HRH the Duke of Gloucester opens restored track and station platform at Hythe pier railway and pays a visit to SpudWorks in Sway

A ROYAL visitor made a special trip to the New Forest, opening a restored railway track and learning about award-winning developments in the national park.

His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester – the late Queen’s cousin – paid a visit to Hythe pier on Wednesday, as well as touring the Sway-based arts, architecture and education charity, SpudWorks.

On his arrival at the Grade II-listed structure, His Royal Highness was met by Nigel Atkinson Esq, the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, who introduced him to Anthony Smith, chair of the Hythe Pier Heritage Association (HPHA), which had undertaken the project.

As reported in the A&T, the HPHA ,with volunteers from the Hythe Men’s Shed, have been carrying out a host of renovations at the historic railway.

Work includes the installation of a new track and timber supports, as well as the full refurbishment of 100-year-old railway carriages.

During his visit, the Duke inspected one of the railway carriages under renovation in the workshop, where he met HPHA director Alan Titheridge, who explained the progress.

The visit follows in the footsteps of the Duke’s late uncle, King George VI, who used the same train during a visit in May 1944 after watching landing craft being built in Southampton Water in preparation for D-Day. His Majesty reportedly spoke briefly with train driver Leonard Pearce, telling him that he had travelled all over the world but had never seen “such a funny old train”.

After cutting the official ribbon, the Duke boarded the train – acknowledged in the Guinness World Records as the oldest operating on a pier – and travelled along its 640-metre length where he was met by pupils from Hythe Primary School.

His Royal Highness also journeyed into the national park, with the NPA showing how it worked with communities, architects and owners to conserve local heritage and promote high quality design.

The Duke viewed the Living Room at SpudWorks in Sway. An informal art therapy space for people with dementia and mental health issues, the Living Room received an NPA Building Design Award earlier this year.

His Royal Highness met NPA chair David Bence, planning committee chair Gordon Bailey and chair of the district council, Cllr David Hawkins.

Tom Sofikitis and Suna Imre of SpudWorks explained the work of the charity while Steve Avery, the NPA’s executive director of strategy and planning and building design and conservation officer Emily Carter discussed building design in the national park.

Two other nearby developments were highlighted – former pub and Grade II listed Forest Heath House, which has been turned into five flats, and a former garage business site which in 2019 was turned into the Sway Co-op building, with four flats above and four new houses behind.

Later, the Duke met chair of Sway Parish Council, Cllr Howard Millett, and clerk Katie Walding at Sway Manor Hotel to hear about building design considerations in the village.

One point of discussion was a display about the NPA’s Local List – an initiative to work with communities to highlight assets of architectural or historic interest which contribute to the character and appearance of the national park. Special consideration is then given to assets of local interest when planning proposals are submitted.

Speaking afterwards, Mr Bence said: “The New Forest is renowned for its natural environment but its built environment is also an important part of the local character of the area. “The national park authority receives around 1,000 planning applications each year. Over 80% are approved thanks to work with the applicant to ensure that any developments are in keeping with and enhance local communities.

“His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester has a keen interest in architecture and local heritage and we were delighted to show him high quality schemes ranging from new homes to businesses and vital community services.”

The Duke also visited East Boldre Community Stores, a converted chapel-turned community owned shop which opened in February to safeguard vital local services when the existing village store and post office closed.