Hastoe was the proud host of a visit by HRH The Prince of Wales on 28 May 2019. HRH's visit was to mark our most recent completed development at Powerstock in Dorset.
The remote village has been provided with eight new affordable homes thanks to a partnership with Powerstock & District Community Land Trust (PDCLT). Sitting within Powerstock’s conservation area, the development’s name, Forge Orchard, was chosen by the PDCLT because there was a forge nearby and an old tithe map showed the area had been an orchard.
Offering a mix of 1-3 bedroom houses and a 1-bedroom bungalow, all the new homes have been prioritised for local people and available for affordable rent.
HRH was welcomed to Powerstock by Hastoe’s Chair of the Board, Ed Buscall, Chief Executive Andrew Potter and Regional Manager Mandella Edwards. He also visited the homes of retired residents Mr and Mrs O’Dowd and the young family of Mr and Mrs Bell.
HRH completed his visit with the planting of a Brown’s Apple Tree; a vintage Devonshire cider apple that could be used by one of the local cider club. The commemorative stone underneath the tree carries the inscription: “A Browns Apple Tree - planted by HRH The Prince of Wales to commemorate his visit to Forge Orchard on 28th May 2019. Ligna fructifera succiderunt fac fructiferam speciosam.” (Latin for the Italian saying ‘Good trees make good fruit.’)
