A VERY special visitor arrived at a Hereford college this afternoon to mark their 150th anniversary.
King Charles, who is a patron of Hereford's Royal National College for the Blind, arrived at the site in Venns Lane just before 1pm today (December 12).
Local dignitaries including the Lord Lieutenant for Hereford, Edward Harley, High Sheriff Sarah de Rohan, Mayor of Hereford Mark Dykes, and Hereford and South Herefordshire MP Jesse Norman were on hand to greet the monarch as he arrived at the college.
King Charles visited the RNC in Hereford
First established in London in 1872, the college has been based in Hereford since 1978.
In 1997, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth passed the patronage of the RNC to the then Prince of Wales, who had opened the college’s new Hereford site in 1979.
The King met students, staff and volunteers and watched a demonstration of Blind Football at the specialist college.
King Charles visited the RNC in Hereford. Learning about braillers from student River Fleming
Students including River Fleming were on hand to show him how they learn braille using the Perkins Brailler, a device dating back to the 1950s and still in use today.
Emma Thompson, who is from London, and who has been studying at the college for two years, gave King Charles a demonstration of a more modern version of the kit, a computer brailler.
King Charles visited the RNC in Hereford. Speaking to student Emma Thompson
"It was crazy to speak to the King," Emma said.
"I never thought I would meet royalty!"
King Charles visited the RNC in Hereford. Learning about massage from student Liam Wood
The King was also given a demonstration of tactical maths equipment, which allows students to use touch to help them learn maths, while student Liam Wood, from Southend-on-Sea, who has been at the college for three years, gave a massage demonstration.
He also heard how students are empowered to overcome professional and academic barriers with transformative braille technology, and are offered a broad curriculum including both vocational training and traditional A Levels.
King Charles visited the RNC in Hereford, Speaking to the college blind football team
King Charles was then treated to a demonstration of blind football, in which players use sound to help them play, and spoke to long-serving staff at the college, including teachers and maintenance staff.
King Charles visited the RNC in Hereford, Speaking to the college blind football team
Dozens of staff members and students had assembled in the college's sports hall to see the King, who concluded his visit by unveiling a plaque commemorating the occasion.
He was also given a blind football as a memento by the college.
Speaking to students and staff, King Charles said it was very special to be able to be there to mark 150 years since the college was formed.
King Charles visited the RNC in Hereford. The King delivered a speech to students and staff
"I am sorry it has taken me so many years to return to see you all, although I realise now of course that I didn't recognise any of the buildings because the last time I was here all those years ago it was on the other side of the road," he said.
"In everything I have been shown today, it's been clear that the college is fully committed to the values reflected in its motto; education, employment, empowerment.
"I have much enjoyed meeting some of you and interrupting your very important studies so that you could demonstrate to me what you are learning with braille and with all of the other interesting new technologies that I hope are making life a bit easier for you.
"All of this has been very apparent in the impressive personal confidence and skills demonstrated by the students, and it is hugely encouraging to see how the ethos of the college provides a real preparation for life.
"It has been most moving to experience the supportive atmosphere and sense of community which are so obviously part of life here at the college and are reflected in the long service of the staff, some of whom I am very glad to say I had a moment to meet."
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