PREPARATIONS are being made to roll out the red carpet in South Lakeland and Eden next month to welcome a royal visitor.


Buckingham Palace has announced that Princess Anne will be visiting locations in Kirkby Stephen, Windermere and Appleby on Tuesday, March 21. 

The Princess Royal, who is Save the Children president, will be visiting the charity’s shop in Windermere to commemorate long-serving members of the team. 


Jean Tolson, Eva Alexander and Margaret Turner will be celebrating their 50th year of volunteering in the shop, while Hilary Sharpe and Edwina Saunders have reached their 40th and 30th milestones respectively.


Regional manager Jackie Kenyon said: “I am very proud of our team and it’s lovely that Princess Anne is able to come join us in our celebrations.” 

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In Kirkby Stephen, the Princess Royal is to visit Kirkby Stephen Grammar School to commemorate its 450th anniversary. 


During her visit, she will meet students from a range of the school’s successful teams, including equestrian, netball, hockey and rugby. 


Head teacher Ruth Houston said: “We are delighted that The Princess Royal can join us to celebrate such an important occasion in the life of our school and the community of Kirkby Stephen.”


The Princess Royal will also visit the headquarters of the Kirkby Stephen Mountain Rescue Team, which operates from the school grounds, meeting team members, learning more about their equipment and about the role the team would play in a major event.


David Stewart, from the Kirkby Stephen MRT, said: “We are very chuffed, excited and honoured about this. It’s our 50th year and this is something different and special to celebrate it with. We are excited to show off our quarters.”


Princess Anne will also be travelling to Warcop, near Appleby, to open the new parish hall, which will replace two ‘tired’ village halls, one in the village and the other at nearby Sandford.


Chairman of the trustees Raymond Bromby said: “The opening of the parish hall by her Royal Highness, the Princess Royal, we believe will pay tribute to all the people in the community who have given their time so freely to help create this superb facility to help others.”