Princess Anne visits Wirral

3:26pm Thursday 29th May 2008

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THE Princess Royal has visited the Wirral and Cheshire service of HFT, a national charity for people with learning disabilities.

Princess Anne, who is royal patron of HFT, was due to visit service users and their families at 2 HFT's houses in Vicarage Road and Orchard Brow, Little Neston, but bad weather caused her to cancel her helicopter flight and lack of time meant the event had to be changed.

She still managed to visit Vicarage Road before joining HFT staff, service users, local authority guests, HFT fundraisers and volunteers, at a reception held in the Macdonald Craxton Wood Hotel in Ledsham, near Chester.

Entertainment for the royal visitor was provided by Noise Pollution, a drumming group formed by people with learning disabilities who are supported by HFT at the Wirral and Cheshire service.

The group, which has been playing together for three years, made its debut appearance at the Wirral Schools' Musical Service Christmas Performance in December 2007 and performed at the Lord Mayor's Charity Evening in Wallasey Town Hall last month.

Since appearing live Noise Pollution has been involved in running local workshops for children and other people with learning disabilities in the area.

HFT Wirral and Cheshire Service provides a range of support networks for adults with learning disabilities including supported living, residential care and supported employment opportunities.

The HFT community inclusion group facilitates a number of activities including drama, music, sports and IT, many of these sessions run in partnership with local colleges and other community groups.