The Earl of Wessex visited Booth Brothers on Friday 13 September 2013. His Royal Highness, who arrived at Bullhouse Mill by helicopter, was greeted to South Yorkshire by the Vice Lord-Lieutenant Dr Giles Bloomer OBE who presented Chief Superintendent Dave Hartley of South Yorkshire Police and Charles and Sarah Booth.

Charles Booth escorted the Earl to the hydro electric generator, which supplies Bullhouse Mill with power, before progressing to the main factory site where he was presented to Richard Rowbotham, Factory Manager, and John Booth, who then escorted His Royal Highness on a factory tour. The Earl, who took a great interest in the company’s new low energy and sustainable UV Print technology and LED drying system, met a number of production staff who explained the processes undertaken in the manufacture of printed umbrellas. The Earl was presented with a ‘Bagshot Park’ branded umbrella at the end of the tour.

Charles Booth then escorted His Royal Highness to the carbon negative ‘Old Corn Mill’ offices and explained the mix of low energy technologies and renewable generators on site such as wind turbines, solar PV and geothermal heating on the way. The Earl then met Booth Brothers staff including Simon Bakewell, Christine Tanner-Bakewell, Katie Lovelady, Chris Hancock, Paul Bradley, Jamie Scurrah and Tracy Buckley as well as Jason Carey of Bagco. He then met a group of principals from the other businesses which rent space from Booth Brothers at Bullhouse Mill. Finally, Charles Booth invited His Royal Highness to unveil a plaque to commemorate his visit to Booth Brothers and Lucy Booth invited him to sign the Visitors’ Book.

Following the departure of the Royal entourage and security services, Charles Booth commented “It has been a wonderful visit and an honour to have His Royal Highness visit Booth Brothers. The Prince went out of his way to talk to so many of our staff personally. The Earl of Wessex was very knowledgeable about renewable energy and was very interested to see our green energy initiatives we have here at Bullhouse Mill”.

Published on: September 17th, 2013