Duke of York learnt ‘something new’ in Dagenham

Britain’s Duke of York learnt ”something new” after visiting Dagenham yesterday (06.05.13).

Prince Andrew was given a tour of the Centre for Engineering and Manufacturing Excellence (CEME) by CEO Bill Williams and chairman Martin Broadhurst at the facility in Marsh Way, east London, and stopped to talk with staff from numerous businesses working in the innovation building.

Andrew – the second son of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip – also spoke to students who were testing newly made trebuchet catapults and taking part in the CEME workshop, telling them he wished he could stay with them and ”play all day”.

He said: ”I learn something new from my travels every single day and I have learned lots of things that I will take with me.”

Ford apprentice Vanessa Clayden, 19, described the royal as ”very nice”, adding: ”He was really keen to find out what I was doing.”

After stopping for a spot of lunch, Andrew then continued to be taught about the High Speed Sustainable Manufacturing Institute, which is due to open in September 2014, and met future student 14-year-old Callum Manning and his mother Toni Quick.

Speaking about her chat with the prince, Toni said: ”He was very relaxed and enthusiastic. I felt quite comfortable chatting to him, I was a little nervous at first but he made me feel at ease.

”He seemed really convinced about the benefits of studying at a technical college.”

Praising the upcoming college, Andrew said: ”The technical college that will open next year will be a really important addition to the work of CEME.

”Being told ‘no’ at school is not good enough – they need to be told that in the real world of work everything is possible.”