Past Master and Patron of Farms for City Children, HRH The Princess Royal, was the guest of honour at a collaborative event with one of our nominated charity’s at a Festival of Learning held at Butchers’ Hall on Tuesday 11 June. Her Royal Highness was accompanied around the Hall by The Master and the charity’s CEO, Donna Edmonds.
A number of WCB Court members and representatives from the WCB Charity & Education Committee all volunteered to help on the day. They joined other liverymen and guests alongside 30 primary school children from Barry in South Wales, Gloucester and London. Staff from the charity’s three farms in Pembrokeshire, Devon and Gloucestershire together with supporters, donors, partners and educators (including Harper Adams University) enjoyed a full afternoon showcasing their work and our Hall at its best. Over the course of 3 hours over 200 guests immersed themselves in some muck and magic.
The children, who have spent time on a farm in the past, demonstrated their felt making, pebble painting and wool spinning techniques in the Great Hall and also enjoyed a Sizzling Sausage Tasting courtesy of three generous suppliers and liverymen. These were Warden Peter Allen (Aubrey Allen), Olly Kohn (The Jolly Hog) and Francesca Wyatt (Porky Whites Ltd) who between them supplied over 1,000 cocktail sausages for the children to taste and the guests to enjoy alongside light refreshments including cake from the 3 farms.. Aubrey Allen also sent along some super sausage rolls too. Attendees were also tasked with some Silly Sizzling Sausage Questions, donning headsets to take a virtual farm tour and dig around in soil!
It was truly wonderful to have so many people in the Hall, speaking with each other and finding out what the Charity is all about. It was a special day for all of us.
Following a small VIP Reception with HRH The Princess Royal on the roof terrace, the event came to a close .
At the end of a unique but highly enjoyable and fun event Her Royal Highness was presented with a Gift Pack containing Sausages by each supplier together with a WCB scarf and our infamous Bulls Head chocolates.
In conclusion, Donna reflected: "The Festival was an immense success. All our guests, VIP Ambassador JB Gill and Patron HRH Princess Royal commented on what a special event it was. The children and the farm teams brought to life in the great hall the incredible work that we deliver on the farms. We were proud to deliver this showcase with our friends at the livery and with all our partners."