HUNDREDS of villagers gathered to greet Prince Charles as he planted a tree to celebrate an affordable rural housing scheme.

His Royal Highness was cheered as he planted the D'Arcy Spice apple tree in Pandan Close, West Hanningfield, before being shown around Terry and Pat Margetts' home in the road.

He visited West Hanningfield to see how homes, which had been built as part of his Affordable Rural Housing Initiative, had become part of the village community.

He spent an hour touring the village and speaking to many residents, even joking with some about whether they would move the tree when he left.

Braintree and Witham Times:

Prince Charles planted a tree at the rural affordable housing scheme

Residents first moved into the affordable homes three years ago following a project between Essex and Suffolk Water and The Hastoe Housing Association to build 15 environmentally friendly homes on land belonging to the water company.

As he unveiled a plaque to commemorate his visit, Prince Charles said: "I am very glad indeed to have the chance to visit and see what has been done here. It has provided the kind of homes I hope people want in their villages and their community."

Susie Jaysinghe, 46, of Pandan Close, personally thanked the Prince and showed him pictures of her caravan which had burnt down leaving herself and her husband Rajith and son Bruce, 17, homeless.

The family had lived in the caravan for years, but it had no heating or hot water though the winter.
She said: "It was like going from the dark ages to a hotel. It was absolutely horrendous, we have had 15 years of hell and then the last three years have been three years of hope, I cannot thank him enough.
"I showed us the pictures of what he had saved us from. I joked with him that I used to say I kept it as neat as a pin and kept it clean as the queen might come to dine."

Braintree and Witham Times:

Prince Charles meeting residents in West Hanningfield

More than 100 pupils from St Peter's Primary School waved Union flags and cheered as the Prince visited the village hall.

After showing he prince around her home, Mrs Margetts, 70, said: "It was absolutely fabulous, he was so natural and caring."

Braintree and Witham Times:

The Prince shares a joke with Pat and Terry Margetts

Mr Margetts, 74, added: “The alternative for us was possibly going into a retirement bungalow as we were actually in a mobile home three miles down the road but this was a great opportunity, I had no idea we were going to get one.”