Shrewsbury students join TV show build with Nick Knowles
The BBC's DIY SOS team has completed work on its biggest build to date – helped by students and staff from Shrewsbury College and some VIPs.
A group of painting and decorating students from the college in London Road along with their tutor, Barry Mason, spent the week on the BBC One's 'DIY SOS: The Big Build Veterans' Special' helping to transform eight houses in east Manchester – and were thrilled when HRH Princes William and Harry came along to help out.
The princes spent a few hours on site. Painting and decorating student Amanda Conner was standing by the princes when they recorded the opening of the show and spoke to Prince William.
She said: "It was a shock meeting Prince William, we didn't know they were going to be visiting the site. As I was walking past, the prince stopped me and said: 'We need more women in construction'. It was definitely a boost having them both on site that day."
Barry said: "I took a group of about 10 students and apprentices from the construction department, including painters and decorators, plumbers and maintenance students.
The work was tough, but it was definitely worth the long hours."
During the two one-hour shows, due to be screened on BBC One on October 14 and 21 at 9pm, viewers will see eight of the street's empty homes refurbished to create two larger adapted residential homes for veterans and their families, one standard size property for a veteran and a veteran support and advice centre.
