tell my family all about today.”
Derwen College, principal and CEO, Meryl Green, said: “Receiving a visit from His Royal Highness was a huge honour for the whole college. We feel very privileged to have been able to highlight the work that we do to prepare young people with SEND for adult life.
“We were particularly proud to showcase our fully accessible Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Outdoor Centre which has been developed over the 10 years the college has been running the award, and ensures that young people with disabilities don’t miss out on the fabulous opportunities the scheme offers.
“It was also wonderful to be able to show His Royal Highness our unique Marketplace which is open to the public, and to demonstrate the exceptional real-life training opportunities this provides to our students in order to prepare them for the world of work.
“The visit was a fantastic occasion for all involved, which shone a light on the importance of the work the College does every day to support young people with SEND.”
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