Camilla praises Wiltshire's example to others (From This Is Wiltshire)

Camilla praises Wiltshire's example to others

5:34pm Monday 11th May 2009 in

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Villagers in Kington St Michael were paid a special visit by Camilla Duchess of Cornwall today.

Excitement could be felt throughout the village hours before the Duchess of Cornwall arrived in a black Audi outside the village hall, which has just been decked out with brand new flooring in time for the visit.

The Duchess, who is Patron of Community First, was in the village to learn about the charity's activities and meet local people and community groups who use the hall.

It was the last on the list of a number of engagements in Wiltshire for the Duchess today, who has a home in Reybridge, near Lacock.

Wearing a navy blue skirt suit and carrying a snakeskin clutch bag, the Duchess chatted casually with those who had crammed into the hall for the occassion.

Speaking after her tour, the Duchess said: "I would like to congratulate everybody here for the fantastic job they are doing. As you know, I am very, very fond of Wiltshire and I admire a lot about the villages and communities and this is a wonderful example to other villages. I hope others follow in its footsteps.

"It is so important nowadays to have a community in the centre of a village and you are all doing a fantastic job."

Elizabeth Tyzack, 11, a pupil at Hardenhuish School and member of Kington St Michael Youth Club was thrilled to meet the Duchess.

She said: "I was a little bit nervous, but it was nice to meet her. We talked for a short length of time, but I can't really remember what about - mainly about the youth club. She was very friendly."

After being given a tour of the community shop and post point which is run entirely by volunteers, the Duchess made her way outside where she was greeted by a crowd of locals and a group of children from Kington St Michael Primary School waving Union Jack flags.