COMMENT: Prince doing what Royalty does best (From Gazette Series)

COMMENT: Prince Charles doing what Royalty does best

8:50am Thursday 28th February 2013 in News By Daniel Chipperfield

THE PRINCE of Wales’s visit to Uley to officially unveil the village’s shop and post office was a memorable occasion for all involved.

A real sense of gratitude could be felt for Prince Charles’ visit to the tiny village but it was his willingness to stay as long as he could to shake hands, share jokes and show a genuine interest in what people had to say that will stay in people's minds.

With not always flattering stories, and not to mention pictures, of the younger members of the Royal Family dominating national headlines of late, it is refreshing to see the more traditional, ambassadorial role Royalty does and should play for the general public.

Prince Charles is a well-known advocate of keeping Britain’s heritage and that does not always mean protecting grand buildings and castles.

What Uley residents have done, with help from the Plunkett Foundation, is truly remarkable with over £50,000 raised in selling shares for the village shop from a population not far over 1,000.

The Duke of Cornwall himself thought it was a fantastic achievement to have 70 volunteers available to work at the shop on a rota basis.

The Royal visit was nothing more than the volunteers deserved after their efforts ensured the shop could reopen, smartly refurbished, after it was feared it would close when the previous owners announced they were leaving.

As manager of the store and post office Angela Haddell put it, it is more about the community than the shop because it has brought the village together.