Community was front and centre when Newcastle received its first visit by a serving monarch. After visiting Newcastle Community Cinema, the next venue for King Charles III was Donard Methodist Church.
Here, His Majesty met the team of volunteers who run The Pantry Foodbank, where he assisted the charity’s chairman, John O’Neill, to pack a parcel which will be delivered to a member of the community this week.
The local foodbank provides food for over 50 families a month.
It foresees that demand will continue to grow due to the rising cost of living, including heating oil prices this winter.
Showing a great interest in the foodbank’s work, King Charles met with the volunteers who run this important community service.
Noting the high-quality fresh produce, and in particular pointing out that the foodbank had a donation of “some good eggs”, which he went on to describe as “terrific”, King Charles posed a series of questions to the volunteers, including how long they had been involved.
He continued: “And do you get good feedback. Do people come and collect, or do you visit?
“There are lots of delicious pastas and things. Things that families need.”
He was then invited by Mr O’Neill, the foodbank’s chairman, to help pack a box that will go to a single person.
He carefully and neatly placed in bread, fresh fruit and vegetables, a toothbrush and toothpaste.
“I’m sure there is a special order they go in,” the King queried.
“Oh, that needs to lie down properly.”
“Very, very important,” he added, placing more toilet roll in, leading to an outbreak of giggles.
Prior to leaving the premises, His Majesty turned to the room and addressed the volunteers: “You are all very, very special people. What you do is so important.”
From here, the King was escorted into the main body of the church by Rev Dr Richard Wright.
He outlined a little about the church’s history and explained it is in the midst of its bicentenary.
Here King Charles also met with key organisations in the community, including representatives from MYMY, Ark Community Gardens and Greenhill YMCA.
He then proceeded outside where he was introduced to members of Newcastle Fire Station, the Mourne Mountain Rescue Team and Newcastle Lifeboat Station, before he embarked on a walkabout, with people shouting his name and “God Save The King”.
Killyleagh artist Darren Leahy presented the monarch with one of his paintings.
The artwork depicts Gibbs Island, close to Killyleagh, visited by a young Prince Charles when he and his parents and siblings spent time in the area.
Mr Leahy also performed a beautiful rendition of “The Mountains of Mourne” alongside his fellow Mourne Community Choir members.
During the visit, eleven-year-old George Murdoch handed over a batch of eggs laid that morning by his pet chickens.
Other gifts presented by members of the public included a handmade clay mug.
Young children were thrilled to be able to shake the King’s hand during his walkabout, with their excitement palpable.
“It really is the King,” one local primary school child squealed with delight.
“We are actually going to meet him!”
A classmate added: “I know! This is the best day ever!”
She added: “I can’t wait to tell my mummy and granny; this is awesome!”
Echoing many of the cheers and greetings from earlier in the day, one member of the crowd shouted: “Welcome to Northern Ireland, Your Majesty, thank you for coming to see us”, whilst another lady could be heard shouting: “We love you Charles”.
A third told him: “This is so special. I will never forget it. We are hugely grateful”.
Three ladies, who had been up early to ensure they reserved a spot outside the church with a great view, were thrilled to say they had shaken hands with the King.
Irene Martin, from Dromara, plus Newcastle’s Paula Leitch and Liz Hanna, beamed with delight afterwards.
“This is a highlight of my life,” Irene said.
She continued: “King Charles was so good to come over and speak with as many people as he could.
“I can’t actually believe what has just happened, this is a day I will never forget!”
Paula added: “This has been absolutely brilliant. To be able to say we have seen King Charles up close would have been perfect, but we can now say we have spoken to him and he shook our hands.
“What a day this has been, it’s so exciting.”
Liz continued: “What an occasion, this is a very important and historic day, and I’m just thrilled, and perhaps a little bit in shock!”
King Charles also struck up a conversation with one of the most senior members of the crowd, local lady Rosemary Allan, who, as it was outlined, is about to celebrate her 102nd birthday.
