HRH The Prince of Wales has just announced that he will be visiting Ross-on-Wye on November 5th, and will officially launch the Gilpin 2020 Festival, to celebrate the town’s role as the birthplace of British tourism.

His Royal Highness will tour a local producers’ market and meet groups representing the strong philanthropic heritage of Ross, including a range of local community organisations and their local business supporters.

The event will take place in the area around the Market House, Market Place, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire HR9 5NX.

Further updates to followRoss on Wye Town Council will officially launch the Gilpin 2020 festival on Tuesday, November 5th, 2019, with a very special guest, HRH Prince Charles. Although the festival is scheduled to be a year long celebration it is being launched this year, on November 5th in Ross.When Rev. William Gilpin visited 250 years ago, he documented his trip with the UK’s first ‘tourist guide’ of the cruises up and down the picturesque River Wye. This brought more and more visitors who dined at specific locations, took walks to particular viewpoints and visited romantic ruins, making the ‘Wye Tour’ one of the first ‘package’ holidays.The Gilpin 2020 launch event will include presentations from a range of local voluntary and philanthropic organisations, as well as environmental groups. There will be a colourful celebration through Broad Street and entertainment from local groups, demonstrating how a range of issues, from local to international, are being supported by the local community.The ancient Market House will host a produce market and there will be live music from the town band. Mayor Jane Roberts said: “When I was elected as Mayor, I made it my mission to promote and encourage the work of our active voluntary sector here in Ross on Wye. This event celebrates a town working together, to ensure our environment and culture live on for future generations. I would encourage everyone to wrap up warm and come and meet our local heroes, who strengthen our local community with their philanthropic work. Ross on Wye is a beautiful place to visit, all year round.”