Latest News
Royal Visit
We were delighted to welcome TRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall to The Alvanley Arms Inn on Thursday 19th July 2007.
The Prince and The Duchess had spent the afternoon with Alistair and Janet looking around the award-winning Cotebrook Shire Horse Centre and were invited to The Alvanley Arms for afternoon tea.
They enjoyed looking around our 400 year old coaching Inn and the Prince was delighted to see a picture of King George V, his great grandfather, overseeing his own bred shire horse, Field Marshall V at the London Show in 1927.
Also on display was a photograph of His Royal Highness, taken 30 years ago, at the Royal Show with Arthur Gardner who was Alistairs mentor and taught him all he knew about shire horses.
Alistair said “I offered The Prince some refreshment and he enjoyed a glass of Robinsons Unicorn whilst chatting with a few of my shire horse friends in the bar. As this years president of the Shire Horse Society he was keen to talk about horses and shows”
Janet remarked “The Duchess looked lovely. She was very slim and attractive and very chatty. They both have a great sense of humour and we all enjoyed the afternoon immensely”
Head Chef Damien said “What a privilege and an honour to serve Their Royal Highnesses and guests. We prepared freshly baked bread sandwiches, canapés and delicate chocolate petit fours, using local suppliers and put together by my dedicated chef brigade.”
All the staff were involved in the preparations before hand. “I especially enjoyed the build up to the day and the anticipation of the Royal couple arriving” said Ange who served The Prince with his beer. Kathy felt “it was such an honour to be serving the Royal couple and I enjoyed the great atmosphere that The Prince and Camilla brought with them.” Owen added that “the day will stay in my memory for a long time to come”
The Duchess retired for a short while to our Shire room (maybe they will come back and stay sometime!) and remarked how nice the accommodation was.
As the Royal couple left they were presented with a posy and a DVD about Cotebrook Shire Horse Centre. Hopefully it will be a reminder of a memorable day out in Cotebrook.
