GRANDCHILDREN was the topic of the day as The Prince of Wales chatted to patients at Cotswold Care Hospice.

The Prince, who is patron of the Minchinhampton-based charity, met patients, carers, staff and volunteers during the visit in which he opened the new creative therapy extension.

The charity raised £55,000 to complete the new extension following a £116,000 Government grant for the project.

The Prince of Wales admired a new piece of art work which was the result of a community project involving children from Minchinhampton Primary School.

Over several weeks, the pupils worked together with day hospice patients to create a collage inspired by Monet’s garden.

The children explained their work to The Prince of Wales and Jules Eaton, chief executive of Cotswold Care Hospice, said he took time to speak to everyone.

“We are honoured to have His Royal Highness as our Patron. It seemed only right that The Prince opened our new creative therapy extension, as he always enjoys visiting the art studio here at the hospice.”

HRH also visited the new therapeutic garden on Thursday, December 19, when he met the sculptor Jim Milne who designed the central feature.

The Prince of Wales also had a special ‘gift’ for patient Desmond Kyne – information about making icons. Mr Kyne, from Stroud, designs and creates icons and tapestries.

Val Marriott, from Tetbury, received support from the charity’s home nurses so that her late husband Richard could die at home.

Speaking to the Prince, she said that Richard had told her was not afraid of dying but he wanted to maintain his dignity.

“Cotswold Care Hospice achieved that and the nurses and care staff cared for Richard with dignity and compassion. He always felt better after a visit,” he said.

“The Prince asked me how many grandchildren I had and when I said three he joked I was doing better than he was.”