Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal visited Pershore College for the launch of its new research facility.
Princess Anne visited spoke with staff, students, and employers and local dignitaries as she toured the new Agri-Tech Research Centre.
Her Royal Highness was greeted at the national centre for horticulture by Paul West DL, who introduced her to Warwickshire College Group's CEO Angela Joyce, President Louise Bennett, Chair of Governors Gill Clipson and other regional dignitaries.
Ms Joyce said: “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.
“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.”
READ MORE: Big smiles as staff at Worcester business meet the Princess Royal
Students and staff from the college lined the paths from the main building to the Agri-Tech Research Centre, the heart of agri-tech course by Warwickshire College and University Centre, 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.
Nicole Higginson, Director at New Leaf Plants, was among the employers present.
She 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 crafted by students at WCG’s Moreton Morrell College.
She 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.”
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Josh Egan-Wyer, head of horticulture, presented Her Royal Highness with a hamper of produce created on-site at Pershore College before she departed.
One of the students watching the proceedings was 21-year-old Eline Tielbeke from the Netherlands who is studying veterinary nursing on international placement from 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.”
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