Prince Charles tours the Peninsula

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His Royal Highness, Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales, was described as 'charming' by volunteers and staff at Mount Stewart, when he visited the National Trust property, outside Greyabbey, last Thursday morning.

The heir to the throne spent the second day of his visit to Northern Ireland visiting the Ards Peninsula.

He was met at Mount Stewart by David Lindsay, Lord Lieutenant of County Down, who introduced the prince to Mayor of Ards, Councillor William Montgomery and his wife Sally; Ashley Boreland, the Council's Chief Executive; Strangford MP Jim Shannon and his wife Sandra; National Trust NI Chair, Roy Bailie, OBE; Hilary McGrady, Regional Director of the National Trust; Jon Kerr, Property Manager at Mount Stewart; and Lady Rose Lauritzen and Peter Lauritzen.

The last royal visit to Mount Stewart was when Prince Charles' grandparents, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, then Duke and Duchess of York, visited the estate in the 1920's, when they were hosted by Lady Rose's grandparents, Lord and Lady Londonderry.

Eoin Lane, Lead Gardner at Mount Stewart, accompanied HRH during a tour of the world renowned gardens, which were created in the 1920's by Edith, Lady Londonderry.

The prince stopped to plant a Japanese Katsura tree to commemorate his visit, assisted by Colin Dawson, the Trust's spademaker at Patterson's Spade Mill.

Describing the prince as 'charming', Mr Lane said he had been very interested in the gardens and topics, including the mulching, topairy, colour schemes and plant cultivation.

"He really knows his plants," Mr Lane added. "He was also interested in the different trees and talked about Highgrove and his other gardens in Scotland."

Prince Charles, he explained, also enjoyed viewing Edith, Lady Londonderry's planting lists from the 1920's, and her watercolours of plants.

"He was very relaxed and very switched on," Mr Lane remarked.

During his tour of the gardens, the Prince of Wales also had the opportunity to sample the lavender and raspberry flavoured ice cream made exclusively for Mount Stewart by Glastry Farm Ice Cream.

Ice cream maker, Will Taylor, explained, how he had toured the gardens with the head gardener, and had prepared a short list of plants which grew in the garden, and which were suitable for putting flavour into ice cream.

"We took that list to the Food Technology Centre in Cookstown and eliminated it down until we came up with the lavender and raspberry flavoured ice cream," he explained.

Following the garden tour, the prince viewed many of the portraits, sculptures and pieces of memorabilia, including the famous Hambletonian 'Rubbing Down' painting by 18th century artist, George Stubbs.

He then met guests at a reception in the central hall, including Trust volunteers, staff and suppliers.

Robert Bell, whose great grandfather established S. D. Bell & Co, purveyors of fine tea and coffee, explained to the prince the provenance of the Lady Londonderry's tea.

"In the time of Edith, Lady Londonderry, it would have been customary for the lady of the house to blend her own tea," he related.

"I explained it was a Chinese afternoon tea, with a little Ceylon, because of the association of Thomas Lipton with Mount Stewart.

"He took a packet of the tea and said he was looking forward to enjoying it in the afternoon," Mr Bell continued. "I am honoured that he should take it. I found him charming and very interested."

The prince also shook hands with Mount Stewart volunteer, Stella Robinson, who lives on the estate, and with visitor services assistant, Sarah Sharpe, from Ballywalter. "I thought he was lovely and genuinely interested," Mrs Robinson commented.

Addressing guests, National Trust Northern Ireland Chair Roy Bailie highlighted they were genuinely proud to have the prince with them.

"My colleagues, staff and volunteers have been able to share with you part of our strategy of reaching out to the community," he remarked.

"Your enthusiasm and inspiration are a great encouragement to myself, and everyone here today.

"Mount Stewart has a long and distinguished history and your presence here today adds another chapter to that history," Mr Bailie concluded.

Property Administrator, Helen Harrison, presented the prince with gifts of a bowl made from Mount Stewart yew, made by local wood turner, Mike Miall, who volunteers at the property, and with a hand painted silk scarf, inspired by the gardens at Mount Stewart, by Cecilia Stephens of Ards Arts Collective, for his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall.

Thanking everyone for the 'lovely' gifts, the Prince of Wales spoke of his pride at being involved with the National Trust as their patron.

"What is so special about the National Trust is people like yourselves, volunteers, who make a fantastic difference," he said, "I would congratulate you all on the effort you make."

After the visit, the Trust's Regional Director, Hilary McGrady, spoke of their thrill and honour at the event.

"To have The Prince of Wales take time to share in our works is a real privilege," she remarked.

"As a conservation charity, we want our local supporters to share in the heart of everything we do, so to have one of our biggest supporters pay a special visit has created an amazing buzz among staff and volunteers, and invited guests."

The next visit on the royal itinerary was to the Barnwell self catering cottages outside Greyabbey.

Read the full story in this week's Chronicle.