Sun shine and sailing for Princess Anne's visit (From Falmouth Packet)

Sun shine and sailing for Princess Anne's visit

6:04pm Tuesday 29th May 2007

• Print
• Email
• Share

Warm spring sunshine caused the waters of Helford Passage to sparkle this afternoon, as Princess Anne enjoyed an afternoon of sailing displays courtesy of the Helford River Children's Sailing Trust.

Defying the dreary weather forecasts, 34 pupils from primary schools on the Lizard Peninsula and also the Helston and Falmouth areas put on a show for the Princess, as she chatted with their head teachers.

Her host for the afternoon was Sailing Trust founder John Green. Began ten years ago with the aim of building children's confidence through sailing, the project also works with children with special needs, and last year was presented with The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service.

Mr Green said: "Participants all share a belonging, loyalty and fellowship - a wellbeing that is fast disappearing.

"For many it is their first opportunity in life to savour the delights of our river."

He added that when he first set up the trust, he feared that they would be forced to finish due to rules and regulations.

However, following The Queen's Award and now the visit from Princess Anne, he hoped the project would be allowed to continue by the "inspectors of nonsense whose job it is to close us down."

Wearing a dark green skirt and jacket, red polo neck jumper and sunglasses, Princess Anne chatted comfortably with both the instructors and schoolteachers involved in the project, as well as some of the pupils themselves.

Taking part in the display off the private beach of Pedn Billy, belonging to Dr Thomas Bligh and his wife Nigel, were pupils from Boskenwyn, Constantine, Coverack, Cury, Garras, Grade Ruan, Mabe, Manaccan, Mawnan, Sithney, Trannack and Wendron schools.

At the end of her visit, the Princess was presented with a selection of cheeses from Menallack Farm, Treverva, by Cury Primary School pupils Charlotte Nichols and Joe Tarling.

Princess Anne described that the fact the trust's achievements had finally been recognised as "a great relief."

Referring to Mr Green, she playfully added that it had taken an "obstinate" person to persevere with the project - prompting much laughter from those gathered, including Mr Green himself.

To see more pictures from the visit click here

• Print
• Email
• Share