Prince prepares for state of ‘decrepitude’

Prince Charles, 62, spent nearly two hours at the factory in Andover, Hampshire, touring the assembly line and meeting several generations of the Stannah family and their workers.

He also pushed the button to start production of the 500,000th stairlift at the successful firm that exports to 24 countries.

As patron of Abbeyfield and The Almshouse Association, he presented stairlifts to both charities.

He then said in a speech to staff on the factory floor: “As I’m reaching rapidly a state of decrepitude, I now know where to come for a complimentary lift and I might try one out.” During the speech he also said: “It’s a great joy to have a brief opportunity to see this splendid company in operation here.

“I’m someone who is a great admirer of family companies, particularly hereditary lift makers.”

During the visit he also met two apprentices, two members of staff who have volunteered in the local community and the head teacher and two pupils of a local school that Stannah support during Science and Engineering Week.

Martyn and Christine Channon received a long service award from the Prince after clocking up 81 years between them with the company.

Stannah is a family-owned and run manufacturing business that was established in 1867 in London, making cranes, lifts and hoists, and now employs 1,450 people in the UK and 250 abroad.