Duke of Kent sees the future in Rotherham

A ROYAL visitor came to Rotherham this week to get a glimpse of the future.

HRH The Duke of Kent, visited the town’s Advanced Manufacturing Park’s Technology Centre and he told Mayor Cllr Shaukat Ali after seeing a range of world-beating companies: “Rotherham is leading the way.”

He met some of centre’s innovative tenants and got an insight into how they are developing future technologies. ranging from hydrogen-generated eco-power to ways of keeping power sources operating longer and better.

He also saw the future in a very different shape–that of skeleton-bobsleds and sled blades that could help local potential Olympians reach the medal rostrum.

That was at Bromley Technologies, launched by two brothers pushing the boundaries of high-speed bob-skeleton racing- Richard Bromley and brother Kristan.

Kristan is current world champion. His fiancée, Shelley Rudman, won silver for Britain at the last Winter Olympics. Their partner-on-ice Nicola Minichiello won the World Championship in the two-woman bobsleigh last February.

All three are contenders for places in Great Britain's team for February's Winter Olympics.