Princess comes to celebrate (From Witney Gazette)

Princess comes to celebrate

9:00am Wednesday 6th September 2006 in Witney By Samantha Simpson

THE Princess Royal will meet members of a local group and tour Charlbury Museum before unveiling a plaque when she visits the town on Friday, September 15.

As reported in the Gazette, the princess will be in Charlbury to help celebrate the town's 750th anniversary of being granted a Royal Charter, allowing a weekly market and annual street fair to be held.

Details of her visit show that she will be welcomed by the Vice-Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, Malcolm Cochrane, West Oxfordshire District Council chairman, Keith Stone, Charlbury Town Council, chairman Nick Potter, and town clerk, Roger Clarke.

She will meet officers of the town's history group, the Charlbury Society, before being taken on a tour of Charlbury Museum, which holds a copy of the Charter, by curator Ron Brew.

After her tour, she will sign the museum's visitors' book, before moving on to the Corner House, to meet local councillors, members of the street fair committee, who organise Charlbury's annual September street fair, representatives from the community, Arts Society, and Charlbury churches.

She will also have the opportunity to view a display put together by the Arts Society about Charlbury street fair - which this year has a Royal Charter theme, and takes place on Saturday, September 16, the day after her visit.

Mr Potter said: "The Princess Royal will conclude her visit in the Museum garden, where she will unveil a plaque celebrating the Charter anniversary. The stone surrounding the plaque was designed and carved by Charlbury resident Andy Hopkins, and the brass plate was made in Witney.

"On departure, she will be presented with a copy of A History of Charlbury by the late Lois Hey, a Charlbury resident."

After leaving Charlbury, the Princess Royal will head for Abingdon, for the town's 450th Royal Charter anniversary celebrations.

Charlbury was granted its Royal Charter in 1256 by King Henry III.

The town has a population of about 3,000, and its present market is a thriving farmers' market, held quarterly. The street fair will include stalls, an evening parade, and dancing in the streets. It raises thousands of pounds for the town's Corner House and memorial hall.