His Royal Highness Prince Charles & Camilla Duchess of Cornwall visited Cheshire on Wednesday January 24th. Part of their tour was to visit Congleton as it is the 700th Mayoral anniversary. The first ever Mayor to be elected in Congleton being in the year 1318. As part of the celebrations many local clubs, businesses; organisations & schools were invited to Congleton Town Hall to meet the Royal visitors.

Congleton President Brian Hogan & Vice President Ian Robinson were both holidaying abroad so it fell to Club Secretary Maggi Walker & President Elect Rod Goodier to attend on behalf of the club. After a buffet lunch kindly provided by the Town Council the Royal couple finally arrived but were late entering the Town Hall as Prince Charles spotted the pub next door to the town hall called The Prince of Wales. As mentioned in his town hall speech the Prince of Wales felt obliged to try a tipple in the Prince of Wales pub as they both had the same name especially as it was free!

On entering the Town Hall Prince Charles came down one side whilst the Duchess took the other. 300 guests had been invited so it was a busy time however the Prince stopped to speak to Maggi & Rod asking about Rotary’s local fundraising work. All too soon the Royal visit was over but not before Camilla shook hands with Maggi on the way out.


Release issued 25th January by Rod Goodier