News
The Prince of Wales continues his regeneration tour with visits to Burnley and Middleport Pottery
25th October 2011
The Prince of Wales visited one of Britain's most deprived former industrial towns today to see first-hand how his charities have contributed to its regeneration.
His Royal Highness's fourth visit to Burnley, Lancashire, in six years came as an independent report found that no other group of charities could have achieved as much in the town as The Prince's Charities had.
The Prince pledged the support of six of his charities to help take forward the revitalisation of the town during a previous visit in 2008 and an additional six are now working in the area.
The evaluation report, published today by the Cass Business School, at City University London, found that this "Making A Difference" collaborative charity project had made a "significant contribution" to the regeneration of Burnley.
It also concluded that the work done in the town provided a blueprint for similar schemes in other parts of the country.
The report said: "No other group of charities could have played the same role or achieved as much as The Prince's Charities."
Today, The Prince saw some of the results of the collaborative charity project as he met volunteers, beneficiaries and representatives from charities and organisations during the visit to Sandygate Square, Slater's Terrace and Victoria Mill, in the historic Weavers' Triangle area.
The Prince met canal clean-up volunteers before visiting Sandygate Square, which has been transformed by one of The Prince's charities, Business in the Community (BITC).
The report said: "Sandygate Square has been transformed from a 'no-go' area to a pleasant green space after BITC procured employee volunteers from businesses to clear the area."
The Prince then met youngsters who said their lives had been turned around since working with the Prince's Trust.
Chloe Bradshaw, 17, is one of 27 people who have completed the tactical engineering development course, which helps 16- to 19-year-olds learn about engineering through a combination of practical workshops, visits to engineering companies and academic training.
Chloe, who has since joined the Army, said: "I would probably not have got far at all if I hadn't done the Prince's Trust programmes.
"I was going down the wrong route and they've shown me you can actually do stuff. It gave me the self-confidence to join the Army."
She continued: "The programmes are helping the kids in Burnley who don't really know what they're doing."
As The Prince left the square to visit the derelict Slater's Terrace building, he stopped to meet a crowd of people lining the street in the hope of seeing the royal visitor.
Children waving Union flags and clutching bunches of flowers cheered as The Prince approached them and stopped to chat.
In the Victoria Mill, His Royal Highness met building contractors who showed him how they were using traditional skills to restore the large, disused cotton mill and turn it into a university technical college.
The Prince then watched a five-minute performance about the history and future of Burnley by a group of young people from Mid Pennine Arts before making a speech.
His Royal Highness said he was "thrilled" to be back in Burnley and spoke of some of the charities' successes in the town, including helping to reduce crime, criminal damage and anti-social behaviour and helping hundreds of young people not in education, employment or training.
The Prince thanked everyone involved for their "interest, enthusiasm and support" and said: "I hope we can continue to work together in Burnley and this model of working collaboratively could be used in other deprived areas of the country."
He added he believed the Weavers' Triangle area could "become something really spectacular".
The Prince left Burnley after the two-and-a-half-hour visit to go to Middleport pottery in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, which was saved from closure in June this year after His Royal Highness secured £7.5 million funding.
During the visit to Middleport, the home of Burleigh Ware pottery, The Prince launched the restoration and regeneration project.
It is the first time His Royal Highness has visited the factory since The Prince's Regeneration Trust salvaged it from imminent closure in June.
The Trust's involvement saved 50 jobs, maintained the traditional manufacturing skills unique to Middleport, and preserved the historic buildings and machinery.
The restoration project aims to see the Grade II listed building become a hub of traditional craftsmanship that will drive employment in the local area of Burslem.
During the visit, The Prince met staff who had worked at the pottery for decades, some of whom come from families who have worked in Stoke-on-Trent's ceramics industry for generations.
Sue Goulding, a long-serving member of staff, presented The Prince with a jug specially made for him by pottery staff, which had "God Bless The Prince of Wales" written across it.
The Prince toured the site, met workers and viewed the mould collection - the largest in the UK with more than 17,000 items.
He spoke to Burslem resident Gemma Baskeyfield, archives manager for the pottery, who later said: "I told him how amazing it was that The Prince's Regeneration Trust has got involved, its just remarkable that he is here and such a fantastic day for the pottery and Middleport as a whole.
"I really never thought I'd see the day I'd meet The Prince of Wales, I'm so proud."
Karen Heath, pottery decorator, added: "He is so easy to talk to because he knows what he is talking about and is so nice. It has been such a brilliant day, there is such a lovely feeling throughout the whole factory."
Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in the West Midlands Anne Jenkins said: "Middleport Pottery stands as an important reminder of Stoke-of-Trent's proud industrial heritage.
"As the UK's last working Victorian pottery, it's exciting to see plans in progress to restore and transform the site into a centre of excellence for traditional craftsmanship."
The pottery will remain operational throughout the refurbishment and the factory shop will stay open for sales of Burleigh pottery.
Today's visits are part of a two-day programme of engagements in which The Prince is championing regeneration projects.
Yesterday, The Prince visited a steel plant, a retail unit and a young people's charity on Teesside.