Princess Anne launches education programme in Oxfordshire

The Princess Royal paid a visit to the River & Rowing Museum in Henley to get an understanding of the new programme.

Started by the museum and the Rivertime Boat Trust, the scheme aims to promote education about the River Thames and the natural environment.

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The scheme is being rolled out by Give Them a Sporting Chance, a charity which the princess is a guardian for.

During her visit, the princess met with pupils from Manor Green School in Maidenhead and Stony Dean School in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, who engaged with interactive tools to learn about erosion, flora and fauna, floodplains and transportation.

Speaking to the BBC, the Rivertime Boat Trust’s Chris Barrett said the museum and the trust has worked together for 15 years, but shared that the initiative’s launch represented a “significant milestone for both parties.”

The River and Rowing Museum in Henley (Image: Unknown)He told the BBC: “It will enable children to develop an understanding of important issues of the day, such as the protection of wildlife, green living, and climate change, in a unique and hands on activity that we hope enriches and inspires them.”

David Worthington, from the museum, told the BBC that having the princess formally launch the programme was “testament to the positive impact that our new joint programme will have on young people and adults with special education needs and disabilities”.

Anne Wadsworth OBE, from Give Them a Sporting Chance, told the BBC she hoped every child who participates in the programme would have a “life-enhancing experience.”

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This story was written by Matthew Norman, he joined the team in 2022 as a Facebook community reporter.

Matthew covers Bicester and focuses on finding stories from diverse communities.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Matthew.norman@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @OxMailMattN1