Princess Anne visits north Shropshire community farm to mark a very special birthday

A senior member of the Royal Family has been in Shropshire visiting the country’s first-ever community-owned farm to help it celebrate a major birthday.

Princess Anne was at Fordhall Farm in Market Drayton on Thursday (September 24) as it celebrates its 20th birthday as a community-owned venture.

Whilst she was at the farm, King Charles’ younger sister unveiled a plaque commemorating the major birthday.

The family-run tenanted farm was famously saved from development through a nationwide campaign, which saw more than 8,000 people purchase £50 shares to become community landlords.

Anne, the Princess Royal, was taken on a tour around the farm, as well as meeting with high-profile guests such as the MP for North Shropshire Helen Morgan, Market Drayton Mayor and Mayoress Tim and Clare Manton, and members of the Hollins family, who run the farm.

Charlotte Hollins, manager of the Fordhall Community Land Initiative, said “We have been truly honoured to welcome HRH The Princess Royal to Fordhall this week.

“It is a celebration of Dad’s life’s work and his belief in organic farming after the Second World War.

“It is also a reflection of all the incredible work that has been put in by all of our volunteers, staff and shareholders over the last 20 years.”

Tenant farmer Ben Hollins took the princess around the farm’s land, discussing the business’ innovative pasture-based farming system and the importance of the 100-year tenancy he has from the Fordhall Community Land Initiative.

Mr Hollins said: “It was great to talk to The Princess Royal about my 100-year tenancy and why it is so good for the land.

“I shared how important it is for me to be able to plan long-term at Fordhall, whilst continuing Dad's organic legacy.

“As a farmer herself, The Princess was incredibly knowledgeable and clearly has a passion for the land.”

Alison Fowler, Conservation and Volunteer Lead at the farm, said: “It was a real pleasure to show Her Royal Highness all the work our volunteers, apprentices and youth team are doing to help us look after and understand our ponds.

“The Princess was really interested in how we plan to improve the water quality and diversity of Castle Hill Pond.”

Princess Anne also visited the famous Fordhall Farm Shop, where she met the full team, including those behind the butchery and the store management.

Ms Hollins said: “Our next vision, set by our members, is to build a movement that safeguards more organic farms and more long-term livelihoods on the land.

“Community-ownership means Citizens, Farmers and Landowners all have an equal voice. It was evident that The Princess cares deeply about farms and community.

“She spent a long time engaging with everyone onsite with warmth and great understanding.

“She could see how hard everyone works and how beneficial models like ours are for safeguarding livelihoods on the land and providing opportunities for new entrants.”

“Looking for 1,000 new community shareholders to share this journey with us is a bold ambition, but we believe the interest is there.

“We want to share our learning outside of the farm gate to safeguard more farms and we welcome everyone to share that journey with us.”

Princess Anne’s visit to Fordhall Farm follows her engagement with West Mercia Search and Rescue and Shrewsbury’s Men Shed last week.

Talking about the Royal visit, the North Shropshire MP Helen Morgan said: “Fordhall Farm holds a special place in North Shropshire’s community and it’s wonderful to see their achievements over the past two decades recognised in this way.”