Greater Manchester Lieutenancy

HRH The Princess Royal

Leighs Paints, Bolton

HRH The Princess Royal arrived in Bolton on a very sunny afternoon having completed a Royal engagement in the neighbouring county of Lancashire.

The first visit was to Leighs Paints in the heart of Bolton where she was greeted by hundreds of children from the nearby Bolton Parish Church Primary School who were holding a day remembering the Vicotorian era and both children and teachers alike were dressed in Victorian clothing.  The children waved flags as the Princess drove into the company car park.

HRH was greeted by the Chairman, Mr Brian Leigh-Bramwell as can be seen to the right, before being escorted on a tour of the factory.  The Princess saw how the specialised paint was produced and made fire-retardent, a vital factor in the safety of the new stadia.  After a most enjoyable visit the Princess left to the cheers of the children.

Watsons Steel Structures, Bolton

The sun continued to shine as The Princess arrived at the Watsons site near the Reebok Stadium, Horwich.  She was greeted by the Managing Director, Mr Peter Emerson, before hearing a briefing on the company.

HRH then toured the factory meeting employees who, like the visit to Leighs, had been with the same company for in excess of 45 years. The princess talked at length with men and women engaged in welding and the fabrication of huge steel structures destined for many different parts of the world including the Olympic site and St Pancras Railway Station in London.

Before leaving the site HRH met some of the apprentices and bade farewell to the Mayor and Mayoress