PRINCESS Anne has been in the area to unveil a new revolutionary specialist training centre in Falfield.
The Princess Royal toured Eastwood Park, which provides training in a variety of industries including healthcare and engineering.
The new facility allows students to fully immerse themselves in simulated real-life environments including a ‘live’ operating theatre.
Princess Anne was welcomed by Eastwood Park’s CEO John Thatcher on Tuesday, April 4.
She spent time looking around each of the specialist areas, meeting with many of the teachers and training delegates.
The tour of the training centre concluded with an official plaque reveal which will be displayed on the building to commemorate this momentous event.
The Princess Royal also gave a small speech and spoke about how important it was for businesses like Eastwood Park to innovate with modern technology.
Mr Thatcher said: “It was truly wonderful to meet HRH The Princess Royal and show her all of the work we do here at Eastwood Park.
“We are thankful for her time in conducting the official opening.”
The Falfield centre also has a medical gas pipeline system, three types of lifts, high and low voltage labs alongside a large decontamination lab, nine classrooms and a café.
Staff say that more people will now be able to access hands-on training that they would not normally be exposed to other than in their normal working environment, usually a hospital.
Elsewhere, Princess Anne also visited Wickwar to unveil the recently renovated town hall clock.
She also visited Cirencester and Worcester to meet with the Carers Trust and Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regimental Association,
The 200-acre estate at Eastwood Park began life as a home to the distinguished Jenkinson family of Bristol in the 18th century.
Since then it has been used as a training centre by the Home Office during WWII, by the police force, and the NHS.
Its new training centre was built with a vision from the owners and board members who wanted to build a facility where learners could fully immerse themselves in ‘real-life’ simulated environments to ensure the best possible learning experiences.
All photos by Thousand Word Media.
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