Welbeck defence sixth form college receives a royal visitor

His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, visited Welbeck Defence Sixth Form College on Wednesday the 6th April 2011, to award the Prince Philip Medal to 17 year old student Andrew Hardman. The medal was instigated by The Duke of Edinburgh following a visit to the College at its former site in Nottinghamshire in July 1993 and is awarded to the most outstanding student in the senior year.

The Duke was greeted on arrival by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire, Lady Gretton, Principal Tony Halliwell and Brigadier Boswell, Director Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.

This was Prince Philips first visit to the College since it moved from its previous site near Worksop to Loughborough in 2005. The visit was commemorated with the unveiling of a plaque and signing of the visitors book in the College Forum.

The Duke was given a briefing by students before taking a tour of the College. This included viewing a demonstration of the winning entry from a recent Engineering Competition and viewing projects from the Design Technology students. The tour culminated in a kayaking display in the swimming pool by students from the College and Defence Technical Undergraduate Scheme studying at Loughborough University.

Liam Griffin (17) from Mountsorrel was one of the students who showed the Duke around. Liam said “It was a huge honour hosting His Royal Highness, a day I will never forget. He took a genuine interest in Welbeck and what I was planning to do with my career.” Liam is being sponsored by the Defence Engineering and Science Group and will start his Career within the MoD on graduation from University.

Samuel Wass (18) from Melton Mowbray showed Prince Philip his bridge construction task from a recent Engineering Competition held at the College. Samuel said “It was one of those days that you never expect to be involved in. Considering all the preparation, drill, stress and worry about our bridge collapsing, it all went really well. Prince Philip was very easy to talk to and I even made him laugh a few times. It was a great experience and one I will never forget, especially the march past on parade.” Samuel is being sponsored by the Army to attend Welbeck and will go to Sandhurst to be trained as an Officer after he completes his Mechanical Engineering Degree at Birmingham University.

Lunch was followed by a Combined Cadet Force Parade with approximately 300 students taking part. The Duke of Edinburgh reviewed the parade, accompanied by Major Andrew Reid, Vice Principal Military. The visit culminated with the presentation of the Prince Philip Medal and a short address from Prince Philip.

The Award recipient Andrew Hardman from Cyprus is planning on studying Mechanical Engineering at Newcastle University and will then go on to Sandhurst to become an Officer in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. Andrew’s father Mark who himself served 24 years in the Royal Logistic Corps said “We are incredibly proud of Andrew’s achievement and it has been a honour to see him Commanding the Parade and receiving his award from His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh. ”

Principal Tony Halliwell said “It was an enormously successful day for the College – Prince Philip thoroughly enjoyed meeting the students and was delighted to present his special annual award in person to the most outstanding Cadet Andrew Hardman. The standard of the Military Parade was outstanding and we are all very proud of the performance of our students.”

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