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Prince Charles – or the Duke of Rothesay, as he’s known when paying a visit north of the border – has visited Scotland’s Ballater Caravan Park, in Aberdeenshire. The Prince toured the park and met with residents during yesterday’s trip (28 April).
The park, first opened in the 1950s, has recently been taken over by Ballater Community Enterprise (BCE). The charitable organisation aims to carry out projects on the site to boost the local economy, an endeavour that will certainly be helped by Prince Charles’ visit.
HRH is currently staying just 45 minutes away at Balmoral and, during the visit, met with many of the park’s residents including 100 year old Alexander Alexander, known locally as ‘Double Sandy’. Mr. Alexander worked at the park when it first opened over 60 years ago, and joined the Prince in planting a tree within the park grounds to commemorate his visit.
The centenarian recalled his time spent at Ballater Caravan Park, saying: “I’ve seen so many changes here since I helped clear the site in the ’50s. It was just me and my boss at the time, then before you know it, it’s expanding. It’s so great for the village.”
Among the other residents the Prince met was a young family from New Zealand who are currently traveling around the world, working as wardens in caravan parks. Dave Monk, his wife Rachel, and their two sons Dylan, aged 7, and Lewis, aged 5, were thrilled to meet a member of the royals, with Mr. Monk commenting: “Kate and William (the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge) just visited our home town, and now we’ve got the future king of New Zealand here too. It’s been great, and the kids have been excited.”
We wonder if any of our readers would enjoy working their way around the world via caravan parks?
