Royal visit by The Earl of Wessex launches Surrey Day 2021 celebrations

30th April 2021

Photo: Visit Surrey's Christine Howard, The Earl of Wessex and Kingfisher Farm Shop's Marion McBurney

As the county looks forward to Surrey Day celebrations on Saturday May 1, The Earl of Wessex visited the family-owned Kingfisher Farm Shop in Abinger Hammer today (Friday April 30) to learn about their impressive efforts throughout the pandemic, as well as their hopes for the future.

“We were delighted to welcome The Earl of Wessex to this wonderful family business to hear just some of the stories about how the Surrey community has really come together in challenging times,” says Christine Howard, chairman of the Visit Surrey tourist board, who hosted the royal visit.

“Surrey Day is a celebration of the people and places that make Surrey such a unique county, from the beautiful countryside to the world class attractions and award-winning food and drink producers.

“As such, it is the perfect occasion to thank everyone who has gone above and beyond the call of duty this past year – whether they have been keeping their community fed, worked tirelessly in our schools and hospitals or just been there to help neighbours in need.”

Photo: The Earl of Wessex with Kingfisher Farm Shop's Barrie Arminson

Royal visit to Abinger Hammer

The Earl met members of the Kingfisher Farm Shop team to hear about the challenges they faced throughout the lockdowns, before visiting the watercress beds that the family have been nurturing since 1854.

His Royal Highness then helped to pick the quintessentially English product before joining Jake Pinn, head chef at the neighbouring Abinger Cookery School, to prepare a dish using the ingredient.

“It was an absolute pleasure to welcome The Earl of Wessex today and his visit tops off an unprecedented year for our farm shop,” says Marion McBurney, who runs the business with her 82-year-old father Barrie Arminson.

“Our family are keen champions of local food and drink, so it is fantastic for all our team and the producers who supply us to receive this recognition as part of Surrey Day.”

Photo: The Earl of Wessex picking watercress with Kingfisher Farm Shop's Stuart Rumbold

Surrey Day celebrations

Now in its third year, Surrey Day takes place on the first Saturday in May and, while restrictions mean that it is impossible for large gatherings to take place, there is still plenty taking place to mark the occasion.

A number of buildings in the county, including Guildford Cathedral and the Air Forces Memorial at Runnymede, will be lit green in the evening, while the Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey and past and present High Sheriffs of Surrey are visiting attractions and businesses in the area.

Photo: The Earl of Wessex with the Lord Lord Lieutenant of Surrey, Michael More-Molyneux

“As someone who has lived in this county all my life, I’m hugely proud of the way people have come together through these difficult times,” says the Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey, Michael More-Molyneux.

“Many challenges have been faced and people have had to adapt in ways they could only have imagined just a couple of years ago, but there are positives to be taken out of it all in the way our communities have shown such incredible strength, resilience and compassion.”

Raise a glass to Surrey

For this year’s Surrey Day, everyone is being urged to raise a glass, whether that’s a cup of tea or a flute of sparkling wine, as a salute to all of the amazing people who have kept the county going during these most challenging of times.

There will be a day full of coverage on BBC Radio Surrey and local attractions, businesses and residents are being encouraged to share what they love most about living, working or visiting Surrey on social media using the #SurreyDay hashtag.

• For more information about Surrey Day 2021, visit www.visitsurrey.com/whats-on/surrey-day

Photography by Mark Lewis Photography