THE Duchess of Gloucester charmed staff and patients as she took her time touring Liskeard's new Community Hospital this week. And as the staff of Liskeard's new Community Hospital assembled to greet a royal visitor on Wednesday morning, a bemused family hesitated in the doorway wondering what all the fuss was about. But Modern Matron Trish Cooper took control. 'Come on in she said we are still a hospital open for business.' It set the tone for a relaxed visit by the Duchess. The hospital was officially opened in January by retired Liskeard GP, Dr Geoff Smerdon. On her arrival the Duchess was presented with a basket of flowers by seven year old Rachael Jones of Trewidland primary school who said afterwards: 'She told me they would look very nice in her living room.' Accompanied by the Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, Lady Mary Holborow, and her cadet for the year, Hayley Cornish of Saltash St John Ambulance, the Duchess also unveiled a plaque commemorating her visit and signed a visitors book. 'I have been fascinated by what I have seen,' she said. 'There has been much initiative involved in the provision of this modern community hospital. I have met so many people and I wish you all well.' Among patients she spoke to was Mrs Joyce Quick of Saltash who has been in Oak Ward for the past 15 weeks. 'She was wonderful, it cheered me up and made my day. I shall never forget it,' she said.

IN the second visit to South East Cornwall on the same day, the Duchess of Gloucester travelled to Millennium House at Pensilva to meet with people with Parkinsons Disease, in her capacity as patron of the Parkinsons Disease Society. She met and talked to a number of people who were taking part in the Cornwall Parkinson's Partnership which had organised an education day at the Centre. On arrival she was greeted by Dr MacMahon, Consultant Physician, president of the Mid Cornwall Branch of the Society and chairman of the James Parkinson Centre, and by Mr Bryn Davies, branch chairman. The Duchess was delighted with a wood turned bowl presented by Tom Bevan as a parting gift. However, the only disappointment of the day came to the children of Pensilva primary school. They had been ushered from their nearby building to stand near the Millennium Centre to wave goodbye to the village's royal visitor. But it had started to rain, and the Duchess left the building under an umbrella and was whisked away in a car before being able to meet the pupils.

-Viv Twornicki