Busy day as Duke of Gloucester pays a flying visit to Shropshire

The Duke was at Fordhall Organic Farm, near Market Drayton, yesterday before officially opening the £45 million Redwoods mental health centre in Shrewsbury.

His visit also included a tour of the Lingen Davies Centre at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, where he met staff and patients on the cancer and haematology unit.

He rounded off his day by seeing Ditherington Flax Mill in Shrewsbury, where he learned more about the major regeneration project planned for the site.

During his visit to Fordhall Farm he officially unveiled its renovated yurts, which have been turned into camping accommodation for visitors.

This was followed by a tour of the farm, with the opportunity to meet some of its many volunteers and shareholders.

The Duke hailed the success of the farm and said he was impressed with the new visitor accommodation.

"You are trying to show to people where our food comes from, how you can farm in different ways and use different methods," he told owners Ben and Charlotte Hollins.

"I hope people will stop here, enjoy it and see something interesting."

Ms Hollins said: "We were very honoured to have him and he really engaged well with everybody. It was great to see everyone have a good time, including the Duke. He seemed most interested in the compost toilets. I don't think he had seen one of them before."

After lunch, the Duke was driven to Bicton, on the outskirts of Shrewsbury. There, local schoolchildren, staff and support workers welcomed him to the 113-bed Redwoods Centre.

The Duke was given a guided tour of the in-patient facility, which offers mental health care to adults aged over 18.

He met David Ellis, from BAM Construct UK, the firm behind the £45 million building and was shown around by Steve Jones, chairman of South Staffordshire and Shropshire NHS Foundation Trust.

Mr Jones said: "We are very grateful for the support we have had from the local community, from the staff, patients and governors and the local schools and long may this continue."

While a pianist and harpist played, The Duke admired artwork on the walls of the building's main atrium, some of which was created by children from the nearby Oxon Primary School.

Among the 100 guests was mayor of Telford and Wrekin Leon Murray and his wife Barbara, mayor of Shrewsbury Jon Tandy and Lord-Lieutenant of Shropshire Algernon Heber-Percy.

Also present were representatives of the Redwoods Project team including designers, architects and builders as well as staff from the adult mental health group, patients and carers as well as support staff.

After chatting with staff, The Duke made his way to Holly Ward where he spoke with patients and staff.

He was then presented with a posy of paperwhites, hyacinths and sea holly by Lara Mulliner, 10, and Matthew Clare, 11, who are both pupils at Oxon Primary.

Lara said: "I was really excited about meeting The Duke, but worried I was going to drop the flowers."

After the flower ceremony, The Duke then officially opened the hospital by unveiling a plaque.

• See also: Proud day for Shropshire as Duke Of Gloucester opens centre