Prince of Wales visits community-led renewable energy plant

Prince William headed to the Yorkshire Dales today to celebrate a community-led green energy project and pay tribute to the resilience of rural communities in the region.

The Prince of Wales toured the River Bain Hydro plant in Bainbridge, a hydroelectric power station owned and run by local residents that utilises England's shortest river to generate clean electricity.

During his visit to the Yorkshire Dales National Park, William praised the determination of Yorkshire locals.

"There's nothing a Yorkshire community can't get over, that's what I've been told a lot," he told villagers gathered to meet him.

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The royal engagement was designed to shine a spotlight on sustainability and the spirit of rural communities across North Yorkshire.

The River Bain Hydro scheme sits at the heart of Bainbridge and has been producing environmentally friendly electricity since 2011.

The plant powers around 38 homes, which works out to roughly half the village, and is set to prevent more than 3,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere over its 40-year lifespan.

On average, the facility generates about 224 kWh daily throughout the year, with any surplus power sold back to the National Grid.

The project got off the ground partly thanks to a start-up grant from the National Park Authority's Sustainable Development Fund.

There's an added bonus too – fewer oil tankers now need to make deliveries to the area, which means less wear and tear on local roads and bridges.

William met with several key figures during his tour, including hydro project director Tom Fairey, Deborah Millwood, who's involved in running the scheme, and Gary Smith, the Yorkshire Dales National Park's chief executive.

Both Mr Fairey and Mrs Millwood described the royal visit as a "huge honour" for the project.

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After checking out the hydro plant, the Prince popped into Hammonds Butchers for a chat with staff before heading to the village green to meet locals.

It was there he described the Yorkshire Dales as "a beautiful part of the world" and spoke warmly about the "great community spirit up here."

Local councillor Yvonne Peacock, one of the hydro project's founding directors, said: "I never thought we'd ever see a royal family member in Bainbridge, but it's a testament to the community around here for its work and resilience."

Earlier in the day, William spent time with young farmers at Crow Trees Farm in Swaledale, where he learned about life on multi-generational farms and the hurdles facing modern agriculture.

The Prince joined conversations about farm diversification and nature-friendly farming practices, hearing how families are adapting to build long-term financial stability.

Many of the farmers he spoke with have found creative ways to supplement their income, from converting traditional stone barns into holiday lets and campsites to signing up for agri-environment schemes.

Parts of Swaledale hold special conservation status due to their internationally important habitats and bird populations, drawing plenty of visitors during summer months.

William also met farmers' partners and children, hearing how family life, work and the stunning landscape are deeply intertwined in these rural communities

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