Warm Congleton Welcome for the The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall
Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall received a really warm welcome from the crowds lining the streets and the community groups, organisations and representatives inside the Town Hall and Old Saw Mill during their visit to Congleton on Wednesday 24th January. The Royal guests were in Congleton to mark the 700 year anniversary of Mayoralty in town, as well as to meet some of the town’s key community groups and organisations.
Congleton Town Mayor, Cllr Charles Booth, said it was an ‘absolute pleasure’ to have the royal couple visit Congleton and presented Their Royal Highnesses with a Beartown Bear and flowers. The Prince of Wales unveiled a plaque to celebrate 700 years of Mayoralty in the town.
Whilst in Congleton the Royal couple met staff, volunteers and users of the Old Saw Mill, a community hub in Back River Street, off Antrobus Street. The Old Saw Mill is also the home of Congleton apple juice. In the town centre they met Dave Heyhoe, who told them about the war hero dog called Treo and why the town has a statue of the dog in its Community Garden.
The landlady of The Prince of Wales, which is a stone’s throw from the statue, couldn’t resist the opportunity to invite The Prince of Wales inside the namesake pub for a quick drink. Much to everyone’s delight the royal couple accepted and even commented that “it was a great name for a pub”. After a few minutes and Their Royal Highnesses were back outside and engaging with as many people as possible in the crowds lining the route to the Town Hall.
A guard of honour, made up of Army Cadets, Air Cadets, Explorer Scouts and Guides welcomed Their Royal Highnesses into the Town Hall. Once inside, the royal couple were introduced to representatives of more than 80 groups and organisations that work so hard to make Congleton an enjoyable, friendly and caring town in which to live.
Addressing those inside the Town Hall The Prince of Wales said: “Ladies and Gentlemen, can we offer our warmest congratulations to Congleton on celebrating its 700 years of mayoralty. It has been a pleasure to be here to mark the occasion.”
Reflecting on the day, Congleton Town Council Chief Officer, David McGifford said; “Wednesday 24th of January 2018 will be remembered for decades to come as the day that the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall came to Congleton. They were absolutely delightful. I would like to thank everyone who played a part in making the day so special. There were around 300 people inside the Town Hall ranging from 3 year old In Bloom helpers to a 99 year old veteran (100 on the 31 January).
Volunteers from Beartown TV managed to get some wonderful footage from both inside and outside the Town Hall which helped to capture some memories from the day, to view the video, click here.
