A Royal Visit from Hrh Prince of Wales

Mike Theodoulou: This building behind me was funded by BIG. And it was funded through People’s Millions which makes it quite interesting because it’s the public that voted for it. And today His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales is visiting this project and everybody is really excited about that. His visit does motivate people and it’s a great way of showing thank you to everybody involved in good projects like this. And the Big Lottery is very pleased to be associated with it. Bob Mattingly: It’s such a sense of achievement. It really is. I mean not just in terms of the physical space which the volunteers have created but more thinking back, what’s equally important is the way in which we did it. The ethos behind the build about looking at what people could do rather than what they couldn’t and getting people from all walks of the community regardless or their experience or their ability. But you couldn’t think of a more worthwhile cause could you? Absolutely brilliant. Yeah! Not only has it created a great space for our community organization, but people gain valuable new skills, friendship along the way. Phil Budd: It’s gone amazingly well. It’s been so valuable to the volunteers and the staff who worked so hard at the farm to see their efforts appreciated by His Royal Highness. We had a chance to say that being supported through the Jubilee People’s Millions; that the 60,000 pounds we won through that last year, had been spent on employing a builder who worked alongside our volunteers to build; the new café, the training kitchen, the new offices, the administration office, and a new disabled toilet. The day has ended with the Prince unveiling a plaque to commemorate his visit, so that everybody who visits the farm will know that we were visited by His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales.