THREE community groups in Worcestershire were given the Royal treatment with a visit from Princess Anne.

Her first stop yesterday was the Good Soil Project at Top Barn, near Worcester – a centre which helps people who re-offend due to their drug habit learn how to grow their own produce and find rewarding employment.

The Princess Royal, who was wearing a blue check skirt suit, a beige shirt and Dubarry boots, arrived at Top Barn by helicopter at 11.45am.

She was introduced to project coordinator for the Good Soil Project Rocky Hudson, who took her to meet some of the service users.

She was also introduced to TV gardening star Monty Don, who launched a similar project in Leominster in 2004.

The Princess Royal was shown around the site, which includes a carpentry shed, kitchen, livestock and garden.

Shawn Grooms, of Bath Road, who has just finished on the project, presented her with an owl box he had made to commemorate her visit.

“She also said she wanted to buy a chicken box from me for her chickens,” he said.

Elaine Pritchard, who lives in Malvern and cooks daily for the group using the fresh ingredients they grow, made the Princess Royal a mug of coffee and gave her a slice of home-made fruit cake.

“I’m really happy she came to see us to find out about the project,” she said.

The Princess Royal then moved on to the Green Start Project Training Centre, also at Top Barn, where she met students with physical or learning disabilities who are gaining practical life skills.

Noelle Wilson, who runs the project, took the Princess on a tour of the site, which included the kitchen and dining area where she unveiled a plaque commemorating her visit.

The Princess Royal said: “It’s a delight to see and quite an achievement for you all.”

The Princess also visited the Citizens Advice Bureau in the Hopmarket, Worcester.

  • To see our picture gallery from the visit click here.