Royal walkabout warms village residents
Wednesday, 4 February 2009
The Prince of Wales meets Lindy Reid Secretary of the Ballyclare Historical Society during his visit to Ballyclare
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The postmaster who has spent half a century serving the community of Glenarm last night described meeting the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall as the “highlight” of his career.
The Prince and the Duchess spent several hours visiting the picturesque Co Antrim village yesterday, with William T Pullins playing host.
Mr Pullins, who is due to retire this year, said: “I’ve been here for 50 years and 28 years as postmaster. I took over from my father and I was born and bred in this building.
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“I was talking to Camilla more than Prince Charles and she was asking me about my charity work. I collect money for Great Ormond Street Hospital and she said I’m doing a great job. It was the highlight of my career.”
The arrival of the Royal couple in a black Bentley with six police motorcycle outriders was delayed by half an hour but that did not discourage local residents from braving the freezing temperatures to catch a glimpse of the pair. And the weather did not deter the Prince and the Duchess from strolling through the main street of the village meeting and chatting with local people.
Prince Charles, wearing a long tweed coat, and Camilla, dressed in a dark green coat with a brown checked scarf and knee-high black patent boots, delighted the crowd with their down-to-earth manner.
David Morrow, 9, and Stewart Morrow, 10, were both lucky enough to shake hands with the royal couple.
Speaking after the meeting, Andree Morrow, mother of Stewart, said: “Waiting out in the cold to see them was definitely worth it. They asked the boys why they weren’t in school and they explained that they took a half day so they could come and see them. We didn’t think this was something we would ever see again in our lifetime.”
David Robinson said: “The visit is great for Glenarm and it was worth the wait to meet them. I have to say I think they were both very down to earth.”
The couple also spent some time looking around a local jewellery workshop where owners Bill and Christina Steenson showed them a range of locally-produced gold and silver pieces.
When the Prince met The Priests
Gary Grattan joined the Royal couple and superstar clergy during an extra special day for the people of Ballyclare
The Royals with singing priests Eugene O'Hagan, Martin O'Hagan and David Delargy in BallyclareThree singing priests, two Royals and an enthusiastic crowd made it a day to remember in Ballyclare yesterday.
On their second engagement of the day, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall visited the east Antrim market town's Community Concerns centre where they had the opportunity to meet and hear a short musical piece performed by world-renowned singing group The Priests, whose debut album has sold over a million copies.
One of the trio, Fr Eugene O'Hagan, is the parish priest in Ballyclare and has been a director of the centre for the past four years.
“It's been a very special day. The Prince himself said some very kind words at the end about the music we have captured and wished us well for the future —and the Duchess likewise,” he said.
“They each got a signed copy of the album. It was certainly a pleasure for us and hopefully it'll be a pleasure for them as well,” he said. Several hundred people lined the road outside the centre to welcome the VIP visitors.
They responded by going on a prolonged walkabout, chatting and shaking hands with many in the crowd.
Ballyclare Community Concerns (BCC) now has purpose-built premises at Foundry House.
It helps statutory bodies and business and community organisations in the delivery of educational and social events.
The Royal guests visited the special needs unit and met a number of adults with learning difficulties.
They were then introduced to The Priests — the other two members are Fr Martin O'Hagan from Cushendun and Fr David Delargy from west Belfast.
Two local children who attend the Reactions Drama Group — Christy Grattan and Aimee Gilmour — presented the Royal couple with gifts.
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Okay mickey, sorry juicer, whatever you say...
Posted by Plum | 06.02.09, 14:57 GMT
Plum - all you ever do is write silly silly boy or copy somone else's comments. Time you were made into a plum pudding.
Posted by juicer | 06.02.09, 13:27 GMT
There are always some who are pro-monarchy, up with the pointless establishment, yawwwn bore bore. How radical - no one's ever thought of that before!
Posted by Plum | 05.02.09, 19:40 GMT
Unlike northern ireland they put far more into the UK economy than take out. A good example to all. Shame their isnt a tourist draw like them over here! There are always some who are anti-monarchy, down with the establishment yawwwn bore bore. How radical- no ones ever thought of that before!?
Posted by David O'Connor | 05.02.09, 14:00 GMT
Oh Mickey you're so fine, you're so fine you blow my mind!
I agree with you. And there was always going to be someone on griping about anything any of the Royal family do. Par for the course.
Posted by Minnie | 05.02.09, 12:54 GMT
@ Mickey
You are taking yet another hiding on this one Mickey.
In fairness it is not completley accurate to say that Charles has never done anything important. I would argue that the Princes Trust is a fine organisation. However the rest of them are just bludgers.
Posted by Alan | 05.02.09, 02:02 GMT
Mickey - there's something that's been niggling at me for some time now - and please don't take it the wrong way. But how exactly do you manage to type so well in a straightjacket?
just wondering Houdini
Posted by erasmus | 04.02.09, 23:42 GMT
Mickey, if you feel like following your own advice I'd suggest the fine country of Germany as your destination of choice.
I've only been there once myself but Charles & Co have strong links with the fatherland so it must be good!
Posted by Farrah | 04.02.09, 19:15 GMT
“They each got a signed copy of the album. Like everything else they own, it was given to them, whereas, we the taxpayers have to pay for our pleasures. How nice of the Prince to say a few kind words. We can all sleep at night now even though we face uncertain times.
Posted by Earl | 04.02.09, 18:11 GMT
With all respect to Mr Pullins, I can't for the life of me understand his comment “highlight” of his career when meeting them. If it was Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu or Mother Teresa that he met, who have contributed something to the world, I would agree, but not for someone who's family has never worked a day in their life and has only been a burden on the taxpayers of Britian and are the biggest welfare case in the world.
Yes, Mickey, I am confident you will comment, but like all the other fools , you have been brainwashed in believing that these people have your interests at heart while sticking their hand in your pocket.
As to the UK taxpayer wishing to contribute a few pennies to the Royal visit, perhaps the Royal Family, in these tough economical times should be postponing these trips and taking a cut from the stipend they receive from the public purse. Afterall, Aren't we all being asked to play our part. are they any different?
Posted by Earl | 04.02.09, 17:44 GMT
Too right Mickey, I think it has been proven beyond doubt that the royal family bring in more money into the country than take out and they work a damn site harder and more hours and travelling than the vast majority of people.
No offence, but if i had their wealth I would be spending 3 months of the winter in the caribbean NOT going on day trips to northern ireland to see things I guess I dont particularly want to see- but they have to do these things.
Posted by soarer | 04.02.09, 16:25 GMT
Is it Jersey, Guernsey or maybe Sark, mickey? You silly silly, yet remarkably predictable, boy.
Posted by Plum | 04.02.09, 15:58 GMT
what a lovely couple loyal to the crown what a waste of tax money when everybody else struggling
Posted by ray .. usa | 04.02.09, 15:29 GMT
If a UK tax-payer doesn't wish to contribute a few pennies to a Royal visit, I suggest that UK tax-payer moves to somewhere where they would not have to.
I can think of somewhere fairly close to hand too.
Posted by mickey | 04.02.09, 15:29 GMT
So, at a time of pressure on the public purse, exactly how many 10's of thousands of pounds did the tax payer fork out for this little trip?
Posted by Mike | 04.02.09, 14:19 GMT
At least one of the advantages of this visit was that the local council employees were out lifting litter in what must be one of the most litter prone areas in Europe - that is, Northern Ireland.
Posted by robbo | 03.02.09, 16:14 GMT