News

News

The Duchess opens a centre for young people suffering from rheumatic diseases and a bakery in the South West

5th February 2008

The Duchess of Cornwall opened a family bakery and a centre for young people suffering from rheumatic diseases today during a day of engagements in the South West.

For her first engagement of the day, The Duchess of Cornwall visited The Royal National Hospital For Rheumatic Diseases, in Bath, Somerset, where she opened a pioneering treatment centre for young people.

The newly-built Younger Persons Neuro-Rehabilitation Unit provides specialist services for rheumatology, neuro-rehabilitation, pain management and chronic fatigue syndrome.

The Duchess, who is Patron of The Royal National Hospital For Rheumatic Diseases, was welcomed in the hospital foyer by Bath and North East Somerset councillor Ian Dewey, High Sheriff of Somerset David Medlock, the Mayor of Bath Sharon Ball and Superintendent Geoff Spicer, of Avon and Somerset Constabulary.

After meeting hospital chairman Brian Joakim, chief executive Nicola Carmichael and rheumatology consultant Dr Ashok Balla, The Duchess was taken to a day room where she met three young patients, who are all treated at the hospital.

Laura Jackson, 16, from Trowbridge, suffers from hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia, an internal bleeding condition which causes her severe pain.

The sixth-form pupil said: "The Duchess asked me why I was here and I told her about my condition.

"I told her about a three-week course at the hospital for adolescents which I attend.

"I was quite nervous but it was a lovely experience to meet her."

Six-year-old Lydia Hartley and two-year-old Emily Grant are both treated at the hospital for arthritis.

Lydia's father Grant Hartley said: "I chatted to The Duchess about Lydia and her condition. It affects about one in 1,000 children so it's not too uncommon.

"The Duchess seemed very interested and she was very polite."

Following a private tour of the new young persons unit, The Duchess met staff and patients in the physiotherapy gymnasium.

She then made her way to another day room in the 18th Century hospital to meet staff and patients, before a presentation was made and The Duchess unveiled a commemorative plaque.

Dr Esther Crawley, a paediatric consultant at the new unit, said Her Royal Highness’s visit highlighted the excellent work done at the hospital.

She said: "Her visit really highlights the amazing results we've had here at the hospital.

"We've had children come to us unable to walk or talk and in a matter of weeks - they're walking and talking again.

"It's great for The Duchess to come here and give us some recognition."

Presenting the veiled plaque, hospital chairman Brian Joakim said: "Your Royal Highness, on behalf of the hospital a very big thank you for giving us your time to come and visit us today."

Unveiling the plaque, The Duchess said: "Everyone is very positive and I hope I can return again. It's my local city so any excuse to get back - I'm here!"

The Duchess finished her visit by signing a visitor book.

For the second engagement of the day, Her Royal Highness visited Marshfield Bakery in by owners Lynne and Paul White of Marshfield Bakery, near Dyrham in Wiltshire, where she met staff and even tried her hand at preparing a batch of biscuits, before opening the bakery's new premises.

Marshfield Bakery is a family run business which has recently moved from its original premises in a small cottage to a renovated barn.

All ingredients are locally sourced, and still follow the recipes devised by Lynne White, co-founder of the bakery.

The Duchess was shown the hand-made techniques used at the warehouse to produce fruitcake, biscuits, cake and shortbread.

Food supervisors Kay Ralph and Lil Keasey gave The Duchess a hands-on lesson on preparing Easter biscuits. The Duchess took up a biscuit-cutter and created a small number from the dough prepared by the staff earlier in the morning.

Mrs Ralph, from Badminton, Wiltshire, said: "She was very good - we're worried she's after our jobs.

"She was a lovely lady and put us all at ease. We had a chat about what we do here at the bakery and where we're from."

Sisters Sarah and Katherine Tudgay, from Trowbridge, both make shortbread mix at the bakery.

Sarah, 19, said: "I took her through what I did for my job, she was very nice and polite.

"I saw her preparing the biscuits, she was very good. Perhaps she could come and work for us."

Her Royal Highness was welcomed by owners Lynne and Paul White, and their children Ben and Rebecca, who both work for the company.

The Whites were accompanied by Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire, Henry Elwes, and High Sheriff of Gloucestershire Jonathan Carr.

The Duchess was handed a white hat and white net jacket to wear over her knee-length turquoise coat before she headed into the food-preparation area.

The bakery, which was started in 1984 by Mr and Mrs White, recently moved to its current premises from a smaller site in Marshfield, Wiltshire.

Marshfield Bakery, which uses locally sourced ingredients, is a member of the Taste of the West campaign of which The Prince of Wales is Patron. The campaign aims to promote local produce and small businesses in the South West.

Mr White said he was thrilled The Duchess took up his offer to open the bakery.

He said: "It's been an absolutely brilliant day. I'm a massive fan of The Duchess.

"We chatted about everything from field sports to the bakery itself.

"The Duchess and her husband are both big champions of local economy. I was born and bred in the countryside so it's important for me to promote smaller businesses.

"She was very casual and put everyone at ease. All the staff were very excited to have her visit.

"I saw her preparing the biscuits. I offered her a job - but I doubt she'll take it."

The Duchess toured the 7,000 sq ft bakery warehouse for about 30 minutes and met the 15 full time staff who work there.

The Duchess witnessed shortbread mix being prepared, biscuits being cut, strawberry shortbread passing through a packing machine and cookies packaged by hand.

The Duchess returned to the bakery reception where she unveiled a plaque in front of the family, bakery staff and civic members.

Rebecca White, 26, works for her parents' business on a part time basis and has just started her own hand-made handbag business.

She said: "I mentioned my own business to The Duchess and she told me she liked handbags.

"I was really nervous, but she was lovely."

Finally, The Duchess joined the family and staff in the bakery reception for a cup of tea and a selection of Marshfield shortbread.

Click here to read more about The Duchess's patronages.

---