Princess Alexandra visited the charity that uses gardening to improve health, based in Beech Hill, where she met client gardeners, their families, Thrive staff and volunteers.
The Princess, who is Thrive’s patron, took a keen interest in flower and vegetable plots that are maintained by clients with a wide variety of disabilities and long-term health conditions.
After a tour of the charity’s three-acre walled gardens, Princess Alexandra presented long-service awards to volunteers who have worked at the charity for more than 10 and 20 years, before cutting a special anniversary cake shaped as the Thrive logo.
Thrive CEO Kathryn Rossiter said, ‘This is Thrive’s 40th year and we were delighted to welcome Princess Alexandra to celebrate this important milestone in our history.
`The Princess is a committed supporter of our work and was clearly interested to see how our client gardeners benefit from working alongside our Horticultural Therapists and the difference this makes to their lives. It was a special day to remember.’
Before the royal visit, Thrive hosted its annual flower show where judges, including TV gardeners David Domoney and Mark Lane, awarded medals and certificates recognising clients’ growing and creative achievements.