'It is the first time I've met a princess' (From Witney Gazette)

'It is the first time I've met a princess'

9:00am Wednesday 20th September 2006 in Witney By Maddy Biddulph

A WET morning in Charlbury was brightened by a visit from The Princess Royal on Friday - the first Royal visit in the town for 120 years.

The princess - dressed in a colourful blue, green, and purple dress, with a regal-purple coat - waved and smiled at well-wishers when she arrived in Church Street.

She was 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.

Children waving hand-painted flags and adults of all ages lined both sides of the road to catch a glimpse of the princess.

Her arrival caught everyone by surprise, as her car pulled up suddenly while everyone was looking at a policeman re-directing a double decker bus.

The princess was handed a posy by three-year-old Zoe Dare, from Kiddywinks Day Nursery.

The little girl said: "She said 'thank-you'. It is the first time I've met a princess."

The Princess Royal was 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 also 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.

After her tour, she signed the museum's visitors book, before moving on to the Corner House, to meet councillors, the street fair committee, which organises Charlbury's annual September street fair, and Charlbury churches.

She looked at a display put together by the Arts Society about the street fair - which this year had a Royal Charter theme, and took place on Saturday, the day after her visit.

The Princess Royal also unveiled a plaque designed and carved by Charlbury resident Andy Hopkins. The brass plate was made in Witney.

Kelly Harley, Kiddywinks Nursery manager, said the children were really excited about seeing the princess.

She added: "We are based just across the road, so it was an ideal chance for them to come and see her."

After leaving Charlbury, the Princess Royal went to 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 included stalls, an evening parade, and dancing in the streets. It raised thousands of pounds for the town's Corner House and memorial hall.