Scout Training in Cumbria

The Duchess of Cambridge visited an adult scout training program at the Great Tower Scout Activity Center on the shores of Lake Windermere in Cumbria on a wintery Friday.

The Duchess arrived at the camp and was one of 25 adult volunteers that attended a training program.  The group then moved outside for further training in creating different types of camp fires. After a lunch break, Kate Middleton and the adults were joined by a group of youth Cub Scouts from Manchester and Cumbria. Putting their new knowledge to use the group taught the children how to make fires of their own as well as cook unleavened dough on sticks.   Kate was overheard remarking that the bread may not be the best of snacks, "it's actually not bad, if you were really desperately hungry."

According to their website, the Scouts help 400,000 youths in the UK build social and education skills and life long friendships.  The volunteers make this possible for the children and find the task rewarding.

 

Pictures: Zimbio

Visit to Baker Street Station

The Duchess of Cambridge joined Her Majesty the Queen and Prince Philip on a visit to Baker Street underground station for the 150th anniversary of the London Underground. The group met staff and toured the station before Queen Elizabeth II presided over the naming of a new train in her honor "Queen Elizabeth 11."

Pictures: Zimbio

Visit to Child Bereavement UK Offices

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited the offices of Child Bereavement UK in Buckinghamshire on March 19, 2013.  Prince William has been a patron of this organization since May 2009.

During their visit they met with the staff and bereavement services, as well as met with the training and fundraisers teams.  The organization supports families as well as educational professionals grieving the loss of a baby or child, or when a child loses a parent.

From Child Bereavement UK's website:

The death of a parent, brother or sister; miscarriage or still birth; the loss of a baby or child of any age; these life-shattering events can plunge anyone into a devastating world of grief.

Child Bereavement UK believes that all families should have access to the support and information they need when a child grieves or when a child dies. Through understanding their grieving process and receiving help in dealing with bereavement from appropriately trained professionals, families can learn to live with their grief and begin rebuilding their lives. That is why we are here.

Later the couple met with bereaved families also involved in the Children's and Young Peoples Service (CHYPS), Young People's Advisory Group (YPAG), and Parent's Support Group.

 Pictures: Zimbio

Adershot St. Patricks Day Parade

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited the 1st Battalion Irish Guards at Mons Barracks, Adershot outside London on March 17, 2013.

Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge presented traditional sprigs of shamrocks to the officers and guardsmen of the regiment on St. Patrick's Day.

William and Kate watched 200 soldiers march in the parade to mark the holiday.

 Pictures: Zimbio

Visit to Grimsby

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge visited Grimsby, Licolnshire, today, March 3, 2013 in the north of England. After a delay due to the weather, Catherine arrived from London via helicopter.

The marinetown currently has some of the highest unemployment rates in England, especially among youths; one in three young persons struggle to find work. The area has been working with the Prince's Trust to help get back on its feet.

The first stop on Kate Middleton's visit to Grimsby was to the National Fishing Heritage Center.  She was greeted by young Lucy Bell, 3, with a posy flower bouquet.  Lead by trawlerman and former 'Ross Tiger' skipper John Vincent, Kate toured the center's facilities during her 45 minute visit to the museum. 

Prior to the visit, Catherine requested to meet with a local expert to discuss fishing sustainability (a cause close to her father-in-laws heart), the center brought in local trawlerman Kurt Christensen for these talks.

Originally, Kate's visit to Grimsby was to visit was to view programs sponsored by the Prince's Trust; however, Lord Lieutenant of Lincolnshire suggested that she also visit the Fishing Heritage Center during her stay given the areas rich maritime history.

After a five minute meet and greet with the crowd outside the center, Kate visited the Humberside Fire and Rescue Service at Peaks Lane Fire Station.  The Duchess met with the on-duty firemen and firewomen, as well as young people participating in personal development Team programme at the station run by the Prince's Trust charity, during her hour long stay.  The course is a 12-week program for teenagers, to help develop team-building and CV writing skills.

Afterwards, Catherine made her third and final stop to see the renovated Havelock Academy.  Kate took a tour of the school, the hockey facility and she also met with an A-level photography group while officially opening the academy.

Students prepared homemade biscuits and a musical performance to welcome the Duchess.  The school, located in a hard hit area of Grimsby, educates 1,000 pupils aged 11-18.

Pictures: Zimbio