As birthday presents go, it was a little bit late.

But no-one was complaining when HRH The Duke of Edinburgh paid a landmark visit to Farnham on February 12, with a presentation taking place to mark five years since it became England’s first designated World Craft Town.

The world was a different place in June 2020 when Farnham received the accolade, emerging from the stillness of the first lockdown.

In retrospect, it seemed a funny time for the status to be granted given its thriving places of creativity, like the UCA, New Ashgate, Farnham Pottery and Maltings, were still waiting to be fully reopened and rediscovered.

But it was still thoroughly deserved. Farnham, after all, has a “rich and long-standing heritage in crafting” that dates back to Roman times and continues today, with its plethora of makers and its astonishing programme of events and festivals.

The ball started rolling back in 2019 when the Maltings and Farnham Town Council (FTC) joined forces to make an application to the World Crafts Council in “recognition of the special role that craft plays in our community”.

“It is our celebration of craft that makes Farnham unique, from domestic crafts to high-end gallery pieces,” was the statement at the time.

Fast forward to February 2026, and it’s clear to see Farnham is one very crafty place. Potters, students, furniture-makers and stained glass window experts were just some of the many crafters and creatives the Duke met just over a fortnight ago in a visit that reaffirmed the town’s very special status.

“Farnham was the first town in England to receive recognition in the World Craft Cities network in 2020,” said Professor Aftab Gharda of the World Craft Council to His Royal Highness and guests during a speech in Farnham Pottery.

“From the outset, Farnham demonstrated that craft here is not only a tradition, but also a living, evolving force, rooted in heritage, sustained by makers, and strengthened through education, enterprise and community collaboration.

“What is especially inspiring is how Farnham continues to invest in the future of craft.

“It is supporting makers as businesses, engaging young people and schools, and creating opportunities for skills to be passed on, adapted and renewed.”

He concluded: “This is exactly what the World Craft Cities Programme seeks to encourage worldwide.”

The next generation include Jose Pinto Dias, Lillian Hudson, Sophia Smart, Helena Friday and Flora Monsey, the Young Makers who showed off their impressive pottery skills to the royal visitor.

The youngsters said the Duke was “friendly” and “impressed” with their work with the royal guest, who is passionate about the arts, also getting a hands-on experience in stained glass window making and leadwork from Rachel Mulligan in one of many highlights of his visit to Wrecclesham.

“I’ve met him before, 20 years ago, but a lot has changed since then and this was a big visit,” said the 2014 Surrey Artist of the Year.

“I’m on a personal mission to save the art of stained glass window making and he was really interested.”

The Duke shook countless hands during his time at Farnham Pottery, meeting some of the Maltings and FTC members which helped with the Craft Town bid and figures from the likes of FADEG, Creative Response and the Farnham Creatives Business Programme.

There was a long chat with Julia Quigley and the West Street Potters while Pippa Hufton, Craft Town Co-ordinator and the brainchild of the lantern festival, let the Duke into a Transatlantic Zoom link with Anne Wolf from San Diego.

“Farnham Pottery has always been about people, skills and shared creativity,” said Guy Hains, owner of the restored landmark alongside Elaine and Alex.

“Welcoming His Royal Highness was a tremendous honour and a recognition of the collective effort that has gone into restoring this place and building a vibrant creative hub.

“The involvement of the World Crafts Council and our local partners shows the strength and reach of Farnham’s craft community.”

The Duke also heard about the central role of Farnham Maltings and its extensive craft programme, including exhibitions and the long-running October Craft Weekend, now in its 30th anniversary year.

Professor Gharda also spoke during the visit about the potential for the UCA to be involved in the World Craft Council’s new Global Craft Academy, being established in partnership with Birmingham City University.

And sure enough, the Duke began his afternoon in Farnham by meeting staff and students at the UCA in what Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Lyndsay Duthie called the ‘inaugural royal visit’ in the 170-year history of the university.

There was a little anxiety when the royal visit tried his hand at glassblowing but tutor Laura Quinn said the Duke did “brilliantly”. It was then onto the relative safety of filmmaking in the Virtual Production studio where students used real-time rendering software and motion capture to immerse the Duke in a scene from a film.

Professor Duthie then led a Creative Economy Roundtable discussion in which The Duke actively participated, alongside UCA academics and alumni and members of the university’s Creative and Cultural Industries Leaders Network.

“It was encouraging to hear His Royal Highness articulate a vision that aligns so closely with ours,” said Professor Duthie following the visit.

“At UCA, we are preparing the next generation not just to adopt new tools, but to shape how they are used — equipping students to think critically, create boldly, and lead an industry evolving faster than ever before.”

The Duke’s tour concluded with the unveiling of an artwork created by second year BA Graphic Design student, Ella Stevenson, while Laura also presented the guest with some glasswork.

“Congratulations on 170 years of developing all those essential arts and crafts and keeping the creative flame well and truly alight,” said the Duke, adding: “I hope you will continue to do that for many years to come.”

The Duke’s visit to Farnham Pottery ended with a series of speeches and the unveiling of a plaque commemorating the royal occasion.

His Royal Highness said: “Thank you very much indeed for sharing your various stories, crafts and skills.

“It’s absolutely brilliant and it’s lovely to see the enthusiasm, and sharing that passion with the next generation, as well.

“And thank you, professor, and the World Craft Council, for the recognition of Farnham, which I know will help hugely with what you’re doing.

“So please keep up the excellent work.”

Farnham Town Council and the Farnham South Street Trust have played a central role in supporting partners and championing the World Craft Town vision. The aim is ensuring that craft remains accessible, inclusive and economically sustainable, while supporting young people, makers and creative businesses.

“Farnham’s World Craft Town status reflects centuries of making and skill, alongside a clear commitment to supporting creativity today and for future generations,” said Mayor and town councillor, George Murray, after the visit.

“It was a great honour to welcome His Royal Highness and to showcase the breadth of talent, education and collaboration that defines our town.

“This visit was a proud moment for Farnham and for everyone involved in sustaining our creative community.

“His Royal Highness has been an inspiration for all involved and will help launch the next generation of makers and sustain the wider partnership.”