PRINCE Charles took an amble through the countryside to celebrate the 30th anniversary of a nature reserve run by Dorset Wildlife Trust. 

His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales visited Kingcombe Meadow Nature Reserve near Toller Porcorum yesterday to mark three decades since the site was adopted by the trust.

And there to greet him were children from St Mary’s C.E Primary School in Charminster.

Simon Cripps, Chief Executive of the Dorset Wildlife Trust, said: “It’s fabulous. It’s thirty years this month since Prince Charles last visited and helped fund us to build this amazing nature reserve. 

“We now have a farm that we use for livestock that keep the grass as it should be.”

The Prince has contributed significantly to the reserve over the years as part of his Coronation Meadow project, which aims to create a wildflower meadow in every British county. 

HRH arrived to a greeting from DWT's board of trustees, followed by a visit to the St Mary’s students who were getting hands-on with nature in the recently restored Swallow Barn education centre. 

The children had spent the morning pond-dipping for newts, and were admiring their catches whilst drawing pictures of nature. 

The Prince asked the children questions as they proudly showed him their hard work.

Students Tyler, five, and Holly, five, were excited about the special visit. 

Holly said: "I found (a newt) in the pond and dug really deep to get it. I was very happy for myself. He (Prince Charles) came to see us and I showed him."

Tyler, who was enjoying a change to his normal school day, said: "It was exciting. I found a pond skater and scooped it up gently."

Laura Pickles, head of the Oak Class of reception and Year 1 students, said: "We were really happy to have this opportunity.

"We didn't tell the students at first so it was natural. Now they are fascinated. They will have lots of questions after today."

The next stop on the visit to the centre was a boggy walk up to Lady’s Mead Coronation Meadow. Prince Charles turned down the offer of wellies for the trek. 

HRH met Nick Gray, Conservation Officer for West Dorset, and Jim White, a DWT trustee at the meadow. 

They admired the wide variety of flowers in the field, whilst talking about how the centre had changed since the Prince's last visit in 1988.

The final visit was a talk with Ashlea Kirk, stockman and farm manager at DWT, who showed HRH his herd of Aberdeen Angus cattle, whilst they chatted about their shared interest. Prince Charles grazes the same breed of cattle. 

Following HRH’s visit, Mr Kirk said: “It’s just fabulous, to show off what I’ve done, and show off the cattle. 

“The animals here are earning their keep for us and working hard."

The traditional farm uses wildlife-friendly farming techniques, and is grazed by cows and sheep without the use of pesticides and artificial fertilisers.

Prince Charles' trip to the meadow was followed by a private visit to Poundbury