Today The Countess of Wessex has carried on her busy schedule of engagements. HRH has travelled by helicopter due to the long distances between places she visited. HRH has started her journey in the morning with a visit to The Royal School for Deaf Children Margate in Kent and was received by Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Kent (the Viscount De L'Isle).
The Royal School for Deaf Children Margate was established in 1792 to provide education and residential provision for deaf children. It was first known as The Asylum for the Support and Education of the Deaf and Dumb Children of the Poor. The school started as a vision by the Reverend John Townsend (of the Jamaica Row Congregation Church) which led to the opening of a school in Grange Rd., Bermondsey in London's East End. It's reputation grew and in 1908 a new building was completed in the Old Kent Road for extra pupils.
The origins of the School on the coast at Margate, Kent, dates from 1860 when St. John's College was rented as an extension of the Kent Road as it was then known. The new building at Margate was started in 1972 and completed in 1976, when it was officially opened by it's Royal Patron at that time - Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. After bulletin, click here.
The Royal School for Deaf Children Margate is a non-maintained day and special school with Registered Children's Home for children who are deaf or who have a hearing impairment or associated communication difficulties. Most of pupils have additional educational, emotional/behavioural or medical problems.
The Countess has been school's Patron since 2002. She has followed in the footsteps of Queen Mother who has been a Patron of the school since 1953, until her death in 2002. My post on HRH's Patronage can be found here.
Photographer, Matt McArdle who kindly shared his pictures of HRH's visit said "Sophie is beautiful and easy to photograph. She has always been so relaxed and made everyone feel at ease when I have photographed her visits to the school. The pupils adore her, which is nice to see."
Later The Countess visited Facts International to celebrate the 30th Anniversary at Facts Centre at Ashford, Kent. Facts International is an international market research company specialising in the provision of both worldwide full service and fieldwork/tabulation services.
The Countess' helicopter touched down on sports fields of The Norton Knatchbull School at around 12pm today. Paula Bunnell, the school’s Business Manager have said: “We are honoured that Her Royal Highness has chosen our school as a secure place for her arrival and departure”. Ms Staab, Headteacher of The Norton Knatchbull School, attended the reception and one of the school’s most accomplished ensembles, NKS Quintet, provided the musical entertainment for the occasion. You can learn more here.
During the visit to Facts International - The UK’s leading field research provider, Her Royal Highness was escorted by Managing Director Emily Kettle (she wore a lovely royal blue dress for such special occasion), who introduced her to a wide range of staff, clients and guests, with whom The Countess discussed elements of the business including project feedback, customer value and apprenticeships. Immediately putting everyone at ease, The Countess of Wessex’s prior career in PR shone through as she asked staff how quickly they could gather and feedback insights to clients. Associate Director, Anna Mackenny said “Her Royal Highness had a great understanding of our business and was especially impressed that we could provide valuable client feedback within 24 hours”.
Photo courtesy of Facts International - HRH with Emily Kettle MD Facts International
Whilst touring the telecommunications centre, Her Royal Highness stopped to speak to specialist B2B interviewer Philip Smith, before moving on to greet Facts International’s three apprentices Mathew Johnson, Kieran Farmer and Jack Kelly. Following the introductions, IT Professional apprentice Mathew Johnson noted “Her Royal Highness was interested not just in our individual apprenticeships but in the promotion of apprenticeships in general and took the time to congratulate me on my recent Kent Excellence in Business Award (KEiBA) shortlisting. It was lovely to be introduced to Her Royal Highness and I feel honoured to have met a member of the Royal family”.
Photo courtesy of Facts International - HRH talking to Philip Smith in the telecomms centre
The visit ended in a reception, where Her Royal Highness was introduced to clients and guests representing local schools, colleges and businesses. The Countess gracefully accepted the invitation to participate in Facts International’s charity fundraising efforts and handed over the baton as part of the 30/30 relay challenge on behalf of Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance Trust. In a speech given by Facts International’s CEO Crispin Beale, Facts International gifted a research project to one of The Countess of Wessex’s patron charities and invited her to unveil a commemorative plaque.
Photo courtesy of Facts International - The Countess and Representatives from Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance Trust: Wendy Simkins & Julie Clare
After Kent Online: 'The Countess toured the firm’s Henwood premises and chatted to colleagues and clients. She spoke with ease to staff, jokingly asking them if they were working hard and noting that their desks were tidy, unlike her own office. Kieran Farmer said: “She seemed really down to earth and asked us a lot of questions.” Addressing the crowd, The Countess said: “Thank you so much for having me today. I have really enjoyed the visit.” She also added: “It is nice to go around and actually know what people are talking about” - referring to her background in PR. Full article can be found here.
Completing the visit, Her Royal Highness addressed the reception, thanking everyone for such an enjoyable visit, congratulating us on 30 years of market research excellence and encouraging everyone to keep up the great work both in the research industry and our charitable fundraising. The Countess’s final words were to thank us from the bottom of her heart for our gift and to promise to work with us to help that project provide maximum value to the charity that would be the recipient of the gift.
On her departure, staff and guests alike commented on the success of the visit. Guest Nigel Ashworth, Head of Insight at a leading financial institution and key client of Facts International stated “I was really proud to be part of your celebration and to help showcase the great work your team does for the bank everyday”. You can read more about HRH's visit at Facts International website, by clicking here.
Final step, HRH has toured Rochester Cathedral's building works. Rochester is England's second oldest cathedral, having been founded in 604AD by Bishop Justus. The present building dates back to the work of the French monk, Gundulf, in 1080.
In June 2014 BUXTON have been awarded a prestigious project for Rochester Cathedral named 'Hidden Treasures, Fresh Expressions'. That's why Buxton project managers, Dave Nash and David Rodgers provided a guided tour of the building works for HRH, acting Dean Dr Philip Hesketh and other dignitaries at Rochester Cathedral. You can read more here.
The money will benefit its "Hidden Treasures, Fresh Expressions" project, and will be added to £1.3m raised by the Cathedral Development Trust. The building works will also include repairs to the roof of the 17th Century cathedral library and renewed shelving to increase opportunities for displaying books.
Hidden Treasures, Fresh Expressions (HTFE) is a project that focuses on the Crypt, Library and the 'hidden collections' in the Cathedral's ownership. At the very heart of the project is the creation of a secure exhibition space within the medieval crypt for the display of the collections; a wealth of texts, books, documents, charters, stonework, embroidery, plate, paintings and historical artifacts.
The library will also be repaired and renovated to house our remarkable collection more appropriately and enable us to make this part of the collection more accessible. You can learn more here.
Outfit & jewellery: Helmut Land Gala Blazer worn before. Emilia Wickstead pants from 2011 collection, worn before. It's part of a pantsuit worn by The Countess. Clutch by Jane Taylor, which debuted during Ascot 2015. White ToyWatch TB04. I am not familiar with Countess' sandals. Earrings by Dior from 2015 cruise collection. Part of Mise en Dior collection. Not available online.
HRH visited Margate School, Facts International & Rochester Cathedral.
Rating: 4.5
Diposkan Oleh: sho fia
0 comments:
Post a Comment