King Charles Engages with Rural Community in Lancashire Visit
King Charles received a warm welcome during his visit to Clitheroe Auction Mart in Lancashire on Monday, where he engaged with local farmers and was reminded of his mother's cherished pony. The monarch toured the livestock area on a non-market day, speaking to farmers who showcased rare breed sheep and cattle, highlighting the enduring significance of the rural sector.
Historical Auction Mart and Rural Support Services
Livestock trading in Clitheroe dates back to 1499, with the current market established in 1897, serving the Ribble Valley and Forest of Bowland. Charles explored the mart's rural business centre, where farmers can access land agents, financial advisers, and legal services. He also met representatives from the Field Nurses charity, which provides drop-in health checks and mental wellbeing support at auction marts across Lancashire and South Cumbria.
Richard Schofield, founder of Field Nurses, explained the charity's mission: "We have a nurse in an auction mart every week. You don't need an appointment. You just go and see them." He noted the high suicide rate in farming and how the service has intervened in medical emergencies, directing farmers to hospitals when needed. Trustee Roger Dugdale added, "A lot of farmers are isolated and work on their own. They haven't time to go to the GP, but they all go to the auction mart. It's a social occasion."
Emotional Moment with Fell Pony Pearl
In the auction ring, Charles met Fell pony Pearl, who is related on her sire's side to Emma, the black Fell pony that appeared at the late Queen's funeral. Pearl was bred by Rossendale farmers Andrew and Michelle Thorpe, who gifted her as a wedding present to their nephew Ben and his wife Eleanor. Ben Thorpe remarked, "She is part of the family, like having a dog."
Addressing Challenges in the Farming Sector
During the visit, Charles unveiled a plaque and addressed the crowd, acknowledging the vital role of rural and farming sectors. He said, "I promise you I know only too well how vital the rural sector and the farming sector is to this country. Having started the Countryside Fund nearly 20 years ago, I hope that is at least contributing to some degree to the welfare and I hope also the adaptability of farmers to the endless complications and challenges you have to meet."
He added, "Thank God is all I can say for marts like this and all the people associated with it like the field nurses and everybody else. So I can only hope you have as successful a coming season as possible, weather permitting, climate change permitting and anything else. It is remarkable how you manage." His speech was met with rapturous applause.
Visit to Historic Samlesbury Hall
Later, Charles visited Samlesbury Hall near Preston, becoming the first monarch to tour the 701-year-old medieval manor house, now preserved by a trust. On arrival, he was greeted by two shire horses, Thunder and Regal, pulling a dray for local brewer Daniel Thwaites, established in 1807. He chatted with horsewoman Beverley Holland and colleagues Jonathan Jones and Richard Green.
Inside, Charles met archivist, trustees, and volunteers responsible for maintaining the Grade-I listed building, founded around 1325 by Gilbert de Southworth. Saved from demolition in 1925, the hall features original timber frames in the Great Hall, a chapel, Tudor extensions, and priest holes reflecting the Catholic faith of the Southworth family.
Jason Karl, a trustee, showed the King artefacts including a large oak timber from 1325. Karl noted, "I think he was most interested in the Roman Catholic history of the house and the Southworth family."
Nostalgic Encounter with Local Community
The King also spoke with Ishwer Tailor and his wife Urhila from the Gujarat Hindu Society in Preston, which he visited in 1981 as Prince Charles. Tailor showed photos of the then-prince playing snooker with local youths, prompting laughter from Charles. "He potted one, he was quite happy," Tailor recalled.
Sharon Jones, chief executive of Samlesbury Hall, expressed her delight: "I am absolutely thrilled by the delightfulness of the gentleman. It is a great honour, isn't it? He did say how much he loved old buildings."
Brief Heckling Incident
Earlier in the day, Charles was briefly heckled outside Clitheroe train station when a man shouted, "How long have you known about Andrew?" The rest of the crowd booed in response, but the incident did not overshadow the overall positive reception during his Lancashire engagements.
