THE Duke of Kent officially opened a innovative archive building in Hereford.

The Herefordshire Archive and Records Centre (HARC) is set within the Rotherwas Enterprise Zone and provides ideal storage conditions for the county's historical documents for generations to come.

The Duke of Kent, who is a cousin to both The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh, officially opened the building in Fir Tree Lane last Thursday and unveiled a plaque.

He was welcomed by the Lord-Lieutenant Lady Darnley, the High Sheriff Edward Harley, chairman of Herefordshire Council Brian Wilcox and chief executive of Herefordshire Council, Alastair Neill.

Elizabeth Semper O’Keefe, collections and archive manager at HARC, together with Mr Harley, also in his role as president of the Friends of the Record Office, showed the Duke around the energy efficient building.

Mrs Semper O'Keefe said they felt very honoured to be involved in the royal visit.

She said: "The Duke chatted with many of the staff based at the brand new, award-winning HARC and enjoyed a tour of the purpose-built facility, meeting volunteers and members of the public, before officially opening the building by unveiling a plaque.

"The visit was thoroughly enjoyed by all involved and a memory we will all cherish for the future.”

The Duke also visited Arctic Circle Limited in Rotherwas Industrial Estate, which is a privately owned British manufacturer of innovative low carbon solutions for the heat transfer market.

He also visited the Hereford Cathedral School Choirs and met the Walking with the Wounded tour at Whitecross School (see page 3).