Royalty visits the Malvern Hills
HRH Prince Andrew, the Duke of York,
unveils plaque on "Jubilee Hill"
The idea of naming a hitherto unnamed peak of the Malvern Hills "Jubilee Hill" was developed from an idea of Conservator Ray Roberts (Vice-chairman of Malvern Hills Conservators Public Relations Committee).
Following the naming ceremony on Saturday 1st June 2002 it was suggested by Conservator John Tretheway (Chairman of the Public Relations Committee) that Her Majesty the Queen be informed that a hill had been named in her honour and that she, or a member of her family, was invited to visit the hill. The Malvern Hills Conservators were delighted when this invitation was accepted on her behalf by His Royal Highness Prince Andrew the Duke of York.
The Duke of York made Friday 24th January 2003 a Red Letter Day with the first Royal visit ever to an event hosted by the Malvern Hills Conservators in its 119 year history.
* * * * * *The following is a report of the days events as seen by John Tretheway, Chairman of the Public Relations Committee.
The weather in the days preceding was unsettled - at one point we could have had anything !!
However, 26 January dawned crisp and dry. The "Kettle Sings" off Jubilee Drive & near Gardeners Quarry Car Park was used as our base and the best venue for a possible "wet weather" programme. Notably, this is also very close to Jubilee Hill and also to the grove of trees planted by MHC in 1977 to mark Her Majesty the Queen's Silver Jubilee. The Duke of York arrived at 10:15, en route from Sheffield having previously overflown Jubilee Hill to land on the Three Counties Showground where he was met by the Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire, Mr Michael Brinton. Conservators and guests began arriving at 9:45 - security was very much in evidence. 5 minutes before the Dukes's arrival, following Ian Rowat, our Director, I gave an interview to Radio Hereford & Worcester for their "live" broadcast.
After Prince Andrew had met various Civic dignitaries, he was escorted into the Kettle Sings by Conservator Richard Graves, Malvern Hills Conservators Chairman, and met : Sue Thetford , last year's Vice-chairman; Brian Smith, Chairman of Administration & Resources; David Ward, Chairman Land Management and myself as Chairman of Public Relations.
The prince was obviously interested in the work of the Conservators asking many searching questions. The Prince was then introduced to Ian Rowat, Director of MHC, who then introduced him to the proprietor of the Kettle Sings, Ray Roberts, Vice-chairman of Public Relations who talked about the web site. He then spent some time with David Whitehorne who demonstrated the GIS. Because time was short he headed straight for Jubilee Hill, sadly leaving no time to meet the Field Staff who had hoped to demonstrate a wood-chipping machine. On his way up the hill he paused for a few words with Jim McArthur, one of our longest serving volunteer wardens.
The "grand old duke" managed to shake off, Richard Graves, Ian Rowat & myself - he is a very fit man and was eventually caught up with near Thirds Wood after what felt like an exhausting "Falklands type Yomp" !!!!
He was very friendly to people he met on his way up the Hill. On the summit he was met by a friendly crowd who clapped him. At one point I found myself, for short while talking to him on the summit explaining some details of the view.
Richard Graves then made a brief speech of welcome & invited His Royal Highness to unveil an appropriate plaque which had been fixed to a piece of granite set into the hillside. This was all very light-hearted. Richard Graves then presented the Duke with a polished Malvern granite replica of the Toposcope. We all then headed down the hill at a brisk pace to Gardeners Quarry where the Duke's car was waiting. He shook hand with Richard and again with myself and a few others - thus ended a very happy occasion.
John Tretheway
Councillor Mary Wilkinson, Chairman of the Malvern Hills District Council was also a guest at the event and was presented to the Duke. At the next meeting of the Council on 28th January she reported to the council:-
"The Malvern Hills Conservators were honoured by a visit from His Royal Highness the Duke of York, who came to officially name Jubilee Hill. We all gathered at The Kettle Sings - His Royal Highness was very good at putting everyone at ease. He set a cracking pace up the hill and as Richard Graves so aptly put it - none of us will ever forget the day we went up the hill with the Duke of York! the Duke responded in the same vein, saying he was honoured to be looking at the first of his own ten thousand men…."
The local news media were very much in evidence, the following day the Worcester Evening News carried a excellent report with pictures as did the Malvern Gazette the following Friday.
