The Duke of Gloucester visited Sheffield on Thursday for a busy and varied day of engagements, marking his continued support for local industry, community regeneration, and heritage preservation.
Throughout the day, the Duke explored some of the South Yorkshire city’s most ambitious projects, from cutting-edge technology to green spaces and steam locomotive restoration.
The Duke’s first engagement was a visit to the Heart of the City Development, one of Sheffield’s most significant urban regeneration projects. The ambitious initiative is transforming key areas of the city, with the aim of revitalising its commercial and cultural landscape. The Duke was briefed on the project’s progress, which is expected to bring new business, retail, and residential opportunities to the city centre. With a focus on sustainable urban planning, the development is seen as a key step in Sheffield’s post-pandemic recovery.
From the cutting-edge heart of urban development, the Duke moved to Pryor Marking – a company at the forefront of industrial marking solutions. Specialising in high-tech systems used to permanently mark products with serial numbers and identification codes, Pryor Marking represents a vital link in Sheffield’s long industrial heritage.
The Duke was given a tour of the facilities, where he observed the latest innovations in marking technology. He met with staff and senior management to learn more about the company’s role in providing solutions that are critical to manufacturing sectors ranging from aerospace to automotive.
Simon Dunn, managing director of the company, said: “It was an immense privilege to welcome HRH The Duke of Gloucester to Pryor today during his visit to Sheffield. As we proudly celebrated our 175th anniversary in 2024, this visit is a wonderful recognition of our enduring legacy and significant contributions as a leading UK manufacturer.”
Next on the itinerary was Green Estate CIC, a social enterprise that plays a crucial role in environmental sustainability and the development of community green spaces across Sheffield. The Duke’s visit to Green Estate was a nod to the growing importance of urban greenery and local engagement in the city’s revitalisation efforts.
The final stop of the day was at CTL Seal, where the Duke was introduced to the Standard Steam Locomotive Company. The organisation is dedicated to the restoration and construction of standard steam locomotives, preserving a key part of Britain’s industrial and transport heritage. The Duke was shown current engineering work on-site and met with volunteers and staff involved in the restoration efforts.
