Prince Edward makes Platinum Jubilee bunting on Isle of Wight

The Earl and his wife Sophie, Countess of Wessex, spent yesterday on the Island, visiting several organisations. It was part of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Prince Edward dropped in to visit the Isle of Wight charities Independent Arts and South West Area Youth (SWAY). Participants, volunteers, staff and arts practitioners welcomed him to
Independent Arts Creative Hub in Newport.

• Read more: Royal visit to the Isle of Wight
• Scroll down for video from earlier in the day, at Pan in Newport....

The Earl enjoys chatting to musicians JC & Cathy Grimshaw and Tony Nichol who provide interactive workshops in island care homes, managed by Nicola Ward. Picture by Julian Winslow.

During the hour-long visit, The Earl, a longstanding supporter of the arts, joined in with a demonstration of therapeutic Singing for Breathing and toured the Heritage Newport Mills gallery exhibition of art installations created by Young Carers, the Newport Scouts and Year 5 students from St Helen’s Primary School.

His Royal Highness also learnt about the charity’s wellbeing workshops in care homes around the Island, meeting some of the hugely talented musicians and artists who bring such joy to residents, particularly those with dementia.

The Earl heard about arts for wellbeing projects supporting young people and families
across the Island, with a display of artworks from the Saturday Picture Play sessions, and by teenagers attending the Creative Hub to support their mental health.

Students from the IW Education Federation showed their display of biosphere birds sculpted from wire, created as part of a year-long Creative Biosphere collaboration
with artist-in-residence Trudie Wilson.

Arts Practitioner Kirstie Hayler, a ceramicist demonstrates regal dogs to The Earl of Wessex, explaining how participants of all ages enjoy making models with clay. Picture by Julian Winslow.

The Earl joins the warmup exercises for the Singing for Breathing demonstration. Picture by Julian Winslow.

Video filmed earlier in the day, in Pan, Newport.

Volunteers and participants from the weekly Creative Café group chatted to the prince as they stitched Jubilee bunting, and a couple of rousing songs were sung by all as part of the SingAbout sessions.

Wendy Varley, chair of trustees, said: “It was a privilege to be able to show The
Earl of Wessex how Independent Arts makes a real difference to people’s lives. It was a thoroughly enjoyable hour.”

Weekly participant Margaret Loveridge, who showed Prince Edward how to sew Jubilee bunting, said: “It was an honour to be invited. Independent Arts have given me so much, coming to their projects has helped me get my life back. The whole experience has been magical. It was my pleasure to represent the work of Independent Arts.”