Hard landscapers Marshalls Plc have welcomed HRH the Duke of Gloucester to their offices in Elland, West Yorkshire, to open a new garden area at the offices. The garden bears a commemorative stone plaque recording the occasion.

The Duke heard that this was not the first time Marshalls’ stone had recorded a royal event. In 1948 Hanson Marshall had presented a decorative Yorkstone compass he had hand carved to George VI and Queen Elizabeth, the late Queen Mother, at the Royal Agricultural Show in York. It was later installed on the lawn of Balmoral Castle in Scotland. 

Graham Holden, today’s Chief Executive Officer of Marshalls, said of the Duke’s visit: “Marshalls were honoured to receive a visit by His Royal Highness Duke of Gloucester. Being a qualified architect he was extremely interested in the company’s history and the projects we undertake in the UK and around the world today.

“He was also particularly interested to hear about our pioneering work in sustainability from the Carbon Labelling of all our manufactured product range, ethical sourcing of stone materials and the commitments to the communities we work in both at home and abroad.”

Pictured right looking at the hand crafted flagstone commemorating the Duke’s opening of the new garden area are (left to right) Neil Davidson, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager of Marshalls, Graham Holden, the Chief Executive Officer, and the Duke of Gloucester.