London,
06
May
2009
|
23:00
Europe/London

Duchess of Cornwall: I Love Hackney

THE Duchess of Cornwall has proudly declared her love for Hackney during a visit to the borough with Prince Charles.

Cllr Ian Rathbone, Speaker of Hackney, presented the Duchess with an I Love Hackney badge and Prince Charles with a borough crest and badge at the start of a visit to Hackney City Farm, in Hackney Road, on 6 May.

The Duchess pinned her badge to her jacket while they toured the Haggerston-based farm to celebrate the work of the national Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens charity, of which the Prince is a patron.

Cllr Rathbone said: "I was surprised and pleased with what happened. I said to them that they were special people - the Prince has supported various Hackney initiatives including the refurbishment of the Hackney Empire. It was good to see that the Duchess was showing her support in front of the world s media."

During the visit the couple met volunteers who cared for the farm s animals and grow plants and vegetables on the site.

Among them was Wilhelmina Hornero, four, who showed the couple how to groom golden Guernsey goats.

The Prince of Wales has visited Hackney schools in the past, including Millfields, and is also a patron of Shoreditch-based charity Business in the Community.