THE Princess Royal visited Newton Abbot this week during a whistlestop tour of Devon. At noon precisely her helicopter touched down at Stover School, having ferried the princess from Bideford. Guests at Dame Hannah Rogers at Seale-Hayne waited patiently in the quadrangle for their royal visitor to arrive. Minutes later the limousine drew up and Princess Anne was greeted by Dame Hannah Rogers Trust chief executive Bronwen Hewitt, Newton Abbot mayor Cllr Carol Bunday and her consort Cllr Mike Hocking. Posies were presented by nine-year-old Jade Watts, the daughter of two members of staff, and Nicola Roberts, who works in the cafe. Then two disabled members of the Dame Hannah community, who played her pre-recorded welcome messages, met the princess.

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