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12:16:00 o'clock BST
HRH visits an environmental charity in Kennington, South London
12th June 2007
The Prince of Wales explored an inner city wildlife garden in South London today as he visited an environmental charity which helps disadvantaged youngsters.
The Prince toured the Roots and Shoots Centre in Kennington which serves disadvantaged and marginalized young people by providing them with vocational skills, a flexible programme of English, Maths and IT and a gentle introduction into the world of work.
Up to 20 young people, aged between 16 and 19, spent a year at Roots and Shoots learning skills in horticulture, retail and other areas to contribute towards an NVQ Level One qualification.
His Royal Highness was visiting to help the organisation celebrate its 25th anniversary and to officially open the new eco-centre.
The Prince toured the one acre site with Linda Phillips, founder and manager of Roots and Shoots.
The new eco-centre is built in wood from sustainable sources, with sheep’s wool insulation.
It has a sedum roof and photovoltaic panels, generating all the charity’s own electricity with some left over to sell through the National Grid.
Rainwater is collected for the WCs and to water plants and the building includes insect and bird boxes.
The Prince also visited the shop which is integrated with the retail training course therefore benefiting the trainees as well as the local community.
The Prince chatted with volunteers and was shown some of the apple juice pressed and bottled on site and honey from the beehives.
During his tour, The Prince walked in between the long grass of the wild meadow and through the sprawling roses and other flowers in the half-acre garden.
His Royal Highness watched as David Perkins, who works in the meadow, helped primary school youngsters search for grasshoppers with magnifying glasses.
The Prince was shown a green beetle and peered into the small overgrown field looking for the insects.
His Royal Highness also met beekeeper Clive Watson, who cares for the hives at the centre in Kennington. The Prince was told that Mr Watson never uses gloves when handling the bees.
The Prince, who has his own bees at Highgrove, was very interested and asked Mr Watson: "Have you got a lot of bees?"
The Prince joined a small reception under the walnut tree where he said a few words and unveiled a plaque to open the new ‘eco friendly’centre.
His Royal Highness praised Roots and Shoots for its "marvellous" work after meeting the youngsters involved.
Roots and Shoots, which is celebrating its 25th Anniversary, will open this weekend for the National Gardens Scheme, with a producers' market on Sunday.
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