THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE WILL VISIT SOUTH YORKSHIRE
Rotherham and Barnsley
Wednesday 14th November, 2018
On Wednesday 14th November The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will visit South Yorkshire. In Rotherham they will officially open McLaren Automotive’s new Composites Technology Centre before travelling to Barnsley’s local Centrepoint hostel. At the hostel Their Royal Highnesses will meet with young people who are supported by the charity, and visit their new Learning Hub. The Duke has been Patron of Centrepoint since 2005.
The new McLaren Composites Technology Centre will be used to innovate the process of designing and constructing lightweight carbon fibre ‘tubs’, which form the internal shell of all McLaren cars. Their Royal Highnesses will be shown the prototype manufacturing line that includes industrial processes for cutting and fitting carbon fibre. The carbon fibre car chassis produced here will then be assembled at McLaren’s site in Woking, which The Duke visited last year.
Their Royal Highnesses will meet those working in the factory and hear about plans for the Centre’s expansion that will provide 200 new jobs for the local area. Some of McLaren’s STEM Ambassadors will also be present at the event and will speak to The Duke and Duchess about their work encouraging children to get involved in science-based learning and careers.
The Duke and Duchess will then travel to Barnsley where they will visit one of Centrepoint’s services, which supports over 60 homeless young people from the local area every day. Last year 7,000 young people in Yorkshire and the Humber approached their local authority because they were homeless or at risk. In Barnsley, Centrepoint is working to provide these young people with accommodation and support to get them back into education, training and employment. Their Royal Highnesses will help prepare lunch in the kitchen before sitting down with residents to talk about their experiences.
After lunch, The Duke and Duchess will visit Centrepoint’s new Andy Norman Learning Hub. The Hub has been built to provide a dedicated space and resources for young people at risk of homelessness in Barnsley, which will enable them to improve their skills and move towards independence. Their Royal Highnesses will have the opportunity to chat with those who use the Learning Hub before officially opening it.
