Duchess of Cornwall visits sustainable company Weaver Green at Heron Valley Orchard

Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall visited Weaver Green in Loddiswell today, to open their new shop and cafe. 

The Duchess was greeted by children from Aveton Gifford Primary School waving flags and cheering as she arrived at the Heron Valley Orchard site where she met owners Tasha and Barney Green and the entire Bradley family. 

HRH The Duchess of Cornwall is introduced to Tasha's family - Paul Ryan-Goff 

She was also introduced to the Heron Valley and Weaver Green staff, the Loddiswell Parish Council representatives and the MP Anthony Mangnall. Also in attendance was the Lord Lieutenant and friends, family and supporters of the whole enterprise. 

Tasha has been running Heron Valley for a number of years, producing locally grown and produced ciders, juice and sparkling yummies, and a trip to Asia with her husband Barney sparked the idea for Weaver Green. Weaver Green produce soft furnishings, rugs, bags, cushions, throws etc made from 100 percent recycled plastic bottles. 

HRH The Duchess of Cornwall examining the rugs made from 100 per cent recycled plastic bottles - Paul Ryan-Goff

It was the recycling and sustainable side of the business that attracted the environmentally-conscious Duke and Duchess of Cornwall to their products, which they have used at their home at Clarence House. So when the couple were visiting Devon, they made sure that Weaver Green was on their list. Sadly, diary conflicts meant that only HRH Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall could attend. 

Attendees said The Duchess was "lovely", "very down to earth" and "a pleasure" to talk to. 

The Duchess was shown around the new shop and site of the soon-to-be-open cafe serving coffee and cakes, was shown the process of how plastic bottles are turned into really soft fabrics (if you get the chance, have a feel of their throws - there is no way you'd guess their origins) and then unveiled a plaque and planted a tree to mark the official opening. 

HRH The Duchess of Cornwall planting a tree to mark the opening of Heron Valley Orchard - Paul Ryan-Goff

Tasha said: "We were honoured to welcome The Duchess of Cornwall today and show her around our new Weaver Green store and showroom. Having used our products before at Clarence House she was interested to learn the process and how we have turned 160 million plastic bottles in to beautiful and practical home textiles. She met the team and the family and we all had a wonderful day in Devon sunshine showing her the range and celebrating our new space."

The views from Heron Valley Orchard are stunning and the area includes an orchard walk around the area, where you could spoil your dog before having a quick cakey snack on the way back. 

The Heron Valley Orchard site - Paul Ryan-Goff

Weaver Green explains on the website: "With a long history in the flooring industry, Barney was no stranger to the intricacies of weaving houses throughout the world, while Tasha’s organic drinks business and love of antique textiles gave the couple a strong environmental ethos. The opportunity to help clear up some of the 35 billion plastic bottles that end up in our seas and landfill every year was too good to miss so Tasha and Barney began exploring the many ways that this practical, robust material could be given a second, more long-term use within our homes and gardens."

More images below, all credit to Paul Ryan-Goff.