Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall today went to the opticians – for National Literacy Trust projects in Peterborough.
The Duchess began her day at a mini-literature festival in Peterborough Cathedral, the church in which Catherine of Aragon – Henry VIII’s first wife – is buried. Joined by 300 children, they listened to storytelling and poetry sessions, which were led by local author Guy Bass and poet Francesca Beard.
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall arriving at a National Literacy Trust literature festival at Peterborough Cathedral. Picture by Stephen Lock / i-Images
Reading is something Camilla, 68, is passionate about, and she supports a number of literacy schemes through her work with the trust.
She also presented certificates to winners of a creative writing competition called ‘Our Stories: Celebrating Peterborough’s Cultural Diversity’, perhaps apt having attended the British Asian Trust dinner last night with Prince Charles.
First prize went to 11-year-old Ali Ejaz Abbas for his tale, ‘The Basant Festival’, while second prize was for ‘The Hen and the Golden Eggs’ by Kissya Da Silva, aged 10.
Next on the agenda was to Boots Opticians in the city centre, which is a partner of the National Literacy Trust. The trust runs projects in the poorest communities and aims to make literacy a priority for politicians, parents and support schools.
During the visit, she happily tried on a pair of green frog glasses alongside 4-year-old patient who was receiving an eye test. The opticians works with the trust to promote the connection between eye health and literacy.
Later on, the Duchess joined partners, volunteers and families at a reception hosted at the Town Hall,to hear stories involving Peterborough’s position as one of three National Literacy Trust Hubs.
Peterborough supports families and young people learning English as an additional language, and launched the summer Pop-Up Literacy Shop – which helped more than 1,200 people with their literacy questions and concerns – distribute £10,000 worth of books.
