Schoolchildren and residents from across Hampshire were among those who welcomed His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales to Winchester today (Thursday 3 March) on an historic visit to the city during Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee year.
Five pupils from Park Community School in Havant met His Royal Highness as he viewed 'Licoricia of Winchester', a new statue – organised and funded by The Licoricia Appeal - that the children helped to unveil last month. Pupils from St Bede Church of England Primary School and King’s Worthy Primary School also had the chance to speak to the Royal visitor shortly after The Prince formally opened The Arc, a newly refurbished cultural hub. ‘Licoricia of Winchester’ stands outside The Arc on the city’s Jewry Street, the historic centre of the medieval Jewish community.
Leader of Hampshire County Council, Councillor Keith Mans, said: “It’s been a remarkable day and I would like to thank everybody who turned out to join us here in Winchester, to welcome His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. It has been so uplifting to see people enjoying a special day together, helping to write a new chapter in the city’s already rich royal history, and creating an early high point in Hampshire’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations. It is particularly fitting The Prince’s visit seeks to promote tolerance and diversity by highlighting the inspiring life story of an extraordinary medieval Jewish businesswoman. The statue of Licoricia has been a generous gift to Winchester, which provides another compelling reason to visit The Arc, an exciting new addition to the city’s cultural scene and the home of Winchester Library.”
The Licoricia sculpture - organised and funded by The Licoricia of Winchester Appeal - has been created by leading sculptor Ian Rank-Broadley. The artwork is on display outside The Arc on the street where Licoricia was known to have lived.
Maggie Carver, Chairman of the Licoricia of Winchester Appeal, said: “The Licoricia of Winchester Appeal trustees are greatly honoured that HRH The Prince of Wales has come to see the statue of Licoricia of Winchester, so soon after having recovered from Covid. The statue of Licoricia, crafted by leading UK figurative sculptor, Ian Rank-Broadley FRSS, stands as a continuing reminder of the importance of Jewish and other minority communities within England’s history and right up to the present day, and as a mark of the importance of inter-faith understanding, tolerance and education.”
The Arc is managed and operated by Hampshire Cultural Trust. Paul Sapwell, Hampshire Cultural Trust, Chief Executive commented: “It has been a huge honour for us to welcome His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales to The Arc today and for him to officially declare it open. This is such an exciting culmination to the months of planning that both Hampshire County Council and Hampshire Cultural Trust have invested in our partnership to refurbish The Arc and to establish it as a place in the heart of Winchester where people can come together to enjoy live performance, talks, classes, library and community services under one roof.”
Whilst on his visit, The Prince met representatives from a range of Hampshire organisations including inter-faith leaders, and members of 10 The Queen’s Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment.
Today’s celebrations come as plans are being finalised for Hampshire’s Platinum Jubilee year of festivities – which will feature a range of events, including tree planting, activities at schools, public libraries, County Parks, Sir Harold Hillier Gardens and even a commemorative ‘Everest’ rock climbing challenge at Calshot Outdoor Activity Centre.