Royal visit to gardening social enterprise

22:42 21st January 2009

A Lincolnshire scheme which helps "at-risk" youths learn gardening and woodworking skills recently had the honour of a royal visit.

Charles, the Prince of Wales, visited the Hill Hold Wood social enterprise and chatted with rangers and youngsters as he planted a commemorative tree, according to the Press Association.

Also in attendance were local council representatives, the lord lieutenant of Lincolnshire and Hill Hold Wood CEO Karen Lowthrop, who told the news provider that the project helped the youths develop skills they might otherwise never learn.

"By social deprivation a lot of them have not had a connection with anything before," Ms Lowthrop said.

"What they have here is a connection. We plant trees, we feed and water them and they blossom and grow. We put that idea into the young people who come here."

Prince Charles is known for his love of horticulture and last year bought 1,000 rare apple trees to make jam, chutney and juice.

Meanwhile, the Lancashire Telegraph reports that a Lancashire farmer plans to erect a 50,000 sq m greenhouse to help grow vegetables all year round.