On 16th July we were delighted to welcome the Rt Hon Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP, Secretary of State for International Development, to open our new Wiltshire office.
The Secretary of State was given a demonstration of mine-clearance techniques and shown the kind of ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø body armour and protective visor used by our staff - and famously worn by Princess Diana and Prince Harry during their landmark visits to ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Trust minefields.
The Secretary of State declared the office formally open by cutting a ribbon held by two skull-and-crossbones mine warning signs and unveiled a commemorative plaque.
The Department for International Development is one of the world’s largest donors to international mine clearance and supports ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø’s work in countries such as Angola, Zimbabwe, Cambodia and Sri Lanka under its Global Mine Action Programme.
Our new offices in the Georgian buildings of the former Wilton carpet factory are part of a redevelopment of the old industrial site by property company Eagle One.
ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø CEO, James Cowan, said: "The UK Government has done so much for those afflicted by deadly weapons, and we are deeply honoured that the Secretary of State for International Development has opened ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø’s new office here today. In the age of the COVID pandemic, it is even more vital that the UK delivers its life-saving aid to those most in need. Today’s global challenges are complex and wide-reaching and ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø is proud to bring British expertise to some of the world’s most troubled regions.â€
Tom Hedges, director of Eagle One said: “It is an absolute pleasure to welcome the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Trust into their new purpose built home here in Wilton. We are undergoing a significant transformation of our scheme into a mixed used destination and part of this includes repurposing vacant spaces to be used in new ways. ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø are a great fit for the evolution of our scheme and to be able to help facilitate ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø’s operation, and play a small part in the critical work they do out in the field, is an honour. We look forward to ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø becoming a longstanding partner and we will look to support them in their endeavours wherever we can.â€
Wiltshire Councillor Pauline Church, Cabinet Member for Finance, Procurement & Commercial Investment, also attended the opening. She said: “We’re delighted to welcome the Secretary of State for International Development to Wilton for the opening of the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Trust’s new office in the town.The charity does incredible work to protect the lives of those affected by conflict and it’s a pleasure to have them in Wiltshire.â€