Latest news with #DukeofEdinburgh
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Daily Mail
Retracing the footsteps of the boy who would become King - group of pupils walk route taken by teenage Charles
His love of the outdoors, nature and hiking is well-known, with these passions said to have been developed during his time as a pupil at Scots boarding school Gordonstoun. Now, a group of intrepid youngsters have followed in the footsteps of King Charles by completing the same route he trekked with his classmates as a teenager. In 1965, the then 16-year-old Charles completed almost 29 miles trekking through forests and mountains in winter weather, with a 60-year-old log of the trip noting the pupils endured 'stormy wind', 'showers' and 'mist'. The Highlands route, which the seven modern day pupils followed, took in the scenic Glenfeshie Forest and passed by Ben Macdui on the way up Glen Dee. The Prince and four other students took part in the expedition in October 1965, ascending heights of 850m, as part of the Silver Duke of Edinburgh 's Award (DofE) developed by his father Prince Phillip, who was also a former pupil. A log from the trip stated the weather on the first day of the young monarch's trek was 'rainy' with a 'stormy wind' while the second day was 'overcast' with 'showers' and 'low mist'. There was some respite though as the third day was said to be 'a fine day' but with 'mist on the tops' of the surrounding hills. Despite the challenging conditions, Charles and the other four adventurers were said to be in 'good spirits'. Reminiscing about the trek, former Gordonstoun student Michael Fabianski, who completed the expedition alongside the King, said: 'My memory from the expedition was camping for the first night on the banks of the River Feshie and wading across the River Dee, whilst walking up Glen Dee to the Corrour Bothy, where we camped for the second night. 'It's very atmospheric walking up Glen Dee with Cairn Toul on one side and Ben Macdui on the other.' Unlike the modern clothing and equipment pupils can now enjoy, King Charles would have been provided with a much simpler selection. This would have included walking boots and socks, an anorak, gloves, a hat and a rucksack. As for food, they most likely were provided with dried food, which would have been prepared using a camping stove. Charles arrived at Gordonstoun as a 14-year-old in 1962 and left in 1967. His brother Edward and father Prince Phillip - the late Duke of Edinburgh - also attended, as did the King's nephew and niece Peter and Zara Phillips. After discovering the expedition log in the school archive, seven Gordonstoun students re-traced the route through the Cairngorms this summer. Their own four-day expedition, between 19-21 June, took them from Glenfeshie to Rothiemurchus, via the Lairig Ghru, the best-known hill pass in Scotland. The five girls and two boys, aged between 15 and 16, were inspired to replicate the trek as part of their own Silver DofE Award. Another team of seven students walked the route in reverse. The students spent three nights camping in the wilderness, navigating along the route and cooking their own food. Student India Lewis, 16, said: 'To be, quite literally, retracing the footsteps of The King was so cool, and something we can always say we have done.' Gordonstoun is the birthplace of the DofE award after school founder Kurt Hahn first set up a scheme in 1936 called the Moray Badge, to connect with the local community. With the support of Prince Philip, one of the first pupils at Gordonstoun, this evolved to become a national programme in 1956. Gordonstoun Principal Peter Green said: 'In the spirit of our founder, Kurt Hahn, I firmly believe that students must be regularly challenged to grow, both inside and outside the classroom. 'The recent expedition through the Cairngorms, retracing the footsteps of The King, was a powerful illustration of that philosophy in action.' According to numerous accounts, it was during his time at Gordonstoun that Charles first developed his love of the outdoors, hiking and camping. Former classmate at Gordonstoun Johnny Stonborough once discussed his time at the school with the young monarch and said they and the other pupils 'did a lot of hiking'. He added: 'I think we all became very keen on the environment as a result.' A pair of cyclists even encountered the monarch in 2023 as he walked a section of the same famous Lairig Ghru mountain pass that was part of the route he completed as a teen for his DofE award. The men asked the King if he was still on his summer holiday. He responded, saying: 'Yes. It is wonderful up here. The midges are horrendous. It's typical. I like my walking.' The monarch also added that he liked walking because it was 'good for the soul' despite the rainy Scottish weather.
