Care home resident looks back on times Prince Phillip visited clubhouse during Cowes week

A 94-year-old care home resident said it was "brilliant to be back” when he visited the clubhouse of the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes where he worked as head chef and reminisced about meeting Prince Phillip during Cowes week.

Ernest ‘Bill’ Hill, resident at one of Island Healthcare’s homes on the Isle of Wight, visited the clubhouse where he worked for 47 years, rising to head chef in the kitchens.

His visit brought back memories for Mr Hill as he recalled some of the high-profile guests he had interacted with over the years, including Prince Phillip and Lord Mountbatten

Mr Hill said: "Prince Phillip used to come down to the kitchen, he always came on a Thursday during Cowes week.

“Lord Mountbatten always bought his friend David with him and always had a police officer on his motorbike outside. The police officer once stopped me and charged me £30 for speeding, so I said to him, don’t you expect any more breakfast from me.”

With National Apprenticeship Week taking place from the 7th to 13th February, the visit to the clubhouse was planned by the team at Island Healthcare who were inspired to take some of the residents out to former workplaces to help generate positive memories.

Upon arrival, Mr Hill was warmly greeted by the current head chef, Paul, who, following a spot of tea and cake in the Lady’s Dining room, showed Mr Hill around, taking him down to the kitchens and talking him through the changes since he’d left, while Mr Hill reminisced on the things that had stayed the same.

During the tour, Mr Hill was taken aback by how high-tech the place had become and didn’t recognise any of the latest equipment – something that shows how professional kitchens have progressed over the years.

Mr Hill said: “It was brilliant to go back – but the place has changed so much! It’s great to know that it’s thriving though and that my hard work over the years hasn’t gone to waste.”

'Apprenticeships are a fantastic way of learning your trade'

The Royal Yacht Squadron is a historic yacht club that was established in 1826, the year of its first regatta.

Mr Hill started working in the clubhouse as an apprentice chef aged 16 in 1944. When Mr Hill was heading up the kitchen team, they had two chefs and a part time kitchen porter, with two more joining during the peak time of Cowes Week.

Today, there are four full time chefs during the winter months, which rises to 22 kitchen staff during the height of summer, something that underlines the rise in demand for the venue’s services.

Ian Bennett, managing director of Island Healthcare, who accompanied him on the tour, said: “It was wonderful seeing Bill back in his old stomping ground. Although much of the kitchen equipment had changed, he still knew his way around and it was great to see it sparking so many happy memories. Having put so many years of hard work into the place, he was delighted to see that it’s gone from strength to strength.”

The trips have been inspired by the recent launch of Island Healthcare’s own apprenticeship scheme, which welcomes people into a career in care.

Mr Bennett said: “Apprenticeships are a fantastic way of learning your trade, as they see you working under the supervision of experts, whilst enjoying hands on experience and learning theory alongside it too.

"Bill is an excellent example of how a good apprenticeship can set you up for life, and we’re hoping our own programme will serve to do the same, as we welcome people onto an enormously rewarding career path.”

For more information about Island Healthcare, please visit https://islandhealthcare.co.uk/ while those interested in an apprenticeship or other job roles can visit https://islandhealthcare.co.uk/jobs/apprenticeship/