As part of our 30th anniversary year, we welcomed HRH The Duke of Gloucester to our Colchester head office. Lord Lieutenant of Essex, Jennifer Tolhurst hosted the royal visit to Essex and we were delighted when Mrs Tolhurst invited Open Road to meet with The Duke.
During his time with Open Road, The Duke met staff and volunteers including Patron Lorna Rolfe and Chair of Trustees Nick Alston. He heard about our vital work helping vulnerable people throughout Essex and Medway at our treatment centres, as well as through services such as the Colchester and Chelmsford SOS Buses. We explained how we have also diversified services to meet need during Covid including supporting the NHS’s vaccination drive which The Duke was interested to hear about.
Open Road’s Chair of Trustees, Nick Alston said of the visit, “It was a privilege to welcome HRH The Duke of Gloucester on his visit to the head office of Open Road. His visit was a tribute to all the staff and volunteers who work so hard for those in need in Essex and North Kent. HRH and Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant for Essex, Mrs Jennifer Tolhurst, saw the work of Open Road staff and volunteers and the challenges they face. HRH’s visit and words of support to the team were a great boost especially after more than a year of providing services against the backdrop of Covid 19.”
Chief Executive Sarah Wright, who also met with The Duke during his visit, said, “We were delighted to host a visit from HRH The Duke of Gloucester, where he met with frontline workers and volunteers from the centres, SOS buses and Essex Appropriate Adult service, along with Lorna Rolfe, Patron, and Nick Alston, Chair of Trustees. It was a very relaxed informal afternoon and HRH heard about all the services we offer in Essex and Kent.”
The Duke’s visit to Colchester included visits to various community organisations including Colchester’s Winnock and Magdalen Almshouses and Colchester art gallery, Firstsite.
HRH The Duke of Gloucester, at Open Road:
L-R Open Road Patron Lorne Rolfe, The Duke of Gloucester and Open Road Chair of Trustees Nick Alston:
L-R Open Road Patron Lorne Rolfe with Lord Lieutenant of Essex Jennifer Tolhurst:
L-R Open Road Staff member Henry Beck meeting with Chair, Nick Alston and The Duke:
