Earl and countess in return visit to Forfar

THE Earl of Forfar is returning to the town for a third time since 2019.

The Forfar titles are used by Prince Edward and his wife, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, while on duties north of the border.

His first stop will be Strathmore Community Rugby Trust, of which he is royal patron, before heading to Strathmore Cricket Club to view progress on a community skiff being built there.

The earl described the award-winning Community Rugby Trust, which has just celebrated its fifth birthday, as a “brilliant” charity when he agreed to become its royal patron in 2020.

The trust’s pioneering work includes developing sessions for autistic children and unified rugby for adults and youngsters with disabilities.

Trust chairman Stuart Gray said: “We’re greatly looking forward to having His Royal Highness visit the trust again as we mark five years promoting and aiding health and wellbeing for all ages through our rugby-based projects.

“The earl’s enthusiastic support is hugely appreciated and we’re looking forward to telling him about the new projects since his first visit and have him hear from young people he met in 2019 on how the trust has helped them develop into coaches, community project assistants and as individuals.”

Strathmore Cricket Club has given space in a shed for the construction of the community skiff. It is a joint project involving Forfar Rotarians, the town’s sailing club and Men’s Shed.

The hull of the traditional rowing boat has recently been completed, while a second kit has been bought so the boats can be raced on Forfar Loch.

The earl and countess will also visit Gordonstoun School – the alma mater of the late Duke of Edinburgh and his sons, Charles, Andrew and Edward – and the royal couple will also see the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award anniversary garden at Fochabers in Moray.