Royal Visit: Prince Charles and Camilla officially re-open the Strand Hall in Builth Wells

The streets were lined with schoolchildren and residents waving Welsh and Union flags to welcome Prince Charles and Camilla at the opening of The Strand Hall on Wednesday morning.

The Royal couple arrived in Builth Wells accompanied by Dame Shan Legge-Bourke, The Lord-Lieutenant of Powys to the newly-refurbished Edwardian hall.

Greeting Their Royal Highnesses was The High Sheriff of Powys, Cllr David Price and his wife Elaine, Builth Wells Town Councillor Simon John, David Meredith, chair of Powys County Council, and Cllr Paul McNiffe, Builth Wells Mayor, and other local dignitaries.

Prince Charles recieves a warm reception during his visit on Wednesday. (Picture: Phil Blagg)

Former Mayor of Builth Wells, Cllr Meryl Prynne, said it was a “wonderful” occasion.

“When could an occasion happen like this again? It’s so special. If you could have seen what it was like when we used to come here dancing in the 50s and 60s! There’s been a tremendous amount of work done here,” she said.

“Everyone is going to remember this for years to come.”

Their Royal Highnesses were welcomed into The Strand Hall with a guard of honour by the Builth Wells Army Cadets and were met inside by local producers at the Farmers’ Market.

Nine-year-old Alys Parry greets Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall with a posy in the hall.

The Duchess of Cornwall bought a willow basket by basketmaker Mary Zammit from Builth Wells.

Mary said: “I feel overwhelmed! It’s based on a traditional Irish Kisheen, which are intended for taking hot food into the fields. Traditional willow basket making is something in this country we almost lost after the war, but we’ve worked hard to preserve the techniques and share this ancient of crafts.”

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall with the plaque to mark the refurbishment of the Strand Hall. (Picture: Phil Blagg)

While in the hall, Prince Charles and Camilla were entertained by the award-winning performances of the Young Farmers Clubs of Builth Wells and Erwood. They then unveiled a plaque, locally-sourced, and designed by the pupils of Builth Wells High School and Design and Technology teacher Sarah Cuthbertson.

Sarah said: “I feel privileged to have had the opportunities, we’re just so grateful to do the Urdd Eisteddfod crown and now the plaque for the hall. It really is an honour. The pupils just went off and got on with it. It’s an amazing opportunity.”

Prince Charles and The Duchess of Cornwall chat to Builth Wells High School students about a history project about the Strand Hall. (Picture: Phil Blagg) 

The plaque was sourced from the quarry of Emma and Lyndon Hammonds from Welsh Fossil Fountains.

Emma said: “It was wonderful, and the Prince was lovely. We told him we were hill farmers then he asked if we were harvesting, We told him we had to look at diversification and I started off with the water fountains and now we’re looking at tourism and it keeps us busy. It’s making use of what we have and sharing it with everyone else.”

The Duchess of Cornwall with Donna Kurtis and Dominic Kurtis (11 weeks). (Picture: Phil Blagg)

Donna Kurtis and her 11-week old son, Dominic met the duchess as Her Royal Highness left the building said: “Camilla said what a beautiful baby! It’s been a fantastic day and such a historical moment, and a great memory for my child when he’s older.”

The Prince and Duchess left Builth Wells by helicopter from the Royal Welsh Showground to their next engagement in Libanus.

TRH Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall with the High Sheriff of Powys, Cllr David Price. (Picture: Phil Blagg)
 

Cllr David Price: “I asked the Lord Lieutenant of Powys, what do I need to do to get a royal visit to Builth? She said I needed a plan, but I needed people to help me. A number of people have pulled it together.

"A huge thank you to the stall holders because this was really the selling point to have a farmers market. I rather hope this is a catalyst for you to have more farmer’s markets here in the future.

"There are many elements to today, the school and their fantastic collage, and the plaque which is such an unusual piece. The Young farmers, big up Builth and Erwood YFC!

"There are so many people that we rely on when we organise anything and they came forward and helped, from everyone who cleaned windows, scrubbed floors and all those things to truly pull this off. A huge thank you to everyone here, no one can do this alone."