Duchess opens respite breaks farm
[gallery] The Duchess of Gloucester has opened a farm which provides free respite breaks for disabled people and their families.
Cilthriew Kerry Farm, near Newtown, is run by the Papworth Trust and was unofficially opened in September last year.
The Duchess, who is a patron of the trust, carried out the official opening yesterday after being shown around the farm, which includes holiday cottages, yurts, animal pens, a sensory room, fruit and vegetable gardens, cooking and craft activities, and acres of open space.
She said: "I'm really delighted to be here at last and I've been so pleased to be shown around the beautiful premises.
"I congratulate the Papworth Trust and everyone who's been involved in this project and made it possible: the staff and volunteers without whom nothing would be done, and the local community which has taken this to they hearts.
"I would like to wish everyone who comes here in the future a very happy time."
During her visit The Duchess met families who have already stayed at the farm, including Paddy and Kate Davies from Peterborough and their daughter Sophie, 21, who took part in the trial project which led to the opening of Cilthriew Kerry Farm.
Mrs Davies said: "You just feel perfectly relaxed as soon as you come through the gates. The staff are brilliant and you can do anything you want. We don't go out with Sophie because of her mood swings and we're never sure how she'll react, but here they look after her and entertain her so that we can go out, and she loves it here."
The farm has already received more than 1,600 applications from families wanting to spend time there, but can only accept 50 families per year.
The project has been given funding until 2015 from the Big Lottery Fund and will be looking for further funding to continue beyond that date.
Helena Harris, director of operations at the Papworth Trust, said: "I think most important for the families who come here is that it's a safe haven to come to and enjoy being a family together. It costs us £300,000 a year to run and we're really fortunate that the lottery can support us.
"There's a massive need for a place like Kerry Farm. This is our first farm but we'd love to do more."
