28 Sep Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal visits Shropshire
Earlier this month, we were delighted to welcome Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal to Shrewsbury for a morning with Men’s Sheds and West Mercia Search and Rescue, both hosted at the West Midlands Showground in Shrewsbury.
During her time with Men’s Shed, Her Royal Highness was shown how the Shed is used, she met Katey Evans, and heard about how she uses her professional expertise as a Personalised Cancer Care Navigator in her voluntary role with the Shed; she also described how the project brings people together.
She was shown the kitchen, where free food is prepared, before touring the wood and metal working, greenhouse and horticultural areas. She spoke warmly with the Shedders about the work they were doing, their reasons for becoming a Shedder, and what they personally gained from their involvement; finally unveiling a plaque to mark the special occasion.
Her Royal Highness then moved to the riverbank where she met members of the West Mercia Search and ResCue charity, Fire Service and Police partners, charity ambassadors with personal experience of loss, and corporate sponsors who support with website, vehicle maintenance and vital funding. She was escorted to the control vehicle where team members explained the detailed planning behind every search using the day’s demonstration and then met land search volunteers, dog handlers and drone operators before focussing on the water-based operations from the riverbank. The demonstration continued with a simulated search and recovery operation showcasing the skills of the kayak and boat teams.
Men’s Shed
West Mercia Search & Rescue
HRH The Princess Royal, visited the Fordhall Community Land Initiative on Thursday, 24 September 2026 to celebrate their 20th anniversary as custodians of England’s first community-owned farm and to hear about the Initiatives plans to welcome in a further 1,000 community shareholders. HRH was received by Deputy Lieutenant of Shropshire, Mr Martin Stevens. Fordhall Farm were delighted to share the farm with The Princess, from their community garden and River Friendly Farming projects to the unveiling of a plaque celebrating our 20th year of the Fordhall Community Land Initiative. At the heart of the visit was the working organic farm and its connections to the community.
The tour began in one of the farm’s many eco-buildings, the Straw Lodge, a space built for the community, by the community. HRH met members of the Hollins family and the Board within the Straw Lodge. She then met the Fordhall Events Catering team, run by tenant farmer Ben Hollins. After starting on the farmers’ markets, he now caters across the country and employs close to 150 local people. HRH was then given a tour of the Community Garden and the River Friendly Farming Projects, including the Pond Dipping Platform and the Cow Bathing Pool. At the end of the visit, many of the farms’ founders and supporters gathered outside Arthur’s Farm Kitchen, where The Princess unveiled a plaque to commemorate the farm’s 20 years of community-ownership.
