Eight Antiguan and Barbudan candidates selected to participate in The King’s Foundation Building Crafts Programme in the United Kingdom were honoured on Thursday evening at a cocktail reception hosted by Their Excellencies Sir Rodney Williams, Governor General of Antigua and Barbuda, and Lady Williams at Galley Bay Hotel.
The reception, held in partnership with the Antigua and Barbuda College of Advanced Studies (ABCAS) and with the generous support of Galley Bay Hotel, recognised the achievement of the successful candidates and marked an important milestone ahead of their departure to the United Kingdom.
Addressing the gathering, His Excellency Sir Rodney Williams extended congratulations to the candidates and underscored the national significance of the opportunity.
“This programme represents far more than individual advancement,” His Excellency remarked.
“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.”
The Governor General also encouraged the candidates to approach the programme with dedication and a sense of purpose, noting that the knowledge and experience gained would serve both present and future generations.
The King’s Foundation, founded by His Majesty King Charles III in 1990, works 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, offers 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 this 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 also 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.
The reception at Galley Bay Hotel provided an opportunity for the candidates to be formally recognised and encouraged before embarking on their studies, and reflected the continued commitment of Their Excellencies to initiatives that promote education, heritage preservation, and national development.
Their Excellencies expressed sincere appreciation to the Antigua and Barbuda College of Advanced Studies, 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.