'His legacy will forever be a part of our history' says head of Myerscough as college remembers royal visit by Prince Philip and Her Majesty the Queen

Myerscough College is today remembering its visit from Her Majesty the Queen, accompanied by Prince Philip over 20 years ago, after it was announced the Duke passed away this morning.
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Her Majesty The Queen accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh, visited Myerscough on July 23 1999 to officially unveil what was at the time, the college's newest building, the Fitzherbert-Brockholes Building.

The Fitzherbert-Brockholes building cost £2.5million to construct and is a learning resources centre, which still includes the College’s main library, as well as an I.T centre and the campus’s main reception.

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And during the visit, The Duke toured the first floor and saw demonstrations by students working in each of the programme areas, including golf, dog grooming and trout fishing, and a demonstration on the use of information technology.

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Paying tribute to Prince Philip, who passed away this morning, April 9, Alison Robinson, Chief Executive and Principal said: ‘’Everyone at Myerscough College and University Centre is very sad to learn of the passing of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

‘’We were honoured to welcome the Duke to our main Bilsborrow campus back in 1999, for the official opening of our Fitzherbert-Brockholes Building, alongside Her Majesty. the Queen.

‘’Staff and students alike were amazed by the Duke’s generosity of time, genuine interest and good humour throughout the visit, the legacy of which will forever be part of Myerscough’s history.

The Queen and Prince Philip visited Myerscough College in 1999The Queen and Prince Philip visited Myerscough College in 1999
The Queen and Prince Philip visited Myerscough College in 1999
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‘’We join the Royal Family and people around the world in mourning his loss and celebrating his many decades of public service.’’

Jon Humfrey is Myerscough’s Library and Learning Resources Manager, and back then was part of the team that designed and built the ground floor of the new building.

Reminiscing, he spoke of how the day was one of the main highlights of his career.

He said: ‘’It was a great day. When I trained to become a Chartered Librarian and took my first professional post here at Myerscough, I had no idea that it would lead to being able to participate in the design and build of a brand new library, but also to have the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh come and open it along with the rest of the building.

Alison Robinson, Chief Executive and Principal at Myerscough CollegeAlison Robinson, Chief Executive and Principal at Myerscough College
Alison Robinson, Chief Executive and Principal at Myerscough College
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‘’I would certainly say it is still one of the main highlights of my career which I will take long into retirement in years to come.

‘’The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh arrived by car and came and stood on a small platform near one of the pillars at the front of the library just the other side of the service desk and the library staff were allowed to stand behind the desk, so we got an excellent view of the unveiling of the plaque.

‘’After the opening ceremony in the library, the Royal party went onto the upper floors of the FHB building where there were displays from various departments, students, teaching staff, etc. The Duke of Edinburgh was very keen on meeting everyone and kept darting off to see cleaners and students, much to the consternation of his security!’’

During the Royal couple's two-day tour to Lancashire, they also visited Morecambe, where they unveiled a statue comedian, Eric Morecambe.

The couple officially unveiled the college's new development in 1999The couple officially unveiled the college's new development in 1999
The couple officially unveiled the college's new development in 1999
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They also visited Lancashire on numerous other occasions, including to Blackpool's Grand Theatre and during their Royal Tour of Lancashire in 1955.

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