A COUPLE who have just completed an epic 322-mile rowing boat challenge have a date with Royalty.

Stephen and Jennifer Brook, volunteers at the Mirfield-based Safe Anchor Trust, will meet the Princess Royal next week.

The couple, from Bradley, have so far raised more than £6,000 for charity after rowing from Huddersfield to London via the country’s canal network.

The couple took to the waterways in a traditional 16ft wooden rowing boat called Swan.

They completed the adventure in just over 32 days, a couple of days ahead of schedule despite some hazards along the way.

On Friday, the Princess Royal will make her second visit to the Safe Anchor Trust at Shepley Bridge Marina in Mirfield.

As patron of the charity Wooden Spoon, the Princess will officially launch the Trust’s new boat The Safe Anchor Lady and the refurbished E Austen Johnson.

Wooden Spoon made a significant donation to the E Austen Johnson refit.

Stephen, 67, and Jennifer, 63, will split the money they raise between the Trust and Wooden Spoon, a national rugby charity which helps disabled and disadvantaged young people.

Retired company director Stephen said he was honoured to meet the Princess and said: “It’s more of a happy coincidence really.

“The Trust invited the Princess to launch the E Austen Johnson as patron of Wooden Spoon and she generously accepted.

“It just so happened that we had recently completed the charity row.

“I’m a great supporter of the Royal family and it’s a privilege to be asked to meet the Princess.”

Stephen said the trip wasn’t without its dramas despite the early finish.

The support vessel the Lady Brenda was beset by mechanical problems and the couple’s boat – Swan – became a target for real-life swans.

“The swans didn’t know what to make of our boat and the oars had white blades and I think the action of the blades made it look like a huge bird coming at them and they became quite defensive of their young,” said Stephen.

“At one point we were stalked by a group of swans and signets and I felt that at any moment they were going to turn round and attack us.

“On the Thames an almost fully-grown signet came right up to the boat. I had a piece of paper in my hand which must have looked like some bread.

“It was hissing and spitting, but didn’t attack and we got through all right.”

The couple stayed in budget hotels along the way and raised £1,000 from people they met en route.

Stephen, who celebrated his 67th birthday during the trip, said he had lost a few pounds in weight but was physically none the worse for his exertions.

“I made sure I had a full English breakfast before we set off every day, beer and sandwiches for lunch and pie and beer for tea so I kept up the calories!” he said.

The Princess Royal, Princess Anne, previously visited Shepley Bridge Marina in 2004.

Her brother the Earl of Wessex visited in 2008 on behalf of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.