Unveiling expert comes to town

From the Swindon Advertiser, first published Saturday 1st Mar 2003.

NEW College moved wholesale into an £11 million building, and the Duke of Edinburgh took a genuine interest in the students and their studies.

After lunching with Swindon Councillors, senior staff at the college and other dignitaries, including the Bishop of Swindon, the Prince made his way around the college, accompanied by principal Graham Taylor, college students' union president Luke Graham and publicity officer Roshni Patel.

Although it was half term, students arrived for lessons to give the Prince a flavour of the college.

Art and design student Ella Rumbold, 17, from Abbeymeads, was working on a silk print. Before meeting the Prince she said she was nervous and hoped he wouldn't speak to her as she didn't know what to say.

But after meeting him she said: "It was all right, he was asking me about the silk print and wanted to see other work I had been doing.

"I didn't expect him to be as friendly as he was. I didn't feel nervous really."

Prince Philip, who is known for his distrust of the media, gave a wry smile when student Matt Sloper, 17, from Swindon told him he wanted to be a journalist.

But A-level student Riz Quadri, 18, from Swindon, created a scene when he asked the Prince to shake his hand and his request was refused.

Quadri, who had stood in the corridor waiting to catch a glimpse of the Prince, said: "I put my hand out and he didn't shake it and so I asked him to shake my hand but he wouldn't.

"I am annoyed, very annoyed. All he had to do was shake my hand."

After exploring the college the Prince made his way to the theatre, where guests had been enjoying a show by performing arts students, and Mr Taylor gave a speech thanking the Prince for coming. Mr Taylor's daughter, Leone, made a presentation of a picture.

Swindon mayor Stan Pajak said: "This has been a fantastic day and a fantastic celebration for Swindon.

"I thought he came across very well. One of his aides was telling me he is either very miserable or very cheerful and today he seemed happy and showed it."

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