Support for charities means a double visit for the Princess Royal

Princess Anne came to Lancashire for a tour of one of Britain’s oldest schools and was shown the First World War VCs won by two former pupils.

The Princess Royal visited Stonyhurst College at Hurst Green in her capacity as as Patron of the Woodland Trust’s First World War Centenary Woods Project. She planted a tree in the grounds alongside the 301 oak saplings planted by the College’s Combined Cadet Force.

Each tree represents a serviceman who died in the First World War and other conflicts. More than 280 of those commemorated had attended Stonyhurst College, and 18 were from Hurst Green.

The Princess met pupils and staff, including the head boy and girl, Victor Keunen and Olivia Haworth, and she was presented with a painting of Stonyhurst College. Headmaster Andrew Johnson said: ‘It has been a tremendous day for Stonyhurst, the CCF and the Woodland Trust.’

Her support for several charities meant the Stonyhurst visit was the second trip to Lancashire in less than a month.

During an earlier visit to the region she officially opened a Redrow housing development at Lucas Green in Whittle-le-Woods in her role as President of the Carers’ Trust.

As well as touring the houses to see how they can be used to help care for a dependent family member she also met local people who combine looking after a loved one with working full-time. These included two Redrow employees, site manager Steve Rimmer and sales consultant Paul Fishwick.

Receiving a £10,000 donation to Carers’ Trust – money raised as part of Redrow’s 40th anniversary charity challenge - the Princess thanked the company for its support over many years.

Later that day the Princess was guest of honour at a 50th anniversary celebration by the Preston branch of Save the Children.

The lunch, at the Gibbon Bridge Hotel in Chipping, was attended by 124 volunteers and supporters from across the north west.

The Preston branch was set up to help children suffering in the Vietnam War. Branch secretary Frances Seth said: ‘We are delighted Her Royal Highness, President of Save the Children since 1970, came along to thank the volunteers and supporters.’