Ross-on-Wye Town Council is delighted that HRH The Prince of Wales will officially launch the Gilpin 2020 Festival. The celebration of philanthropy and tourism will take place around the Market Place, Ross-on-Wye, on Tuesday 5th November.

HRH The Prince of Wales will meet a range of local voluntary and philanthropic organisations, as well as environmental groups. There will be an exciting celebration through Broad Street and entertainment from local groups, demonstrating how a range of issues, from local to international, are being supported by the local community.

There will be a range of goods for sale at the local farmers market, which be held at the Market House. The Prince of Wales will tour the market and see some of the region’s best food and drink.

Entertainment will be provided by the Ross Town Band, while a colourful dance will be performed by children from Walford School, as well as a choir made up of children from the John Kyrle High School, Brampton Abbotts CE School St Joseph’s RC Primary School and Ashfield Park Primary School.

Mayor Jane Roberts said: “I am delighted to welcome The Prince of Wales to launch the Gilpin 2020 festival. This event celebrates a town with a rich heritage of philanthropy, where people are working together, to ensure our environment and culture live on for future generations. I encourage everyone to come and meet our local heroes, who strengthen our community with their volunteering. We are also celebrating the businesses and churches that support them.”

Ross-on-Wye is a town steeped in culture and history. When the Reverend William Gilpin visited 250 years ago, he documented his trip with the UK’s first ‘tourist guide’ of the cruises up and down the picturesque River Wye. This brought more and more visitors who dined at specific locations, took walks to particular viewpoints and visited romantic ruins, making the ‘Wye Tour’ the first ‘package’ holiday.

The event will culminate in a procession from the town to light the beacon at the Prospect, the first public pleasure ground in England, which overlooks the launch site of the tour boats.

There will be road closures during the day, on and around Broad Street, to allow for the festivities and this may affect bus routes. Those attending the event are encouraged to walk in to the town centre, with parking available at Homs Road and the skate park.

The Gilpin 2020 festival will include a collection of anniversary events and activities from local organisations including Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, CREATE Ross, Made in Ross, St Mary’s Church and Ross-on-Wye Photographic Society. For more information on Gilpin 2020 events, the Gilpin tour and the history of picturesque tourism, visit www.gilpin2020.org