SUNSHINE and soaring temperatures greeted Princess Anne on her latest visit to North East Lincolnshire.
Yesterday the Princess Royal was given an hour-long tour of the Cherry Garth campsite in Humberston.
During her visit she met some of the 90 St John Ambulance cadets and 30 adult leaders who are holding their summer camp at the site.
She arrived shortly after 3pm after being driven from King George playing fields in Cleethorpes where she had arrived by helicopter.
The princess was greeted on her arrival at the campsite by several dignitaries. They included Lord Lieutenant of Lincolnshire Tony Worth, High Sheriff of Lincolnshire Toby Dennis, Mayor of North East Lincolnshire Peggy Elliott, north east regional director for St John Ambulance Simon Dunn, chairman of the Grimsby and Cleethorpes Scout District Christopher Jones, and the district commissioner of Grimsby and Cleethorpes Scout District Mike Waters.
She was then taken around the site by Dr Philip O'Donnell, the regional youth manager for St John Ambulance, who introduced her to the cadets.
The youngsters told the Princess about the variety of activities they have been taking part in during their week-long stay, and their experiences of putting their first aid skills to good use.
At the end of her tour the cadets gathered to pose for a photograph with their royal visitor, and one of them presented her with a special gift, a framed photograph of the cadets on camp.
The group then gave the Princess a send-off fit for a royal, chanting "hip-hip hooray" as she made her way towards her car.
The cadets and leaders have been staying on the campsite all week, taking part in various activities such as pioneering, archery and cooking.
They have descended on Humberston from across the north east of England. However, the local unit from North East Lincolnshire is not among the groups present.
Dr O'Donnell said it had been a nice surprise to find out the camp would be receiving a royal visitor.
He said: "The young people found out when they arrived on camp. There has definitely been a lot of excitement on the camp, as well as quite a lot of nerves."
Rebecca Cruxton, 17, the St John Ambulance's national cadet of the year, was among the first to meet the Princess Royal.
She said: "It was brilliant to meet Princess Anne. I have met her before so I didn't have too many nerves.
"She just asked me what I had been doing on camp – just general chit-chat. I thought it would be quite formal but she was very easy to speak to. She's just a nice lady.
"It's the first time I have been to this campsite and I have loved every minute of it. It's not every day you get to meet Princess Anne."
ON THE WEB: See more photographs and video from Princess Anne's visit at www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk
