Ladock farm welcomes Duke of Kent

3:33pm Thursday 8th May 2008

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Woodland Valley Farm was blessed with glorious sunshine today as school children, local dignitaries and residents of Ladock welcomed HRH The Duke of Kent to its official opening.

The Duke planted a tree and unveiled a plaque to mark the launch of the Countryside Classroom - an education centre with residential units where schools, colleges and groups can learn about organic food and farming.

Pupils from Ladock Primary School, Year Seven students from Penryn Community College and GSCE music candidates from Brannel School demonstrated the facilities at Woodland Valley while the HRH The Duke enjoyed a tour.

He was also presented with a basket of organic produce from Woodland Valley by Jackie Jones, the five-year-old daughter of Chris and Janet Jones, who own the farm.

Mr Jones said: "It's been a most exciting day and the children, as well as The Duke, have been our star guests.

"We advocate that the best learning is done outside the classroom, and so we have invited several school representatives here today to see what we're about.

"The Duke was very interested in what we have to offer and our efforts to ensure that children, their parents and teachers learn about where our food comes from."

Ladock pupils showed off their green fingers in the kitchen garden, planting potatoes and seeds. They also demonstrated the sun clock - the centrepiece of the courtyard at Woodland Valley.

Matthew, aged 11, said: "I explained to The Duke how the sun dial works and he thought it was interesting. I'd like to come back because I like being outside and learning how to build things."

Meanwhile, Penryn Community College enjoyed a lesson in survival techniques with outdoor training specialist Capt Tony "Spanner" Manley from Footsteps of Discovery.

Alexandra Anthony, aged 12, said: "I've had fun learning how to make a fire with different tools and learning how to tie ropes. It's been really good fun and a great experience."

Brannel School's Year Ten GSCE music students performed a piece of music they had composed on the Gamalan, a percussion instrument played as a group.

Laura Baron, aged 15, said: "The Duke said we must be talented students because we've not been playing long and we were playing complicated rhythms. He said he was proud to see younger people still interested in cultural traditions and trying new things."

Jonathan Balsdon, also 15, said: "I've never met royalty before so it has been really nice to be given the chance."

Woodland Valley's Countryside Classroom was built with part funding through Business Link Devon and Cornwall and Objective One, with the first phase of the development completed in June 2007.

It offers residential accommodation plus conferencing facilities for school, college and corporate groups. For more information please got to www.woodlandvalley.co.uk.