How the Prince brought cheer after outbreak (From Craven Herald)

How the Prince brought cheer after outbreak

2:21pm Thursday 15th December 2011 in Craven History By Lindsey Moore, Deputy Editor

The Prince of Wales lent a sympathetic ear to farmers, business owners and organisations who had suffered as a result of the foot and mouth crisis.

He visited Skipton Auction Mart, which had only just started to hold auction sales again, with stock being viewed via a video screen.

His Royal Highness spent 90 minutes chatting to officials, business people and farmers and then had a more formal discussion with invited guests including Craven Herald editor Ian Lockwood.

Prince Charles expressed his dismay at what had happened over the past few months. “I wish I could wave a magic wand to put things right,” he said, adding he had been impressed by the way people had coped.

He told farmers they were an absolutely crucial part of the tapestry of the Dales and he hoped younger generations would carry on the farming tradition.

As he wandered through the mart, he talked to local traders and had an impromptu chat with Fiona Shuttleworth, of Green Farm, Rylstone, her niece Sarah Wilman and Sarah’s boyfriend, Chris Hundsdoerfer, who were visiting the NFU office.

“We’d only gone down to insure a car,” said Fiona. “We went inside to see if we could see the Prince and as we watched he must have noticed Chris’ arm in a sling from a fall from a tractor. He came over and asked us where we were from and wished us a Happy Christmas.

“It was very unexpected and very nice of him.”

He also spoke to self-confessed Royalists Joyce Leeds and Margret Hansel, of Grassington. He told them they were from a lovely part of the world. “It made our day,” said Margret.

Later, Jeremy Eaton, the mart’s general manager, said the royal visit had gone very smoothly and was much appreciated by everyone. He said the Prince had been genuinely concerned about those who had been affected by the crisis.

Prince Charles then headed up to North Craven – one of the places worst hit by the foot and mouth outbreak.

In Stainforth, he was greeted by flag-waving children, who sang We Wish You a Merry Christmas and presented him with a cuddly toy.

He was in the village to visit the Craven Heifer and launch the Pub is The Hub campaign, aimed at halting the trend of pub closures.

It showed how pubs and communities could work together to their mutual benefit.

The Craven Heifer – run by Michael and Debbie Prior – was chosen for the launch as it incorporated a post office and store and was a focal point of the village.

In the shop, the royal visitor bought some local produce – including sticky toffee pudding, Wensleydale cheese, jam and a stamp – and in the pub, he enjoyed a pint of Thwaites beer and a glass of Laphroaig whisky and tucked into egg and cress sandwiches and mince pies.

One of the cooks, Daphne Murgatroyd, of Gargrave, said it had been a once-in-a-lifetime experience. “He chatted to us for ages and was genuinely interested in what people had to say.”

Unveiling a plaque to mark the launch, Prince Charles praised the dedication of the Priors and said he hoped others would follow their example, He added he had been desperately trying to think of a way of responding to the loss of rural services, but had been pipped at the post by the Priors.

Responding, Mrs Prior thanked the Prince for his support and said: “Having you here today has been the icing on the cake.”

His final visit of the day was to The Folly, in Settle, where the first phase of restoration had been completed.

Home to the Museum of North Craven Life, the grade I-listed building had been restored using funds from the Heritage Lottery, European Union, Yorkshire Forward, Architectural Heritage Fund, county and district councils and private donors.

He met the trustees and the president of the North Craven Buildings Preservation Trust, playwright Alan Bennett.

“It is wonderful that people like you are finding new ways of using old buildings like this so that we can preserve them from dereliction. I am very interested in this type of project and I am delighted to declare it open,” said Prince Charles.

He also announced the expansion of ROSE (Rural Opportunity for Self-Employment) across Yorkshire, which offered advice and support to young business enterprise, and presented prizes to the winners of a poetry competition, organised by the West Craven Foot and Mouth Disease Action Group.

The Prince asked the young poets, from Settle Middle School and Embsay Primary School, their opinion of the latest Harry Potter film.

“He was marvellous with them. It really made their day,” said action group member Jennifer Purcell.

The Craven Herald’s leader column said Prince Charles had raised the spirits of the district, where few lives had not been affected by the foot and mouth crisis – from despairing farmers to business people who had gone through the lingering agony of seeing their work dissipated.