Eight Antiguan and Barbudan candidates selected for The King's Foundation Building Crafts Programme in the United Kingdom were formally honoured Thursday evening at a cocktail reception hosted by Governor General Sir Rodney Williams and Lady Williams at Galley Bay Hotel.
According to Antigua News Room, the reception was held in partnership with the Antigua and Barbuda College of Advanced Studies (ABCAS) and with the support of Galley Bay Hotel, recognising the candidates' achievement and marking a significant milestone ahead of their departure to the United Kingdom.
Addressing the gathering, Sir Rodney extended congratulations to the candidates and emphasised the national importance of the opportunity.
"This programme represents far more than individual advancement," the Governor General said. "It is an investment in the preservation of our heritage and the strengthening of our national capacity. As you acquire these specialised skills, you will be contributing directly to the safeguarding of our historic buildings, including Government House, and to the development of more resilient approaches to construction in Antigua and Barbuda."
Sir Rodney also encouraged the candidates to approach the programme with dedication and purpose, noting that the knowledge gained would serve both present and future generations.
The King's Foundation was established by His Majesty King Charles III in 1990 with a mandate to build and support communities in which people and the planet can coexist in harmony. The charity delivers education and training to nearly 15,000 students annually, provides health and wellbeing programmes benefiting approximately 2,000 persons each year, and leads planning, conservation, and regeneration projects across the United Kingdom and internationally.
Through the collaboration between ABCAS and The King's Foundation, the eight candidates will undertake an intensive seven-week course in the United Kingdom. The programme is designed to develop practical skills in the conservation and repair of historic buildings, while equipping participants with knowledge in climate-sensitive and resilient construction practices.
Participants will receive hands-on training in traditional building techniques and materials, with workshops led by master craftspeople in areas including carpentry, stone masonry, ironwork, roofing, plastering, technical drawing, and architecture. The training will also emphasise the application of these skills to Antigua and Barbuda's own historic buildings and built environment.
The programme is delivered across several of The King's Foundation's sites in the United Kingdom, including Dumfries House Estate in Scotland, The School of Traditional Arts in London, and Highgrove Gardens in Gloucestershire.
Their Excellencies expressed appreciation to ABCAS, The King's Foundation, and the management and staff of Galley Bay Hotel for their partnership and support in making both the programme and the reception possible.
