Community farm delighted with royal recognition

Princess Anne has unveiled a plaque at England's first community-owned farm, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.

Fordhall Farm, near Market Drayton, was saved from development in 2006 when brother and sister, Charlotte and Ben Hollins, were able to persuade thousands of people to buy shares.

It now has more than 8,000 shareholders and has plans to sell another 1,000 to mark its anniversary.

Non-executive director, Edward Marvin, said the royal visit was important because it highlighted the work done to make sure "small farms like Fordhall and many others can survive in the future".

It was the Princess Royal's second visit to the county this month as she also made an appearance at Harper Adams University, which is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year.

A week ago, she met representatives from West Mercia Search and Rescue and Shrewsbury Men's Shed.

During her visit, Princess Anne spoke to a number of staff, including James Billington, who said: "It was lovely to meet her. It was a great privilege and a great honour.

"She was very interested in the catering side... I spoke to her about my specific role, where we've been and where the business goes."

Katerina Teplá, a shareholder and part-time volunteer, said: "I know that she has an affinity for nature and agriculture, and also know she's very informal and always expresses great interest in all the people she meets."

"It was a very nice opportunity to speak to her," she added.

The princess is the chancellor of Harper Adams University and Prof Ken Sloan, its vice chancellor, said: "Anyone you have as a chancellor is really important, because they're a public champion for your university and they represent you and tell your story."

"In our case we're delighted because her Royal Highness is actually deeply connected to the nature of the university.

"Everybody knows we were founded in agriculture, and even thought we've expanded out of that, the way in which we produce food and manage land is right at the heart of what we do."

He added: "Having a chancellor who is also a farmer, someone who has an estate, who does that herself, is massively important to us."

Princess Anne met the leaders of the university's current research projects, as well as seeing a reconstructed portrait of the Queen Mother, who visited the site in 1963.

Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.