Countess visits new factory
ROYALTY was in Staffordshire once again yesterday as The Countess of Wessex visited a new multi-million pound JCB factory in Uttoxeter.
As patron of the NSPCC, the Countess was warmly welcomed to JCB for a double engagement – to officially open a new £100 million factory and to receive a £300,000 cheque for the children’s charity.
The Countess visited JCB Cab Systems in Uttoxeter and during a tour, Her Royal Highness was given an insight into the hi-tech manufacturing plant complete with its computer-controlled production line and rainwater harvesting and heat capture systems. She later received a cheque for £300,000 for the NSPCC after a successful employee fundraising campaign.
Her visits came the day after Prince William had also been in East Staffordshire. He was at St George’s Park to visit the England football team on Monday night on the eve of Gareth Southgate and his squad flying out to Qatar for the World Cup.
JCB Chairman Anthony Bamford and his wife Carole welcomed the Countess to the plant and during the visit, she unveiled a plaque on the shop floor to the applause of hundreds of employees who had gathered to watch the occasion.