Duke visits museum
Duke of Gloucester presents volunteer with medal
HINCKLEY and District Museum was honoured by a visit from His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester.
The visit had been planned for months and was eagerly anticipated by everyone who supports the museum.
The weather held fair as the Duke arrived in the early part of the afternoon for a tour of the museum to see all the new exhibits for this season and to be introduced to the volunteers who run the museum and put the displays together.
The visit marked 21 years since the museum’s official opening in 1997 which was coincidentally opened by the Duchess of Gloucester.
His Royal Highness was accompanied by the Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire, Lady Gretton and spent 50 minutes being shown around the museum.
The visit culminated in His Royal Highness presenting one of the museum volunteers, Mr Gregory Drozdz, with his British Empire Medal that he was awarded in the 2018 New Year’s Honours list.
Mrs Ann Crabtree, Museum Chairman said: “It was a wonderful visit and the Duke showed genuine interest in all around him and spoke to many of the volunteers.
“He was very keen on our Richard III display and proved to be very knowledgeable about the battle.”
The Lord Lieutenant read out a citation for Mr Drozdz’s award, who was then presented with his medal for over 30 years service to the community in Hinckley, in many capacities.
The Duke then posed for photographs with Mr Drozdz and his family.
Mr Drozdz was accompanied by his wife Margaret, his daughter Ruth, his Aunt, Mrs Beryl Cassell and her escort Mr Martin Cassell.
Gregory Drozdz said: “It was an honour and a privilege to be presented with this award.
“The Duke was very interested in my Polish ancestry and we had an interesting discussion about how my father came to this part of the world and our subsequent history.”
Mrs Crabtree added: “We had a delightful letter back from His Royal Highness thanking us for our hospitality and the visit.”