The Princess Royal celebrated the achievements of people with disabilities when she visited the Bradbury Garden Centre and Pottery Studio in Ugley.
The initiative is run by Hft, which Princess Anne became a patron of in 1982.
Since then, she has visited many of the charity’s projects, but it was her first visit to Hft Herts and Essex in Pound Lane for 15 years.
The Princess Royal at Bradbury Garden Centre and Pottery Studio
During the visit, the royal met people supported by the Bradbury Resource Centre and heard firsthand how the facilities have become a vibrant community where individuals with learning disabilities can develop skills, express creativity and connect with others.
She popped into the community café and met people taking part in a live pottery workshop before touring the Potting Shed Shop to admire the finished ceramics for sale.
Her Royal Highness also visited the centre’s sensory room and enjoyed a lively drama performance in the theatre room.
The Princess Royal at Bradbury Garden Centre and Pottery Studio
Mina, who attends the resource centre twice a week, said: “I love coming here. I enjoy having everyone around me and have made lots of new friendships and connections with new people.
“I have fun being creative and have made lots of nice things for my mum.”
Peter also enjoys spending time in the pottery studio. He said: “I like making stuff and feel proud of the items I have created. It makes me feel relaxed and calm.”
The Princess Royal at Bradbury Garden Centre and Pottery Studio
Sandra and David, whose son Christopher has been supported by Hft for nearly two decades, said: “With the support of Hft, Christopher has flourished and become more confident.
“He has built his own community around him, and being here has opened up many opportunities for him to enjoy.”
The visit concluded with the unveiling of a commemorative plaque and the presentation of a bud vase, created by potters at Hft Bradbury.
The Princess Royal at Bradbury Garden Centre and Pottery Studio
Mina, who gave the Princess Royal her present, added: “It was so exciting to meet Her Royal Highness. I hope she likes the vase, and it will look nice in her home.”
The vase design carries special meaning. Mountains, rough seas and large rocks symbolise obstacles often faced by learning disabled adults. These gradually transform into steps leading up to a house, representing the home and support they have found with Hft.
The group that made the vase said: “Our pottery group discussed challenges faced by adults with learning disabilities, and how, with support from Hft, these obstacles had been made easier for us to overcome.
The Princess Royal at Bradbury Garden Centre and Pottery Studio
“We wanted to express these feelings in our gift for HRH The Princess Royal, picturing what the challenges would look like, comparing them to climbing mountains, swimming through rough seas with some big rocks in our path.
“We decided to try to make a pottery vase that showed these steps, from finding our way through the challenges and leading us to Hft – a place we can call home.”
Her Royal Highness was also presented with a packet of wisteria seeds, harvested from the historic tree that has stood in the grounds for more than 100 years — a symbol of growth and deep roots, reflecting Her Royal Highness’s longstanding patronage of Hft.
The Princess Royal at Bradbury Garden Centre and Pottery Studio
The Lord Lieutenant of Essex, Jennifer Tolhurst; the High Sheriff of Essex, Julie Fosh; Hft chief executive Stephen Veevers; and chair of the board of trustees, Amanda Bunce, greeted the princess with families, supporters and volunteers.
Mr Veevers said: “We were honoured and delighted to welcome Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal back to our flourishing Herts and Essex garden centre and resource centre.
“For decades, Her Royal Highness has been a dedicated champion of Hft and a passionate advocate for learning disabled adults.
The Princess Royal at Bradbury Garden Centre and Pottery Studio
“This visit was not only a celebration of how far the service has come, but a recognition of learning disabled adults’ ability to live independently, make choices and lead brilliant lives.”
Hft, founded in 1962 by a group of visionary parents, now supports more than 2,800 learning disabled adults in England and Wales.
The Princess Royal at Bradbury Garden Centre and Pottery StudioThe Princess Royal at Bradbury Garden Centre and Pottery StudioThe Princess Royal at Bradbury Garden Centre and Pottery StudioThe Princess Royal at Bradbury Garden Centre and Pottery Studio
All pictures courtesy of Hft.
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