The Prince of Wales returns to Burnley
Posted 11th February 2010 15:58pm by Alison Duguid
HRH The Prince of Wales returned to Burnley earlier this month to hear about the progress made by his charities which are working towards the social, economic and environmental regeneration of the Lancashire town.
Ten of The Prince's Charities are now involved in the partnership with Burnley Borough Council and other local organisations as part of a long-term commitment to the development of the town. The partnership has been supported by the North West Regional Development Agency, The British Asian Trust and Lancashire County Council and The Altajir Trust.
The Prince's tour began with a visit to Turf Moor, the home of Burnley Football Club, where His Royal Highness heard from young people who have been working with The Prince's Trust and Business in the Community. The Prince's Trust and Burnley FC have joined forces to run the Get Started with Football programme, which aims to motivate unemployed young people through the sport.
The Prince then visited the Burnley College/University of Central Lancashire Campus to learn from staff and students about work The Prince's School of Traditional Arts is doing in the field of traditional arts and crafts.
During a lunchtime reception at Towneley Hall, His Royal Highness met with key business and community leaders as well as receiving an update on work to regenerate the Weavers' Triangle. The Prince's Foundation for the Built Environment and The Prince's Regeneration Trust have joined the Weavers' Triangle working group to help Burnley Borough Council lead a long term plan to regenerate the historic canal area of the town.
The tour rounded off with visits to Cherry Fold Primary School and Fraser Street Youth Centre, both of which have been supported by Business in the Community.
During the visit, a new initiative within the partnership was unveiled by NHS East Lancashire which has joined forces with The Prince's Charities in Burnley to promote volunteering. NHS East Lancashire Chair, Kathy Reade and Dame Julia Cleverdon, Director of The Prince’s Charities in Burnley, signed a pledge to encourage and increase volunteering opportunities in and around Burnley.
The aim of the partnership will be for health service staff to share their knowledge and skills with Burnley’s young people, in a bid to help young people identify opportunities for employment and future careers.
Speaking to guests assembled at Towneley Hall, The Prince said: "I take great notice in this town because of the wonderful people in Lancashire and also I believe in investing in the future. We cannot do it without bringing in all sorts of sympathetic people who can share in that vision. I look forward to continue taking an interest in Burnley."
