IW Royal visit to support charities

The Duchess of Gloucester had a flying visit to the Island on Wednesday to help promote a variety of charities.

The Duchess landed by helicopter on the playing fields at the back of the West Wight Sports & Community Centre. She was escorted across the road to the Freshwater Methodist Church to speak to members and volunteers of the West Wight Dementia Choir, which is run by Pam Wedgwood, an inspirational music teacher. Pam has run the choir since 2017 and it now numbers more than 70 people including carers and volunteers.

She was met by the Island’s Lord-Lieutenant, Susie Sheldon, her husband, Jamie, and Army Cadet Force, Corporal Jessica Atkins.

The Duchess chatted to members and volunteers before joining in, as they sang a variety of songs including ‘You make me feel so young’, ‘Any Time will do’ and ‘I’m Getting Married in the Morning’, ringing a handbell during the chorus.

The Duchess said: “I’d like to thank you for the performance and welcome. You sang brilliantly and with great enthusiasm.”

Pam, who would like to expand the choir across the Island, added: “The Duchess was so easy to talk to and made you feel at ease. It was a lovely occasion for all of us.”

The Duchess then moved on to Newport to unveil a plaque at the new ambulance station based at St Mary’s Hospital.

Darren Cattell, chief executive said: “We are honoured to welcome Her Royal Highness to open this fantastic new facility and to meet some of our ambulance staff. The new station and all the improvements that have been made will make such a difference to our people and our service, and will ensure our ambulance service is resilient for the future to continue providing a high-quality urgent and emergency service to our Island community.”

Next was a visit to Home-Start in the town, a voluntary organisation, which offers support to parents and carers with at least one child under school age, to help them with the challenges of family life.

Finally, there was a trip to Sandown & Shanklin Golf Club to meet the members of the Island games team, who will be travelling to Guernsey later this summer.

The team will be sending 220 athletes to the games and the Duchess made a presentation to sponsors, ICR Touch, who provide the kit, and Red Funnel, who support the team with free travel.

Susie said: “The Duchess was amazing and was interested to know about everybody and everything.”

Pic: HRH with Darren Cattell (in suit) and ambulance staff