South Wales Argus
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Monmouthshire's nominees at the Welsh Hospitality Awards
These awards aim to highlight excellence in Wales' vibrant hospitality industry, recognising outstanding businesses and individuals to showcase the very best in hotels, restaurants, bars, spas, and other sectors within the industry. Big Love is the 'UK's friendliest small festival' (Image: Facebook) First up in Monmouthshire's list of nominees Big Love, nominated for Best Local Festival. The four-day independent music and arts festival is held in Usk and has been coined the 'UK's friendliest small festival' – their home is even complete with an iron age fort. This value friendly festival pulls together the perfect lineup every year to keep punters dancing and smiling, all without breaking the bank. Big Love is fiercely independent and entirely self-funded since 2016, hosting a range of talent from the local area and around the world. Their big top tent and outdoor aerial stage host an array of activities and shows for all ages, from yoga and aerial classes to DJ workshops and art sessions. The Clarence Hall can accommodate up to 250 guests (Image: Facebook) For those who prefer a more 'civilised' venue to experience art, The Clarence Hall is nominated for Event Venue of the Year. This iconic landmark is situated in the centre of Crickhowell, sitting on the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park. It is the town's largest community event space, with a main hall that can accommodate up to 250 people. The venue features a large stage, balcony, entrance atrium, bar and kitchen for use by customers. The Clarence Hall hosts a number of large community events throughout the year, including seasonal markets and craft fairs, faith group activities, indoor physical activity and dance. They also host some themed events like gardening and arts activities, cinema screenings, exhibitions, book launches, public meetings and cultural celebrations. Cwmdu Campsite is nestled in the heart of the Brecon Beacons (Image: Web) Cwmdu Campsite is nominated for Camping Site of the Year and offers up anything a camper could want for their stay. This Visit Wales 4 Star Campsite has space for tents, campervans, caravans, motorhomes, trailer tents, and roof-top tents, and even hosts Duke of Edinburgh groups. They offer a modern take on camping, with glamping and holiday cottage options available for those who prefer a little more sparkle. The site is entirely dog-friendly, with all the usual amenities along with free Wi-Fi across the site and a mini spa complete with sauna and ice baths for use. The local village of Cwmdu has an excellent pub in The Farmers Arms within walking distance from the campsite for all visitors and campers to enjoy. Delta Hotels offer a range of activities for guests (Image: Web) If camping isn't quite your speed, you may prefer Hotel of the Year nominee Delta Hotels by Marriott St Pierre in Chepstow. This hotel has parts that have stood since the 16th century and has ties to King Henry V and the crown jewels. This former manor house sits in the heart of the Wye Valley and promises a range of activities and experiences for guests. You can sample dishes in the Cast Iron Bar and Grill or take a moment to bask in their renowned spa that offers an extensive range of treatments. Their grounds house one of Wales' most esteemed golf courses, allowing players to take advantage of their creative course design in the picturesque location of the Chepstow countryside. Chepstow Racecourse is nominated for Sports Venue of the Year (Image: Facebook) For lovers of other sports, Chepstow Racecourse is a go to. Nominated for Sports Venue of the Year, it's a staple of life in the town. It's the home of Wales' most 'prestigious' race meeting, the Coral Welsh Grand National, and with 30 meetings of both flat and jump racing this year, there is a fixture to suit any fan of horseracing. Alongside horseracing, the racecourse also holds events that includes a concert series during the summer months. Previous performers include icons like Tom Jones and country-royalty Shania Twain. Their themed race nights, like the upcoming 'Rum and Reggae Caribbean race night' offer up a unique take on the sport, giving those newer to it a reason to go and give it a try. A spokesperson for Chepstow Racecourse said: 'We're delighted to be nominated as Sports Venue of the Year at the Welsh Hospitality awards, it's an honour to be recognised among the best in Welsh sport, and we're incredibly proud of our team and the experience we offer our guests. 'Especially as we look ahead to our first ever Dragonbet Welsh Racing Festival in October, and the Coral Welsh Grand National in December. Along with our centenary year in 2026!" The Savoy Theatre is housed in a Grade II listed building (Image: David Broadbent) Last on the list of nominees for Monmouthshire is The Savoy Theatre in Monmouth, nominated for Best Theatre Wales. This incredible Grade II listed building offers up sensation 5-star entertainment year-round. The Savoy stands on the oldest knows theatre site in Wales and is one of the oldest operational theatres in the country. The theatre is managed and maintained by The Monmouth Savoy Trust, who aim to keep the venue as the premiere entertainment venue for Monmouth and the surrounding areas. The venue hosts everything from live music and festivals to stage shows and book talks with TV personalities, so there is something on their listings for any age group. The winners for the Welsh Hospitality Awards will be announced at an elegant ceremony set to take place on the 10th of September.
