Prince Charles

His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales is a patron of the Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens. They visited Hackney City Farm on 6 May to celebrate the work and achievements of city farms and community gardens.

Prince Charles and Camilla impressed by Hackney City Farm

Gustavo Montes De Oca

There was a buzz around the farm on May the 6th and it wasn't all down to the new queen bees installed in the hives. A different kind of royalty altogether graced the Hackney City Farm on the sunny Wednesday morning.

Both Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of York, paid a visit to the former brewery which now teems with plant and animal life. Their visit, during the year the farm marks its quarter century of existence, coincided with a meeting of the Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens (FCFCG).

Chris Pounds led the royal couple on a lively tour of the farm. Prince Charles and the Duchess both took time to talk to the vibrant community of volunteers, Key Stage 4 pupils and staff involved. Sporting an 'I heart Hackney badge', Camilla petted a guinea pig in the main yard before venturing past the massive pigs.

The Prince was welcomed to the polytunnel by planting volunteers and one sleeping baby. He saw where many of the plants which blossom and fruit throughout the farm start their life.

Reaching the biodiesel reactor he commented that his own Aston Martin runs on white wine leftovers and expressed his support for the idea of using waste material again and again.

The Royal Couple noted the bicycle powered DVD player, admiring its potential for use as an educational resource.

Their tour was completed with a visit to the straw bale building, which is in the process of having lambs' wool insulation installed to improve its energy efficiency.

Later, following the unveiling of the magnificent wooden plaque, the Royal couple were presented with chilli and rose plants, echoing the theme of the FCFCG Chillies & Roses booklet which highlighted the use of city farms and community gardens as places where diverse ethnic communities are celebrated.

They also received honey harvested the previous day from the bee hives which are now settling into new queens.

With their departure, which seemed as swift as their arrival, the farm began the gradual process of returning to normal. But not before bubbly and some of the delicious leftovers from Frizzante were consumed.

Over the fizz, which sparkled brighter than most days in the sun, the volunteers discussed the Prince's commitment to a holistic lifestyle. Projects like the farm play a part in reconnecting people to the outdoors, the cycle of life and to each other