PRINCE CHARLES has reaffirmed his support to an upper dale farming charity during a 25th anniversary celebration.
The prince marked Utass (Upper Teesdale Agricultural Support Services) offering a quarter of a century of help to farmers during a ceremony
at Kirkharle Courtyard, in Northumberland, last Wed-nesday.
Along with meeting and chatting to staff, volunteers, board members, funders, supporters and retired farmers from the charity, he also expertly cut a cake which was baked by Utass staff member Emma Spry.
The occasion formed part of Prince Charles’ visit to Northumberland which included tours of Hexham, Kielder, Morpeth, Alnwick and Kirkharle.
Special arrangements were made for Utass to form part of the visit because of the prince’s close association with the charity, which he has visited on a number of occasions. During the ceremony Prince Charles reconfirmed financial support for Utass through The Prince’s Countryside Fund. As he left, he asked for confirmation that the charity had applied for cash.
The trust has, since its inception in 2010, provided grants to Utass to help train farmers in how to deal with complex paperwork and legislation, offer training opportunities for young people and give business advice.
The trust has also, through Utass, provided a farm resilience programme aimed at creating sustainable futures for farming communities.
Dianne Spark, co-project leader of Utass, said: “We are utterly delighted that His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales has acknowledged 25 years of the work of Utass. He has done an enormous amount to support the work of Utass over the years and we were looking forward to sharing such a significant milestone with him.”
Claire Saunders, director of The Prince’s Countryside Fund said: “It is fantastic that The Prince of Wales was able to visit Northumberland to meet with Utass and hear first-hand about the invaluable support they offer farming families in the Durham Dales area.”
Prince Charles is no stranger to Teesdale. In his younger days, he regularly made private visits to the home of the late Sir Joseph Nickerson at Middleton House. Former housekeeper Anne Stewart recalled preparing exotic dishes for him, Prince Edward, Princess Anne, King Juan of Spain and Prince Bernard of the Netherlands. A high-profile visit came in 2002, when Prince Charles visited Utass’ offices. The charity had provided a lifeline for dale farmers during the foot-and-mouth crisis, prompting the royal to pay it a visit. The heir to the throne has heaped praise on the work done by the organisation ever since.
Two years later, he returned to Utass, also sparing the time to switch on the village’s Christmas lights. Prince Charles’ last public visit to charity was in 2012.
He opened Barnard Castle’s new 999 hub earlier this year, when he also dropped by at The Bowes Museum.
