On Monday 10th February, Newquay Orchard welcomed HRH King Charles III to Newquay Orchard, where he met volunteers, students and staff, and once again soaked up all the Orchard has to offer as a thriving community space.
King Charles was joined by the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, on what has been described as a momentous ‘rare joint engagement’. They were in Cornwall for a visit to Newquay’s 540-acre development of Nansledan, stopping by Newquay Orchard to learn all about the project.
Charlotte Hill, CEO at Newquay Orchard, said: “It is not often that we get the opportunity to host guests like King Charles and our Prime Minister.”
“We gave them a tour of the Orchard, the Heart & Soul Cafe, community kitchen, grow space and our event spaces. They had the opportunity to meet our dedicated volunteers, learners, and staff, witnessing first-hand the positive impact Newquay Orchard has on the local community.”
The royal visit came as a wonderful surprise for Newquay Orchard volunteers and learners, such as Rosey, a student on our Growing Futures study programme for young people:
“We knew that we were having some important people visiting but we didn’t know exactly who it was. We spent the morning anticipating who was coming.
When I first saw who it was, I was surprised and excited. He came over to me and asked me a few questions such as how long I had attended Newquay Orchard for, what my name was, and he took an interest in my wheelchair.
When I was speaking to him it felt like a ‘pinch me’ moment as I didn’t expect him to appear or speak to me. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and it made me feel very lucky as it’s not every day that you get to meet royalty and shake their hand!“
A shared vision for sustainability
Newquay Orchard is deeply committed to providing an inclusive and sustainable environment where people can learn new skills, connect with nature, and enhance their wellbeing. This visit highlighted the importance of community-led initiatives in fostering resilience and sustainability.
As part of the visit, the King also showcased his environmentally friendly and sustainable housing project in Nansledan. His Majesty has long championed traditional building materials and sustainable living practices, values that align closely with Newquay Orchard’s mission of fostering environmental stewardship and education.
“The visit underscored the impact of Newquay Orchard’s work and the significance of creating spaces where people can come together to learn, grow, and contribute to a more sustainable future,” Charlotte added
“It was a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate just what can be done with the power of community.”