Otago Daily Times
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Shy student now spreading his wings
Proud To Be Me is a series celebrating the people of Selwyn. Today's focus is Arran Armstrong, a young man who is going places. Less than three years ago, Arran Armstrong was a quiet, shy student at Darfield High School who was most comfortable in the confines of the family home and preferred others to do the talking. Last month, that same young man from Kirwee took to the stage at Government House to address a roomful of high-ranking officials after receiving his Duke of Edinburgh Gold Medal. Armstrong said the medal was the culmination for two years of pushing himself to new limits and exploring the world around him. 'It all started in my last year at school, when I realised I was spending most of my spare time in my room watching videos, so I decided one day that I was going to stop being so timid and start trying new things and take on leadership opportunities,' he said. Armstrong, 19, said he was inspired by fitness YouTubers to get his body moving and, around that same time, Darfield High was advertising for students to enrol for the Duke of Edinburgh Awards programme. The programme encourages youngsters to explore the outdoors, gain confidence, learn new skills, give back to the community, and push their boundaries by trying new experiences. 'Two teachers at Darfield High were keen to get students involved, so I signed up to test myself a bit more and get active,' he said. Armstrong said the Duke of Edinburgh experience opened his eyes to new opportunities and initially he decided to do an extra year at Darfield High to try different subjects and test his leadership skills on the board of trustees. 'A lot of my friends and family questioned why I voluntarily would do another year at high school after graduating,' said Armstrong, who then unexpectedly did a u-turn after spending the summer in the outdoors. 'I took part in Outward Bound as part of my Duke of Ed and completed the Abel Tasman trail and realised I wanted to see the real world and have more adventures instead of staying in my bubble in Darfield.' The youngster resigned from the school board, packed his bags and went in search of more adventures in Europe. 'I was lucky that I had saved a bit of money in an old savings account and from a job at the brick factory in Darfield, so I just took off.' He initially travelled around Britain, but decided to push himself by exploring other cultures with foreign languages. 'It was pretty daunting, but I was adamant that I wanted to push myself by going to places where I could not speak the language. And in the process, I got lots of exercise carrying my pack around Europe day after day and staying in places on my own for weeks at a time, which both contributed to the criteria for the Gold Medal.' Armstrong said his adventures have changed him forever and the 'old' Arran would have never been confident enough to deliver a speech in front of Dr Richard Davies, husband of Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro, the executives of the Hillary Trust and Duke of Edinburgh Trust, as well as other recipients and their families. 'The ceremony was great. It was cool to be in Government House and it was great they invited us there. But it wasn't as fancy as I had thought.' Armstrong is now on his next journey at Canterbury University where he studies geography, as well as French, Russian and Spanish. He is also training to become a qualified scouting leader.
Metro
21-07-2025
- General
- Metro
Major disruption at London Waterloo to last well beyond afternoon rush hour
Heavy disruption to trains at London Waterloo will continue far beyond the early evening rush hour, National Rail has announced. Passengers were warned to stay away from the station, the fourth-busiest in the UK, this morning due to a major signalling failure. Heavy disruption now expected to last until 9pm, the railway body said in a social media post. South Western Railway said equipment that routes trains in and out of Waterloo had failed, meaning they could not use platforms one to 14. There are 24 platforms at the south London station, more than any other station in the country. A statement from the nationalised operator said: 'Engineers are on site attempting to restore the use of the platforms, but with very few trains able to move in and out of London Waterloo and trains and crew already displaced, services across the network are severely disrupted.' Trains leaving later in the day are 'likely to be subject to delays and alterations', though some trains are expected to run, it added. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said in a post on X that signalling was restored this morning, but added: 'It will take time to get trains and crew back in the right place.' Mike Egleton, whose train home to Petersfield in East Hampshire was cancelled this morning, said the disruption 'seems to be one of those things that happens more and more in this country'. The 60-year-old told Metro: 'We've had a busy weekend, we just want to get home and relax now.' He said he may be forced to take an alternative route back through Chichester, which would add 'two to three hours' to the journey. Annabelle Clayton-Doyle, a 17-year-old student, told Metro she had been waiting for two hours to catch a train to Wareham where she is taking on her Duke of Edinburgh award. She said: 'If we don't do it, we won't qualify, but I suppose if we arrive late then we'll miss time to get to know everyone else who's doing it with us.' Services at Waterloo