Exactly 38 years ago today, Princess Diana visited Dorset in support of a Great Ormond Street Hospital charity appeal and to celebrate the county's local arts scene.
The Princess of Wales arrived at Poole Hospital in Longfleet Road on September 14, 1988 where she launched the 'Dorset Candle Light appeal'. The campaign was a fundraising appeal with an aim of selling 140,000 candles to support the redevelopment of the Great Ormond Street Hospital in London.
During her time at the hospital's Postgraduate Medical Centre, Diana spoke with multiple young patients and local children throughout the visit.
Twelve-year-old Rachel O’Rourke recalled the Princess asking questions about her health, and seven-year-old Rebecca Saunders enjoyed chatting with the Princess after presenting her with a posy.
Another local child, Charlie Syer from Sturminster Newton, handed Diana a taper to light a giant ceremonial candle.
Following the hospital visit, Diana enjoyed various performances at the Poole Arts Centre, (Poole Lighthouse theatre), in celebration of it's 10th anniversary.
She listened to the Bournemouth Sinfonietta rehearse rehearse Handel’s Arrival of the Queen of Sheba and chatted with 12-year-old Kelly Lumber about ponies and Prince Harry’s love for riding.
She then observed pupils from Corfe Hills School working on a musical number from Guys and Dolls, telling the teenagers that she had never seen the production. The day then concluded with an unplanned stroll among members of the public, during which the mayor’s children, Hattie and Martin Chaffey, presented her gifts.
Dianna was also a patron of the Help the Aged charity, and visited Dorset the previous year in December when she opened Homelife House in December 1997.
In 1991, four years after her Poole visit, she travelled to the area by helicopter, landing at Milton Mount School, now Bournemouth Collegiate School, before visiting the newly opened North Bournemouth Family Centre.
The Princess also visited Bournemouth’s Anglo European College of Chiropractic in Parkwood Road.
During the college visit, patient Geoffrey Gibbs said Diana was "lovely". He said: "She came in, plonked herself down and started telling me about her bad back."
The Princess of Wales remained patron of the Dorset-based college until 1996.
Do you have memories of Princess Diana's visit or get the chance to meet her on this day 38 years ago? We want to hear from you! Email newsdesk@bournemouthecho.co.uk
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