Princess Royal opens Beacon Centre for the Blind

There was a royal seal of approval for a new £18 million centre for the blind and a Black Country firm helping with preparations for the 2012 Olympics when the Princess Royal paid a visit.

Princess Anne opened the Beacon Centre for the Blind more than three months later than planned.

She was scheduled to cut the ribbon in February, but her visit to Sedgley was cancelled because of heavy snowfall.

But there were no hitches yesterday when the princess arrived at 11.30am dressed in a smart green jacket and blue skirt. She was introduced to civic dignitaries including Mayor of Dudley, Councillor Peter Miller. The princess spoke to centre chief executive Ian Ferguson and Mollie Mackelworth, former chairman of the trustees for several minutes before being taken on a tour of the facilities including the Bradbury Activity Centre, where she met service users. One, Ashok Patel, demonstrated the Sportwall.

The princess unveiled a plaque marking her visit in front of more than 200 service users, residents, staff and volunteers and said it had been "a great pleasure".

She was presented with a bouquet of flowers by 103-year-old Nora Bridgewater and spoke to 81-year-old ex-RAF man and former Manchester City player Brian West, who both live at the centre.

Mr West said: "It was lovely to meet the Princess Royal as I have already met the Queen several times."

The development includes 71 double flats plus a restaurant and cafe-bar, replacing the 50 rooms and 27 apartments formerly scattered around the site.

Another new building has been set up as an activity centre, catering for 400 non-residents a week. Extra facilities including a shop, hairdressers and beauty salon have also been incorporated in the Wolverhampton Road East site.

Anne also visited Aldridge firm RMD Kwikform UK, which is involved in preparations for the 2012 Olympics.

The visit was part of her role as member of the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games and she presented the Queen's Award for Enterprise to the company.

James Moylan, aged 19 the youngest member of staff - was singled out to meet Princess Anne.

The apprentice said: "This is pretty much the most exciting thing to happen in Walsall for me. I really enjoy it here and there is a chance to go anywhere in the world."

Princess Anne told the workers: "I was only too pleased to come and visit you. It is even better to me with the Queen's enterprise award, not just for the interest of the Olympic Park."