The Queen and Prince Charles set for historic Burnley visit

BURNLEY is all set to receive a trio of Royal visitors when the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh and HRH the Prince of Wales come to town in just over a week’s time.

The town has the honour of receiving the three most senior Royals in this special Diamond Jubilee year and will be flying the flags and bunting on Wednesday, May 16th, to welcome them.

It is unusual for all three Royals to visit one place at the same time, so the town is especially honoured to have been chosen to host the visit as Her Majesty tours the country to celebrate 60 years on the throne.

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The Royal visitors will be welcomed by the Mayor of Burnley, Coun. David Heginbotham, in his final duty before he hands over his chain of office.

He said: “It’s a great honour for Burnley that Her Majesty has chosen to visit us as part of the nationwide Diamond Jubilee tour.

“I know Burnley people will give The Queen, The Duke and The Prince of Wales the warmest of welcomes and it will be a great day for our town.

“The Prince of Wales has become a regular visitor to Burnley and I know our town is close to his heart. This visit will be an opportunity for The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh to see Burnley’s historic heart as they travel through the Weavers’ Triangle, and to see Burnley’s future as they learn more about the regeneration of the borough.”

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The Royal party will visit the Weavers’ Triangle and Victoria Mill which is to become the North-West’s first University Technical College, the UCLAN/Burnley College campus in Princess Way and then on to Turf Moor, home of Burnley FC and the University College of Football Business, the first university of its kind in the UK to offer football-focussed business degrees.

Burnley FC Chairman Barry Kilby said: “It is a fantastic honour for Burnley Football Club to be hosting Her Majesty the Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh.

“To host the Royal couple for lunch at the football club, which is very much the heart of the town, is a privilege and an honour.

“This is The Queen’s only visit to Lancashire as part of her Diamond Jubilee year tour of the country, so to know they will spend time at the football club is very special.”

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Council leader Charlie Briggs said: “I’m very much looking forward to welcoming the Royal party to Burnley – it’s a great honour for me but more importantly it’s great for local people and I’m sure they will be out in force to honour our Queen.

“Burnley has a great story to tell and the fact that The Queen, The Duke and The Prince of Wales are all going to be here at the same time reflects that. Prince Charles knows Burnley, and particularly the Weavers’ Triangle, very well through his many visits in recent years and I’m sure The Queen will be just as fascinated by Burnley’s history and the way that’s being brought back to life and regenerated for the 21st Century.”

Coun. Julie Cooper, leader of the Labour group on the council, added: “It’s going to be a very special day for Burnley. I’m sure there will be large crowds of well-wishers out with their flags to mark the occasion and to wish The Queen well on her Diamond Jubilee.”

Burnley College principal Hugh Bramwell added: “It is a huge honour to have been chosen to host the Royal party at the College after hosting HRH The Prince of Wales two years ago. We are delighted to showcase our outstanding facilities and to give our students a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet the Queen and the Duke. Our advanced level students will be able to demonstrate their skills and abilities in areas such as advanced manufacturing, furniture, fashion and sport”.

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University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) Vice-Chancellor Malcolm McVicar said: “Students and staff as well as some of the region’s key business leaders, are hugely excited at the prospect of meeting Her Majesty the Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh. We have planned a tour of facilities and activities which will give a real taster of why university education has been such a success story in Burnley.

“Talented students are about to graduate from the Campus with vocational degrees geared to the skills needs of local business and industry. During the tour the Royal couple will see how graduate energy and expertise is set to make its mark and help grow the local economy.”