Their royal highnesses, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, visited East Shallowford Farm on Tuesday 3rd May for a special event and the official opening of the new barn accommodation buildings.
A group of Providence House young people and staff were represented at the event, young people demonstrating moving sheep from one field to another, participating in a workshop to make bird and bat nesting boxes, and acting in various support roles. Other young people from schools in Devon took part in a search activity on the marsh, scone making in the new barn, and helping with the pigs.
Volunteer Antony Radford, from Providence spent many days prior to the event helping get ready.
Providence House trustee, and also Chair of the Shallowford Trust, Robert Musgrave, along with John Dracup, from Shallowford and Broadaford, accompanied the royal couple to visit all the different activities and to talk with the visitors, culminating in the official opening of a plaque to commemorate the occasion, at which Reuben Graham, third generation Providence visitor to the farm, gave the couple a gift.
Robert Musgrave in his short talk spoke of how the new farm developments were like a bridge between the values of the past in the story of Shallowford and the opportunities for the future. The countess spoke of the importance of ‘providence’ in the life of Elizabeth Braund, the founder.
Over two hundred invited guests attended the event and viewed with admiration the new developments for accommodation, for education and the new farmyard and extensive vegetable garden. Much is hoped for in the months to come.
Julia McDade, Shallowford Trust Manager, and Will Dracup, Farm Manager and their team organised most of the activities on display, while from Providence House, Esther Clevely, Director, with a team led the young people in their participation.