HRH The Duchess of Cambridge visits The Brink, Liverpool

14 February 2012

Valentine’s Day was a treat for clients, staff, customers and local business people as Action on Addiction’s Patron, HRH The Duchess of Cambridge, Catherine Middleton, paid a visit to The Brink in Liverpool.

The Brink is an alcohol-free bar in Liverpool’s city centre run by Action on Addiction as a social enterprise.

The Duchess arrived at the dry bar in Parr Street at 11am and spent over an hour and a half meeting and greeting people. She was met at the door by a civic party, including Liverpool’s Lord Lieutenant and Lord Mayor, and then was introduced to Action on Addiction’s Chief Executive, Nick Barton, and Head of Service at SHARP Liverpool, Jacquie Johnston Lynch, who had the original idea of opening the no-alcohol bar, which is popular with all the general public, not just customers in recovery from drug and alcohol misuse.

Her Royal Highness then went on to meet SHARP Liverpool and Brink staff, and went behind the bar to try a smoothie named ‘The Duchess’ in her honour.

While guests enjoyed canapés, such as mini scouse, made by Head Chef, Tom Gill and his team, the Duchess had a private meeting with ex clients of SHARP Liverpool and the Moving Parents and Children Together (M-PACT) programme, who discussed their individual experiences with her.

When she returned to the main room, The Duchess looked visibly moved as Rachel told her poignant life story and the Raucous Caucus Recovery Chorus choir sang ‘Wings of a Dove’.

As she was leaving, 8 year old Jaqson, presented her with a Valentine’s Card saying ‘I love you’, and a posy of red Valentine’s roses. The choir could be heard singing a lament with the words ‘Away Away’ as she greeted members of the public and continued on to her next appointment. The street was lined with people waving flags and the world’s press.

A truly memorable day for all concerned – especially Jaqson, who featured in almost every national newspaper – and even made it into online news features as far as Australia!

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