Prince Harry had a day of engagements in Suffolk today as he toured the new home of Inspire Suffolk, an Ipswich based community project, and he attended the Suffolk Show.
Prince Harry gave the Royal seal of approval as he toured the new home of Inspire Suffolk in Lindbergh Road. He also joined in with activities with the young people that the charity helps. Harry unveiled a plaque during his visit and said he was pleased to see what the charity was doing, describing it as great work to motivate and educate young people through sport.
The Prince arrived at the centre dressed in his tracksuit bottoms and a England rugby polo shirt and proved that he was certainly in a fun mood as joined in a game of tag rugby. Matthew Blacker, aged nine said, “It was pretty fun. He was good at rugby and he was pretty fast, it is exciting as I have never met a Royal person before”.
After the game, Harry moved in to the main sports hall to see first hand the work the charity, formerly the ITFC Charitable Trust, does with children who have additional needs. Harry also met youngsters taking part in the Prince’s Trust Team Programme, which helps disadvantaged young people in to work, education and training.
Prince Harry at the @InspireSuffolk centre, something tells us he’s got an unfair advantage? #princeharry pic.twitter.com/iCyh2xmS5T
— PA Images (@PAImages) May 29, 2014
Last year, Inspire Suffolk worked with more than 60,000 people of all ages, abilities, communities and backgrounds. From Inspire Suffolk, Prince Harry moved on to the Suffolk Show.
On the second day of the show at Trinity Park, Ipswich, Prince Harry praised the people of Suffolk for putting up with his day and night Army helicopter flights. The Prince, who flew Apache helicopters on training missions from Wattisham Airfield, addressed a crowd at the show praising the ‘beauty’ of the East Anglian countryside, saying “I know this as I have had the pleasure of flying Her Majesty’s Apaches through those skies”.
Prince Harry also marked the centenary of the outbreak of World War One and praised the Suffolk Regiment’s role in the conflict: “One hundred years on we remember our forebears who gave their lives for us, we should remember those gallant men of Suffolk who, in the first few months of that war, saved the British Army from destruction at Le Cateau” Harry is quoted as saying.
Suffolk Show director Bill Baker said before The Prince arrived, “With Prince Harry coming today, everyone is very excited. It will be a great honour for us and the county. We’ve had Royal visitors before and I expect today to be another great day”.
Not only was the Suffolk Show welcoming a Royal today, there was plenty of attractions for all in attendance including the Shetland Pony Grand National and a cattle parade.
The Suffolk Show is worth millions of pounds to the Suffolk economy and it was hoped that 90,000 people would walk through the gates of Trinity Park over the course of the event.
Photo credit Anna Doran/@annadoranx