underground station were unaffected by the issues. According to National Rail, the signalling issues were first reported just after 5.30am. How can I get around while avoiding Waterloo? Any unused tickets valid for today will also be valid for travel tomorrow due to the 'level of disruption', National Rail said. The body has also outlined a number of train routes that can be used with the same ticket today: CrossCountry between Reading and Bournemouth Great Western Railway between Guildford and Reading; London Paddington and Exeter St Davids; Basingstoke and Reading; Salisbury and Westbury; and Weymouth and Westbury Southern between Portsmouth Harbour and London Victoria; Southampton Central and Havant; and Dorking and London Victoria London Underground from Waterloo to Wimbledon/Richmond; London Paddington; and London Victoria A number of bus services are also accepting tickets: Falcon Buses 28 between Guildford – Worplesdon – Brookwood – Woking Falcon Buses 436 between Woking – West Byfleet – Byfleet & New Haw – Weybridge Falcon Buses 514 and 515 between Kingston – Surbiton – Thames Ditton – Esher – Hersham – Walton-on-Thames – Weybridge Falcon Buses 456 between Staines – Chertsey – Addlestone – West Byfleet – Woking Falcon Buses 479 between Guildford – Clandon – Horsley – Effingham Village – Bookham – Leatherhead – Ashtead – Epsom Falcon Buses 408 between Cobham – Oxshott – Leatherhead – Ashtead – Epsom London Buses between, London Waterloo – Clapham Junction – Wimbledon – Subiton – Kingston – Hampton Court – Weybridge – Epsom – Shepperton Morebus M1 and M2 between Bournemouth – Branksome – Parkstone – Poole Morebus 8 and 9 between Poole and Hamworthy Morebus 16 and 17 between Bournemouth – Branksome – Parkstone – Poole Morebus 20 between Bournemouth – Branksome – Parkstone – Poole Morebus N1 & N2 between Christchurch – Bournemouth – Poole Morebus 30 between Wareham – Wool – Dorchester – Weymouth Morebus 40 between Poole and Wareham Stagecoach South 34 between Guildford and Woking Stagecoach South 35 between Guildford and Woking
Otago Daily Times
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Shy Canterbury student now spreading his wings
Proud To Be Me is a series celebrating the people of Selwyn. Today's focus is Arran Armstrong, a young man who is going places. Less than three years ago, Arran Armstrong was a quiet, shy student at Darfield High School who was most comfortable in the confines of the family home and preferred others to do the talking. Last month, that same young man from Kirwee took to the stage at Government House to address a roomful of high-ranking officials after receiving his Duke of Edinburgh Gold Medal. Armstrong said the medal was the culmination for two years of pushing himself to new limits and exploring the world around him. 'It all started in my last year at school, when I realised I was spending most of my spare time in my room watching videos, so I decided one day that I was going to stop being so timid and start trying new things and take on leadership opportunities,' he said. Armstrong, 19, said he was inspired by fitness YouTubers to get his body moving and, around that same time, Darfield High was advertising for students to enrol for the Duke of Edinburgh Awards programme. The programme encourages youngsters to explore the outdoors, gain confidence, learn new skills, give back to the community, and push their boundaries by trying new experiences. 'Two teachers at Darfield High were keen to get students involved, so I signed up to test myself a bit more and get active,' he said. Armstrong said the Duke of Edinburgh experience opened his eyes to new opportunities and initially he decided to do an extra year at Darfield High to try different subjects and test his leadership skills on the board of trustees. 'A lot of my friends and family questioned why I voluntarily would do another year at high school after graduating,' said Armstrong, who then unexpectedly did a u-turn after spending the summer in the outdoors. 'I took part in Outward Bound as part of my Duke of Ed and completed the Abel Tasman trail and realised I wanted to see the real world and have more adventures instead of staying in my bubble in Darfield.' The youngster resigned from the school board, packed his bags and went in search of more adventures in Europe. 'I was lucky that I had saved a bit of money in an old savings account and from a job at the brick factory in Darfield, so I just took off.' He initially travelled around Britain, but decided to push himself by exploring other cultures with foreign languages. 'It was pretty daunting, but I was adamant that I wanted to push myself by going to places where I could not speak the language. And in the process, I got lots of exercise carrying my pack around Europe day after day and staying in places on my own for weeks at a time, which both contributed to the criteria for the Gold Medal.' Armstrong said his adventures have changed him forever and the 'old' Arran would have never been confident enough to deliver a speech in front of Dr Richard Davies, husband of Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro, the executives of the Hillary Trust and Duke of Edinburgh Trust, as well as other recipients and their families. 'The ceremony was great. It was cool to be in Government House and it was great they invited us there. But it wasn't as fancy as I had thought.' Armstrong is now on his next journey at Canterbury University where he studies geography, as well as French, Russian and Spanish. He is also training to become a qualified scouting leader.
