Princess Royal's visit to Didcot was 'a dream come true' (From Herald Series)

Princess Royal's visit to Didcot was 'a dream come true'

2:44pm Tuesday 27th January 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

LOUISE Blackman had always wanted to be a princess, so when she won a competition to meet one in her home town, it was like her dream come true.

The seven-year-old All Saints Primary School pupil presented the Princess Royal with a posy of red and white roses when the princess officially opened Didcot’s new arts centre, Cornerstone, on Monday afternoon.

The opening of the £7.4m venue, run by South Oxfordshire District Coun-cil, signals the start of a new era for arts and culture in the town and marks the end of the first phase of the town centre redevelopment, a £50m scheme to transform its leisure, employment and shopping opportunities.

Louise, who was dressed in a floor-length purple dress with a cream cardigan, won a competition run by the district council, to meet the royal guest. Her letter outlining why she wanted to meet the princess was picked from dozens of entries from primary school pupils in the town.

She said: “I was nervous and excited. I’ve always wanted to be a princess, so meeting a princess was a dream come true. She was very nice.”

Her mother, Marcia Blackman, of Verlam Grove, Ladygrove, Didcot, said she had been the envy of all her schoolfriends and had been counting down the days.

The mother-of-two said: “We are really proud of her. It’s been a real honour for her to come and she’s taken it all in her stride.”

Hundreds of onlookers gathered outside the Orchard Centre venue to catch a glimpse of the Princess Royal, who was dressed in a long brown coat and black boots.

She toured the building, viewing exhibitions, Storytime, pilates demonstrations, street jazz, and local band Chameleon rehearsing. Pupils from Ladygrove Park Primary School sang You Gotta Be, by Des’ree to the princess and dozens of guests and dignitaries, including MP Ed Vaizey, in the auditorium.

Unveiling a plaque, the princess said Didcot should be very proud of the building. She added: “The building seems to have been well used in its early days. This will be a very key building in your plans for the future of Didcot.”

Amelia Lynch, 15, of Rawthey Avenue, Didcot, said the princess observed her dance class. She said: “It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity when she came to watch our dance. It’s really good that she’s come to Didcot.”

Jackie Leighton, 66, of Portway, Didcot, was one of dozens of volunteers and said it was quite an honour to be picked to help at the royal visit. She added: “Cornerstone has bought culture to Didcot, as it was sadly lacking before. It seems to be bringing in people from all over south Oxfordshire.”

District councillor Bill Service, cabinet member for leisure, said: “We have delivered a town centre to be proud of and are delighted to get the royal seal of approval on the work so far.”

Emma Dolman, Corner-stone director, said: “It was brilliant to see so many groups involved in this special occasion. We were busy with lots of different activities, which reflects our purpose. It puts Didcot on the map as a destination.”

Mr Vaizey, the shadow culture minister, said: “It was a fantastic day for Didcot. For our arts centre to get the royal stamp of approval is a great honour.”

Councillor Felix Bloom-field, vice-chairman for planning at the district council, said: “It should be the artistic heart of south Oxfordshire, not just Didcot. I love this building, it’s modernistic and sustainable, and it works really well on this site.”

The redevelopment of Didcot has so far included a five-screen cinema, town square and shopping centre, as well as Cornerstone, which opened for its inaugural season in August.

The arts centre features a 278-seater auditorium, exhibition space, four multi-use areas and a cafe.

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)