Prince Andrew officially opens new Goodricke College

Prince Andrew officially opened the new Goodricke college site on Heslington East in a relatively drama free ceremony this morning.

The Duke of York arrived at the Hes East based college at 10:30 after numerous security checks involving sniffer dogs going into students’ rooms and a multitude of police and special branch sweeps of the area.

After a tour around one flat in the college, during which he was introduced to a number of students with whom he discussed the merits of Facebook, the prince was taken into the college’s GCR where he was welcomed with speeches from Goodricke Provost Jane Clarbour and University Vice-Chancellor Brian Cantor and treated to a performance of “Don’t it make my brown eyes blue” by the York University’s Glee Singers.

Clarbour started by issuing a “heartfelt thank you” to those who had helped to get Goodricke get over to Hes East as well as saying that it was a “great privilege” to be able to welcome the Prince to the college.

Brian Cantor commended Goodricke on its “famous, almost infamous, college spirit” and said it was a pleasure to recognise the college as a “pioneer of Heslington East.”

In his speech, the prince praised the collegiate system and told a crowd of distinguished guests that he hope York can be “not just one of the best but getting towards the best” university in the country.

“This university is expanding into the 21st Century” the Prince said. “It is going to be a place of innovation for young people who will be the innovators and political leaders of tomorrow.”

He went on to say: “I hope that many more students will go onto enjoy their experiences and that those who teach them will also be able to have fun here in Goodricke.”

The Right Honourable Lord Mayor of York, John Galvin, who was also in attendance said: “This is an extremely important day for York University and a fitting tribute to all the hard work and planning of all those who helped to bring this vision for Heslington East to fruition.”

Students who met the prince said that they were shocked when he appeared to be so down to earth.

One student from Goodricke, whose flat Andrew had visited, told Vision: “He seemed very interested in what we had to say” she said adding: “he wasn’t scary but was very authoritative and knew how to hold a room.”

College Chair Tim Ellis remarked: “there were a few shocked faces in the room when somebody mentioned Facebook rape but the Prince took it in his stride. He seemed impressed with our brilliant facilities – it’s good that they got the recognition that they deserve.”

The visit, however, did not gain everybody’s support and some students were annoyed by the fact that some facilities on Hes East, such as their only public printer and entire GCR, had been closed off for three days.

One student who wanted to be left anonymous said: “The amount of time and effort that it has taken for him to arrive and walk around for an hour is ridiculous.”

Another student went a step further in expressing his lack of support for the Prince’s visit by choosing to put a sign saying “F*CK OFF ANDREW” in his window for the Prince to see as he was given a tour of the college.

Luckily for organisers, the Prince did not see the sign and it was swiftly taken care of before he came back around.

The student was then reportedly questioned by police although his motives for putting up the sign still remain unclear.

All photos on this page by Daniel Gilks