HRH The Prince of Wales visits Somerville College, Oxford Botanic Garden, Mini Plant, Oxford

HRH The Prince of Wales’ first visit in Oxford was to Somerville College.  Founded in 1879, Somerville was one of the first colleges for women at the University but it was only in 1920 that women students were allowed to graduate with full degrees.  HRH was met by Tim Stevenson who introduced him to Baroness Royall of Blaisdon, the Principal of the College before being given a tour of the Fellows Garden, where he met Professor Fiona Stafford, Professor of English Language and Literature and Tutorial Fellow, Sophie Walwin, the Head Gardener and Steve Johnson, the Estates Manager. HRH was then introduced to Dr Jane Robinson, a social historian and author, and Dr Anne Manuel, the College’s librarian.  Dr Robinson and Dr Manuel talked to HRH about the role of the College and its members in campaigning for the rights of women at Oxford.       

Over tea, HRH met scholars from the Oxford India Centre for Sustainable Development where he heard about the work being done by the Oxford-India partnership, a ground-breaking initiative that aims to advance knowledge of the complex challenges and opportunities associated wt. sustainable development in India.  HRH was then given the opportunity to meet members of Somerville College’s Sustainability Working Group, which brings together academics, support staff and students to focus on the College’s sustainability goals.  Before leaving, HRH planted a small tree in the Darbishire Quadrangle.

HRH’s next visit was to the Oxford Botanic Garden to mark its 400th anniversary in the UK.  Received by Brian Buchan, HRH was introduced to Professor Louise Richardson, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Anne Trefethen, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Gardens, Libraries and Museums, Professor Simon Hiscock, Oxford Botanic Garden Director, Mrs Sarah Taylor, Chair of the Friends of Oxford Botanic Garden, Professor Richard Mayou, Former Chair, and Mr Mark Brent, Curator and Head of Horticulture.

HRH was invited to plant a tree which has been grown from a seed of an original black pine planted in the 1830s.The original tree was much loved by JRR Tolkien and split in two in 2014.HRH toured the Walled Garden where he met two of the Botanic Garden’s longest serving horticulturalists, Mrs Claire Kelly who has worked there for 34 years and Mr Richard East who has worked there for 30 years, before making his way to the Conservatory where he viewed two special plants from the Glasshouse collections.HRH was told by Dr Christopher Thorogood, Deputy Director and Head of Science how these plants are relevant to the Botanic Garden’s priorities of research, teaching, conservation and public engagement.

To celebrate twenty years of MINI production, HRH visited the MIINI Plant in Cowley where he met members of the team that has been closely involved in the recent integration of the MINI Electric onto the same production line as the existing conventionally driven vehicles and heard about the BMW Group’s commitment to sustainability.  HRH was met on arrival by Tim Stevenson, who introduced him to Mr Peter Weber, the Plant Director.  Mr Weber briefed HRH on the Plant’s 20 year history and the Group’s sustainability goals before HRH went on a tour of the Assembly line. 

HRH then met three apprentices demonstrating Augmented Reality Welding.  The Plant currently has 130 apprentices working there.

HRH learned about the MINI Electric and how the model has been so well-received by customers that production is due to double in 2021, before being given the opportunity to view the electric vehicle.  Mr Weber then introduced HRH to members of the MINI team whose families have worked at the plant over a number of generations. 

HRH was invited to drive a MINI Electric a short distance before he unveiled a plaque to commemorate his visit.