Today, The Countess of Wessex visited to The School of Jewellery, located in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter - largest concentration of businesses involved in the jewellery trade, which produces 40% of all the jewellery made in the UK. The School of Jewellery is part of the Birmingham Institute of Art and Design (BIAD), a faculty of Birmingham City University.
Official photos courtesy of Birmingham City University. Click on pic to view full gallery of HRH's visit.
Its portfolio of courses includes jewellery, silversmithing, horology, and gemmology. It is close to the Jewellery Industry Innovation Centre (JIIC), which offers professional expertise in industry-related techniques including Computer Aided Design (CAD), rapid prototyping and surface finishing.
This 2015 year the school celebrates its 125th anniversary. Since I am a huge jewellery freak, it's one of many HRH's visits I wish I could see with my own eyes.
Official photos courtesy of Birmingham City University. Click on pic to view full gallery of HRH's visit.
During visit, The Countess has met some of the students and saw the new Technology Hub, that was designed by The Space Studio. The Hub should be completed by the end of 2015 and it was build, so The University’s gemmology department could move into new, state-of-the-art premises in the Jewellery Quarter, enabling further development of gemmological training for School of Jewellery students. You can learn more here.
Official photos courtesy of Birmingham City University. Click on pic to view full gallery of HRH's visit.
The Countess has met Lauren Elizabeth Jewellery, who was invited to exhibit some of her work as one of the School Of Jewellery's alumni. There is some beautiful work on show with the exhibition leading up to the opening of the university's new Technology Hub.
At the end of the visit, HRH was gifted with a necklace, its design reminds me of fruit of an ornamental plant, called Physalis alkekengi (bladder cherry, Chinese lantern). Of course I can be mistaken, will try to verify that. This necklace (in flore design) in 18ct White Gold and Derbyshire Blue John was made by Rebecca Sellors who studied at Birmingham School of Jewellery for three years. Rebecca graduated in 2013, receiving a First Class Honours from the Jewellery and Silversmithing BA Design for Industry Degree Course.
Afterwards, HRH has visited University College Birmingham to officially open the McIntyre House - spectacular new centre for higher education and postgraduate study, which was named in honour of former Principal Dr Eddie McIntyre CBE.
The Countess was escorted on a tour of McIntyre House, by University College Birmingham (UCB) Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Ray Linforth. HRH also met informally with a range of students. One of those lucky students said afterwards: "She is so friendly, she kept smiling and waving. She talked to us and wished us a good lesson. Such an unforgettable memory".
via UCB official Twitter feed. HRH discussing Early years education with UCB students in Thinkspace.
The Countess was also invited to look at plans for UCB’s next stage of expansion, the ambitious Phase 2 redevelopment of Holland Street, which will see a former industrial site transformed into a £65 million centre for academic study, innovation and commerce.
via UCB official Twitter feed. The Countess plays pirates with young Brendon Carroll. The Countess met members of the two lecturers’ families during her tour of the Holland Street site.
The 160,000sq ft Phase 2 project, more than double the size of McIntyre House, will feature 50 new classrooms, five 100-seat lecture theatres and Skill Street, a “finishing school” comprising retail units where students will be offered real-life work opportunities. The Countess also attended a special lunch hosted by Zoey Harris, President of the Guild of Students, and chatted to student representatives from across UCB’s further education, higher education and postgraduate courses.
To conclude her visit, HRH has unveiled a commemorative plaque and met former Principal Dr Eddie McIntyre CBE, who said: “I am deeply honoured to have my name attached to UCB’s amazing new centre for undergraduate and postgraduate study. During my time at UCB, I was fortunate to work with an outstanding management team and a hugely supportive governing body. McIntyre House is a tribute to their unstinting dedication.”
HRH was also presented with a bouquet of flowers by Anna Pargeter, daughter of Edward Pargeter - lecturer and manager of business and marketing programmes, who passed away in 2008. The coulurs of flowers represented colours of University College Birmingham. For full press release please check University's website, by clicking here.
Later, HRH has visited Happy Hours Club located at The Elton Centre in Stourbridge to present The Queen's Award for Voluntary Services. The Awards were created in 2002 to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, the award winners are announced each year on June 2 – the anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation.
print screen of video via Stourbridge News, click on pic to be redirected.
The Happy Hours Club offers a safe environment for local people with learning difficulties involving themed evenings, games and discos. The Countess attended a special ceremony to present Mr Fowkes and club secretary Sharon Atkins with their award.
print screen of video via Stourbridge News, click on pic to be redirected.
Mr Fowkes said afterwards: “We were so honoured to have Sophie here with us today. It was brilliant to have her visit and she spoke to every individual in the room. Going around the room she spent a lot of time with every member, and she made us all feel at ease and very relaxed. She was such a lovely person. But her visit was all about thanking our helpers for the great job they do in giving up their spare time and volunteering with us. If it wasn’t for our 25 volunteers we wouldn’t be able to run the club, leaving 60 local people with learning difficulties with nowhere to go.” More information about this event & few pictures in the article by Stourbridge News. Click here.
In the evening, The Earl of Wessex, Chairman of International Special Projects of The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award Foundation and The Countess of Wessex held a Dinner. Sadly, I am afraid, this event will be private and we won't see any pictures.
blurry print screen of video by Program DofE (in Czech) youtube channel. Picture taken by Fergus Burnett Photography. Click on pic to view the video
Updated: Event indeed was private, however DofE Czech Republic branch, shared a video, in which we got a glimpse of the event. It shows Lukáš Kotlár (19, he stands next to The Earl), an exceptional young man who finished the Duke of Edinburgh´s Gold Award, and was awarded by The Countess of Wessex during her recent visit to Czech Republic.
Outfit & jewellery: Morning, Cocoon coat by Prada. New dress, I think, not sure on brand. Or a sweater and a skirt. The pictures didn't reveil much. Those gorgeous new earrings, which sadly I cannot ID. LK Bennett Belle boots. Clutch by Sophie Habsburg Design in Ginny Style. Evening, New black peplum blouse. No ID. Emilio Pucci Maxi crepe skirt, which debuted back in 2013 in Qatar. Earrings, as above. Pin/brooch, most likely for DofE Award.
HRH visited The School of Jewellery at BCU, University College Birmingham & Happy Hours Club
Rating: 4.5
Diposkan Oleh: sho fia
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