Patrice Francis, an engineer at the CEAS Ltd on assignment at the Government House Restoration Initiative and Deshawn Bailey, a recent High School graduate from Barbuda, are proud recipients of a tuition scholarship at the Prince’s Foundation 3- week Summer School.
The pair traveled to the United Kingdom to commence studies on July 9 in courses which will enable them to develop their knowledge of traditional architecture, design, building and repair techniques and how these can be applied in the 21st century.
The programme began in London with theoretical exercises, tours and the study of architectural development and history and will be followed by practical work at Dumfries House Estate in Scotland. In the latter case, delegates will work together with local expert craft teams to learn craft and conservation skills in the fields of timber, thatching, stonemasonry, lime plastering and pargeting.
The tuition scholarships, each valued at EC$13,750.00, were negotiated by the Heritage Trust (Antigua and Barbuda) Inc. which has responsibility for the Government House Restoration Project. The non-profit entity is run by a Board of Directors and chaired by the Governor-General of Antigua and Barbuda, His Excellency Sir Rodney Williams. The Board was also able to arrange a two-week work experience attachment for Ms. Francis at the highly regarded conservation company, Alan Baxter & Associates in London.
In his discussions with the recipients, the Governor General, His Excellency Sir Rodney Williams underscored the need for specialized training in restoration trades, particularly among young artisans since the work of restoration and maintenance of our nation’s important heritage buildings will be an ongoing one. Sir Rodney conveyed his thanks to Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales through Mr. Jeremy Cross, the Foundation’s International Network Manager and to Heritage Trust Director Mr. Philip Davies for arranging for the engineering attachment. The scholarship recipients’ return airfare and some living expenses were covered with donor funding from the Calvin Ayre Foundation and The Barbuda Research Complex/Nebraska University, Dr. Sophia Perdikaris. The delegates agreed to not only share the knowledge and skills learned in the course with others in the construction sector, but to also actively engage in the restoration of Government Houses in Antigua and Barbuda as well as other archaeological and heritage projects across both islands.
The Prince’s Foundation was founded by Prince Charles to support community development under the theme, ‘Respecting The Past, Building The Future’.
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