It was a great pleasure to welcome HRH Duchess of Edinburgh to Hale Community & Youth Centre on Wednesday 25th September.

HRH was welcomed by the children of Hale Nursery and Primary Academy and then introduced by Iain Lynch, Farnham Town Clerk, to Norma Corkish, Chair of our Trustees. Together they went into the Waverley Family Centre where HRH was able to chat to parents and play with the children at the Community Centre’s Stay & Play session. From there she went into the Youth Centre where she joined young people from the Ridgeway School in the making of lanterns, a Farnham Town Council community initiative for October Craft month. She also met with some of our Ukrainian refugees who are working with Creative Response, and saw some of their art work.

After meeting some of the Centre’s Trustees and appreciating the community garden, HRH had an opportunity to pop in to see our Seniors and join them in their favourite game of rummikub. It was also an opportunity for a well-deserved cup of tea before being whisked away to meet key volunteer Jenny Colquhoun preparing lunch for our Community Wednesday Café. As our Community Fridge & Cupboard were also open that day, she was shown by another key volunteer Pauline Jacobs all the surplus food that had been collected by us for distribution to the local community.

There was more to come. She met with Tracy Yates, our Youth Lead and Jo Goodhew, Youth Team Leader who were able to share lots about our Youth Facilities, before meeting with members of the Farnham Support Fund.

The finale was the unveiling of a plaque by HRH to commemorate her visit, after which local resident and trustee, Melissa Ellenden gave her a basket of tomatoes grown in the Centre’s Community Garden. As she left us, she was waved off to her next engagement by the children of Hale Nursery and Primary Academy.

It really was a very special day. Hale Community and Youth Centre would like to thank all involved in making the day so special.