The Wey & Arun Canal Trust got the chance to show off the Trust’s work to HRH The Earl of Wessex KG GCVO earlier this week as part of a Royal Visit to Birtley near Bramley, organised by Surrey Hills Enterprises.
Surrey Hills Enterprises is a community interest company which focuses on building a strong local economy and tourism industry, supporting rural businesses and environmental sustainability. The Trust was among a group of selected Surrey Hill Enterprises members present, ranging from arts and crafts workers, to food and drink producers and tourism organisations.
Trust director Margaret Darvill said His Royal Highness seemed very interested in learning about the canal. “He asked when it was built and where it ran from and to and said he thought it was a tremendous project and such a worthwhile volunteer effort to restore the canal,” she said.
Simon Whalley, chairman of Surrey Hills Enterprises, said that the Royal Visit “was a wonderful recognition of the growing reputation and development of the Surrey Hills as a hub of innovative, high quality, sustainable, local products and services”.
