Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal visited Pershore College as part of the launch of a research facility at its university centre.
The Princess Royal visited the college and spoke with staff, students, apprentices, employers and local dignitaries at the Warwickshire College and University Centre (WCUC) Agri-Tech Research Centre.
Her Royal Highness was greeted at the national centre for horticulture by Paul West DL, who
introduced Her Royal Highness to WCG's CEO Angela Joyce, President Louise Bennett, Chair of Governors Gill Clipson and other regional dignitaries.
Students and staff from the college lined the paths from the main building to the Agri-Tech Research Centre – which is the heart of agri-tech course delivery for WCUC, the Higher Education arm of WCG.
Professor Roy Kennedy welcomed Her Royal Highness to the research centre and gave a tour of the indoor hydroponic plant-growth chamber, specialist equipment and teaching laboratory.
She then met with apprentices, employers and academic staff in the research centre, before unveiling a plaque to commemorate the visit to the Agri-Tech Research Centre as part of WCUC.
Nicole Higginson, Director at New Leaf Plants, was among the employers present, alongside horticultural apprentice Thomas McDonald, 25, who studies at Pershore College and works at her company.
Nicole said: “It was a super day and I think it reflected really well on the college. As well as having an apprentice here, I’ve done some micropropagation work with the Agri-Tech Centre and it is nice to see it get recognised.”
The visit closed with Holly Lloyd-Cowley, a 20-year old Animal Management student from Pershore, presenting The Princess with a bouquet of flowers which had been carefully crafted by students at WCG’s Moreton Morrell College.
Holly said: “I was very shocked to be chosen to be involved, so I was quite surprised but honoured. She spoke to me about my studies and my plans for the future, I’m planning to continue my studies at Moreton Morrell College and she knew all about that college. Princess Anne is my mum’s favourite royal, so I can’t wait to get home and tell her all about the day.”
Josh Egan-Wyer, Head of Horticulture, presented Her Royal Highness with a hamper of produce created on site at Pershore College, including Pershore Press juice, before she departed.
Eline Tielbeke, 21, was one of the students watching the proceedings. She is from the Netherlands and is studying Veterinary Nursing for four weeks at Pershore College on international placement from the reputable Aeres MBO Barneveld school.
She said: “I was very excited to see Princess Anne and I’ve been looking forward to it ever since we were told. In the Netherlands, we don’t have Royals that have such a strong interest in agriculture and animals, so that is what I love about her. The history of the royal family is very rich and that really interests me.”
Angela Joyce added: “It was an honour to be able to welcome The Princess Royal to Pershore College.
“We knew that Her Royal Highness had an interest in horticulture and land-based industries and that was clear from the conversations she had during her visit.
“She was particularly interested in the technology and research being carried out in the Agri-Tech Research Centre and spoke at length with Roy about the strides being made in research projects at the facility.
“We would like to thank Her Royal Highness for visiting us and hope we left a lasting impression with some of the incredible work we are doing here at Pershore College and WCUC.”
To find out more about courses at WCUC visit www.wcuc.ac.uk.
Photo caption: HRH The Princess Royal unveils a plaque commemorating her visit, alongside Professor Roy Kennedy and Agri-Tech Research Assistant Anjana Patel.