Princess Anne, The Princess Royal, pays visit to the Jaguar Land Rover factory in Merseyside to mark 60 years of automotive production. Tony McDonough reports
Princess Anne, The Princess Royal, has met with workers at the Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) factory at Halewood to celebrate 60 years of manufacturing.
In 1963 the first Ford Anglia rolled off the production line at the Merseyside plant. Now owned by JLR, the factory employs more than 3,500 people assembling the Range Rover, Evoque and the Land Rover Discovery Sport.
By 2025 a new all-electric SUV model will be rolling off the production line at the site as part of a £15bn project to electrify the company’s product range.
During her tour Her Royal Highness was given exclusive insight into electrification plans and works under way at the facility as part of its transformation.
Local charity, The Inclusive Hub, was also invited to the royal occasion after being selected by employees for a vehicle donation as part of an internal recognition scheme.
Princess Anne presented the charity with a Discovery Sport, built at Halewood, on behalf of JLR. This donation was in recognition of their amazing work in the local community to empower people of all ages and abilities through exercise and education.
Trevor Leeks, JLR Halewood operations director, said: “While Halewood’s history began 60 years ago under different ownership, many of our wonderful people have long connections through that era into today’s stewardship under JLR.
“We look forward to an exciting new chapter as the plant progresses at pace to an all-electric future building the next generation of vehicles as we deliver our Reimagine strategy and our ambition to be the world’s leading modern luxury car manufacturer.”
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During her visit, The Princess Royal also visited the Queen’s Green Canopy Orchard, an onsite orchard and sustainable eco-system which was planted on site to mark the Platinum Jubilee in 2022.
Liam Starkey, coach and director at The Inclusive Hub, added: “This remarkable donation from JLR will help us provide life changing support for more people who are differently abled and socially isolated.
“The new vehicle will help us to give more people access to our fitness sessions, school outreach sessions, mental health meetings, parent support groups and food bank hamper deliveries.”