The Princess Royal attends opening ceremony for John Coxall Court

On Tuesday 5th March The Lord-Lieutenant welcomed Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal to Hertfordshire for the opening of the First Garden Cities Homes’ newest and most ambitious development.

First Garden Cities Homes Chief Executive John Welch said: “We are honoured that Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal came to Letchworth Garden City to perform the opening ceremony for John Coxall Court.

The grandchildren of John Coxall Court resident Avril McCandless-Lewis presented a posy to the royal visitor. Ayda, aged five, said: “As the Princess got closer and closer, I felt scared. But when I gave her the flowers, I felt happy. I thought she was lovely.” Her brother Elliott, aged eight, gave The Princess Royal some advice: “I told the Princess that the food for the flowers was behind the label, in case she didn’t know.”

The new development is named after the late John Coxall, who held the role of Chairman from 1997 to 2007, when the housing association was known as Howard Cottage. Mrs Coxall attended the opening ceremony.