1 March 2011

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PRINCESS Anne will visit East Court to meet Mayor Stephen Barnett and other civic dignitaries when her helicopter lands on the estate on 22 March.

The Princess will be in East Grinstead to celebrate the 50th birthday of the Blond McIndoe Research Foundation of which she is patron.

Her visit will be marked by the unveiling of a painting donated by the conservationist and painter David Shepherd, who lives just outside the town, and with a Spitfire fly-past

Blond McIndoe’s chief executive Jacquie Pinney said: "Having The Princess Royal as our patron is an honour and we are absolutely delighted that she is able to join us in celebrating this very auspicious anniversary.

"The Princess takes a real interest in the work of the charity and her patronage is invaluable.

"We are celebrating 50 years of innovative research but also showcasing our research strategy going forward and her support is a real endorsement of the value of the work that we do which has direct clinical relevance.

"We rely solely on regular donations for us to continue our valuable research into the repair of skin wounds, especially burns.

"We are determined to continue the pioneering work started by Sir Archibald McIndoe for the benefit of future generations."

The party at East Court Mansion is for specially invited guests and has been paid for entirely by business sponsorship.

The mayor, who chose the research foundation as one of his charities for his year in office, said he was "delighted" about the visit.

* Sir Archibald McIndoe’s dream to open a research centre in the grounds of the Queen Victoria Hospital became a reality with the help of close friends Neville and Elaine Blond, shortly after his death in 1961.