On Tuesday 31st January at 11:30 a group of year 10 students set off to the Brindley Arts Centre with Mr Kavanagh to meet His Royal Highness the Earl Of Wessex. The students included Carly Hallsworth, Michael Harpur, Natasha Whelan, Ryan Bruster, Emily Miller, Callum Priestley, Mikala Hough, Keifer Flanagon and Thomas Dutton.

The students went to the Brindley, based here in Runcorn, because they are in a scheme called the Duke of Edinburgh Award. This award is a programme for 14 - 25 year olds, who want to get involved with extra curricular activities. At the Brindley there were a lot of different schools, including local schools The Heath and The Grange. When the Earl of Wessex arrived at the Brindley Centre he was given a warm welcome by everyone in the theatre. The Mayor also came to this event, as did BBC Radio.

Its was the 50th Anniversary of the Duke Of Edinburgh Award. We were given a talk about what people did and how it has changed them, for example The Heath with their Peer Mentors. There was also a samba musical and a dance that everyone enjoyed. I interviewed Natasha Whelan to see her thoughts on the event:

What did you think of this event?
I felt the event was interesting as we got to see what people did for the Duke Of Edinburgh Award.

What was the Earl of Wessex like?
We didn't really talk to him alone but he was quite funny and friendly.

Did you enjoy it?
It was funny to see the different talents people had, so yes.

What parts did you like?
I enjoyed it when the speakers blew up and the man had to fill in instead.

What parts didn't you like?
The man at the end of the row was snoring.

At the end of the event all schools left the Brindley to receive their packed lunches. I thought that this day at the Brindley was a lot of help because all the people that went to this event that are doing the Duke Of Edinburgh Award learnt a lot of interesting facts.

by Michael Harpur
article published 7th February 2006