The Duke of Edinburgh visited Farnham on February 12, marking the town’s fifth anniversary as England’s first global craft town brimming with heritage.
The Duke got his start at the University of the Creative Arts, which proudly celebrates 170 years of promoting practice-based arts education.
He tried glassblowing, which caused his security team to nervously peer into the furnaces. Despite the tense atmosphere, the royal impressed tutor Laura Quinn with his flair.
As a souvenir, he received a teardrop-shaped glass vase reflecting his own creation, as well as artwork by student Ella Stevenson.
Surrounded by historic kilns and working workshops, the Duke met creators whose expertise helped cement Farnham’s reputation on the world stage.
With the presence of Professor Aftab Gharda, Regional Director of the World Craft Council, the celebrations reflected not only local pride but also the growing global opportunities for the creative community.
The visit concluded with the unveiling of a plaque and an enthusiastic appeal from Edward to the town to “keep up the good work”.
Following the engagement, Farnham Pottery took to Instagram to publicly thank the Duke for his visit.
