Epping Forest was happy to the receive the Princess Royal on Monday, during which she took part in the opening of a new citizens’ advice bureau on the town’s high street. Her Royal Highness was accompanied during the occasion by Epping’s MP, Eleanor Laing.
During the opening, Princess Anne met with the new staff of the bureau, as well as representatives of the Theydon Trust who helped to build the facility. The choice of Princess Anne to cut the ribbon to the facility was by no means thoughtless, either. The Princess Royal also serves as a patron to the National Association of Citizens’ Advice Bureau, as such the action was as much to recognise the Princess’s role in the charity’s work.
Ms Laing said of the occasion, “The Citizens Advice Bureau provides a valuable service to the local community not just in Epping but throughout Epping Forest, and it is great that they have been able to move into such a marvellous new base.” She also added, “The Princess’s visit is a good way of saying thank you to them from the whole community.”
The new branch manager for Epping Forest’s new office was also keen to express her joy at the opening. “We have a wonderful new office back in a central location in Epping where we can offer a full advice service to the people of Epping and the surrounding area.”
As well as opening the new office for the Citizens’ Advice Bureau, Princess Anne was also able to visit a new glasshouse nursery nearby in Nazeing, operated by Valley Grown Nurseries. The nursery forms an important part of the local community’s agricultural industry, dedicating 300 acres to the specialist growth of crops such as cucumbers, peppers, and other green vegetables throughout the year. It produced 200 million of such crops each year.
This was not the first time that the nursery had been visited either. The Queen Mother had also visited Lea Valley back in 1959, and Princess Anne signed her name with hers within the site’s guestbook. The Princess Royal also unveiled a commemorative plaque marking the opening of the new nursery. The Valley Grown Nurseries said that they were “delighted” for the opportunity to show Princess Anne all their hard work in providing fresh vegetables to local and national suppliers.