Prince Harry charms his way across Lancashire

Hundreds braved the wet and windy elements to get a glimpse of royal visitor, as he toured the red rose county calling off on army veterans, flood-hit villagers, a nature reserve and community sports groups.

The Prince was at St Michaels to officially reopen its village hall as well as meet schoolchildren, residents, and members of the close-knit community to learn about the recovery that has been undertaken since the devastation of Storm Desmond in December 2015.

Former chairman of St Michaels Village Hall, Lawrence Turner, said: “It’s been an absolutely magnificent day it’s so exciting. I’ve been trying for months to get someone to official open the new village hall, and that it should be Harry who came here in February last year, it’s an absolute bonus. It means so much to the villagers.”

Prince Harry also called into the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) Sports Arena, visiting the Sir Tom Finney Soccer Development Centre and the Lancashire Bombers Wheelchair Basketball Club.

Greg Dunnings, who recently won gold at the 2017 Invictus Games in Canada, was taking part in the Lancashire Bombers match as Prince Harry arrived.

Greg said: “It’s good to see Invictus is being used as a springboard to carry on the adaptive sport legacy.

“I’m a big believer in adaptive sports and everyone having the opportunity to play.”

The prince was in the county for a day of engagements exploring local projects.

He also spent the day wowing crowds at Veterans UK in Norcross - where he unveiled a commemorative plaque - and Brockholes Nature Reserve - where he spoke to conservationists about their wildlife efforts.

The prince honoured a promise he made almost two years ago when he returned to the flood-hit village of St Michaels on Wyre.

The popular Royal carried out the official re-opening of the village hall, devastated by Storm Desmond on Boxing Day 2015.

And he renewed old friendships he made at the time of the disaster, including 99-year-old resident Winifred Hodgson.

“It was really nice to see him again,” said Winifred. “He remembered me from the last time he visited.

“And he said, ‘I’ll see you again next year’.”

The floods of 2015, caused when a month’s worth of rain fell in just one day, left communities like St Michaels cut off. Prince Harry visited two months later to see the devastation for himself and console the residents.

Crowds turned out to see him, included excited children from St Michaels on Wyre Primary School.

Lawrence Turner, who was chairman of St Michaels on Wyre Village Hall for six years until last Monday, said: “It’s been an absolutely magnificent day, it’s so exciting. I’ve been trying for months to get someone to officially open the new village hall, and that it should be Harry, who came here in February last year, is an absolute bonus. It means so much to the villagers.

“This is the first time anything like this has happened. How am I going to come down from this?”

The 69-year-old added: “I was suffering from survivors’ guilt because my house is four buildings away from here and I missed the flood by inches. I was extremely lucky there but some of our neighbours stopped with us whilst their houses got refurbished.”

Dr Jon Argall, who took over as chairman of the village hall last week, said: “It’s been really pleasant.

“Everyone from the village is out today, even school children got the chance to see him.”

More from the Royal visit

Prince Harry sees conservation projects at Brockholes in Preston - read more

Preston’s sports teams get a royal seal of approval - read more

Harry returns to village flooded by 2015 storm to check recovery progress - read more