News

News

TRH continue their annual summer tour of Wales

6th June 2007

The Prince of Wales opened a new police science institute today on the second day of Their Royal Highnesses's annual tour of Wales.

His Royal Highness opened The Universities Police Science Institute at the University of Glamorgan.

The police science institute at Treforest, near Pontypridd, is a collaboration between South Wales Police, Cardiff University, and the University of Glamorgan and is the first of its kind in the UK, integrating police research, policy and operations.

The Prince was greeted at the institute by more than a hundred children from the local St Michael's Primary School waving Welsh and Union flags.

Part of the tour, largely conducted by South Wales Police Chief Constable Barbara Wilding, included a visit to a classroom where students were shown a video simulating a response to a terrorist threat at a train station.

The Prince also took an interest in how the students managed to keep abreast of changes in legislation governing the work of the British police.

Outside the building His Royal Highness was shown a demonstration of a police stop and search before seeing a group of students forensically examining two cars used in an "armed robbery."

After meeting The Prince, first year Police Science degree student Lee Wells said: "He was asking what evidence I got and how I packaged it and documented it and sent it off.

"He asked me if I wanted to go into the police afterwards and he seemed really interested."

After the demonstration, The Prince walked to meet a group of 100 or so people who had gathered to see him.

After speaking with some of the people for a few minutes, he left to a warm round of applause.

Among the crowd was Julie Elkayekh, from Aberdare, south Wales, who said: "I've seen him a couple of times before. He came to Aberdare in 1972 when I was 13 to open a swimming pool.

"We've come out to support him because I think he does a lot for the area and this is good for the image of the university."

Back inside the building, The Prince made a short speech.

He said:  "If I may say, I'm immensely grateful to all those who have given up their precious studying to explain to me a little bit about what the course consists of," he said.

"I apologise to those who have had their time interrupted and I hope it doesn't cause problems when it comes to exams in July."

He added: "I can well understand what different and difficult challenges all police officers face in today's world.

"To have this kind of professional preparation is of enormous importance and increasingly so."

The Prince then went to visit Groundwork Merthyr and Rhondda Cynon Taff's specialist training centre at Fedw Hir, Llwydcoed, near Aberdare, south Wales.

The organisation is celebrating 21 years of environmental regeneration in the south Wales valleys.

At the centre he saw a sustainable woodland area, some dry stone walling and a joinery shop using locally supplied timber.

While looking around the joinery shop, The Prince stopped to talk to local television cameraman Jeremy Cross about coracle building.

He also spoke to members of the Creative Vision Group, a charitable DVD production company who work in the community and create short films about change and regeneration.

Mervyn Smith, the General Manager of Creative Vision, said: "The Prince was very informative and knew a lot about what was going on."

Afterwards The Prince met with members of the Royal Crescent Allotment Association of nearby village Penydarren.

The association recently built a series of elevated allotment plots for disabled gardeners thanks to a grant from Groundwork.

John Williams, Chairman of the Association, said: "He is clearly into his organic gardening and was very interested in what we are doing."

A short time later, The Prince bought a raffle ticket from the Ynysowen Carnival Committee.

Graham Walmsley, Chairman of the Committee, said: "I asked him if he wanted to enter our raffle as the prize was a bottle of 'Royal' brandy.

“We had a good laugh with him and a joke. He was very nice."

The Prince also chatted and posed for a picture with members of the Trelewis Primary School eco-club.

Nicole Spriggs, nine, said: "It was brilliant meeting him. When we go back to school we are going to tell everybody what we've done. It's the best day we've had.... much better than a school trip."

Inside a marquee the Trelewis Male Voice choir sang for The Prince before he made a speech praising the organisation.

"It has been fascinating to hear about the community work and the remarkable genius way in which you have managed to raise all the money required," he said.

Before His Royal Highness pulled a curtain off to reveal an unusual banner made to commemorate 21 years of Groundwork in Merthyr and Rhondda Cynon Taff, he joked: "I'm very glad to unveil this... whatever it is!"

The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall were greeted in the upper Swansea Valley village by a large crowd as they arrived at the Penrhos Youth and Community Centre in Ynysgedwyn.

The centre is a the former colliery site, which The Prince last visited in 1979.

Since then it has been transformed into a community complex offering local youngsters tuition in everything from arts and crafts to cookery.

Their Royal Highnesses met youngsters who had been cooking a variety of goodies and heaped praise on their culinary efforts.

"These Welsh cakes are delicious," The Duchess said as she sampled the successful results of one girl's cooking.

"Do you take them home with you afterwards? It must be a great temptation to eat them all on the way?" she added.

Their Royal Highnesses also sampled a home-made fruit meringue, muffins and a fresh fruit kebab. When they left Her Royal Highness smiled and said: "Sorry for munching my way around the room!"

Their Royal Highnesses enjoyed a performance by a traditional Welsh male voice choir when they went on to the Ystradgunlais Healthy Living Centre.

They were greeted by a crowd of at least 300 flag-waving children and adults as Cor Y Gynlais sang The Rhythm of Life.

Inside they visited a local creche and heard about the other community activities which took place at the centre.

Before leaving, The Prince of Wales congratulated the community on its efforts to rebuild itself after the collapse of the mining industry.

"I was reminded - when I was down at the youth centre - that I last came here around 30 years ago," he said.

"If I may say so, congratulations to so many of you for putting in so much effort and energy into the community.

"I just want to say on both our parts what a real joy it has been to see what you have achieved and I hope you go from strength to strength."

The Prince and The Duchess later hosted a black tie dinner at Cardiff Castle for the newly elected Welsh Assembly Members.

While the guests mingled at a reception in the castle's library, The Prince met his new official harpist and presented her with a brooch to wear each time she plays for him.
Click here to read about the role of Official Harpist.

It was the first time 22-year-old Claire Jones, from Crymych, Pembrokeshire, had played for The Prince in her new role.

Removing her necklace and replacing it with the new brooch, Miss Jones said: "I'm extremely privileged. It's a delight, something I've always looked forward to. It has been one of my ambitions to become the Royal Harpist since it was revived in 2000."

She said: "The Prince is always very charming when I've met him, very easy to talk to and extremely friendly. It's also a privilege for my parents to be here for the ceremony.

"This is a very, very big evening for me because I'm also one of eight people receiving an award given by The Prince in conjunction with the Arts Council of Wales.

"The awards aim to support the professional development of young musicians.

"The Prince is extremely supportive and really does give a chance to young talent from every background. We as musicians are very lucky to have an ambassador in Wales such as him."

The Prince and The Duchess then joined their guests for drinks and a dinner of salmon mousse, Welsh lamb and summer pudding in the castle's Great Hall.

Their Royal Highnesses's tour continues tomorrow in Mid Wales.

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