On Wednesday January 24th 2018, Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales accompanied by the Duchess of Cornwall arrived in Congleton, Cheshire to visit communities in the region.

Photo Credits: Clarence House

Today, Their Royal Highnesses are carrying out engagements in Cheshire. The Duchess of Cornwall is visiting @TheClinkCharity Restaurant at HMP Styal. pic.twitter.com/vzRmI9upI4

— Clarence House (@ClarenceHouse) January 24, 2018

The Duchess of Cornwall began her tour with a visit to Cheshire prison and its highly rated restaurant, The Clink where she was given the insides stories of many female inmates and how their lifes are being transformed.

At HMP Styal, The Duchess learns about how prisoners work a 40 hour week in the restaurant. They work towards their food service and preparation qualifications. pic.twitter.com/h5BEJa5lJl

— Clarence House (@ClarenceHouse) January 24, 2018

She met inmates working at The Clink, which is adjacent to the prison. The Clink is a place where women with less than 18 months to serve are given the chance to earn City & Guilds NVQ qualifications in food service and food preparation and then helped to find employment within the hospitality industry on their release.

The Duchess learns about how The Booker Prize Foundation and @Literacy_Trust (of which HRH is Patron), delivers the Books Unlocked scheme in prisons. The aim is to develop a love of reading among prisoners. 📚 pic.twitter.com/LaM2BMmGqm

— Clarence House (@ClarenceHouse) January 24, 2018

She met kitchen staff preparing the day's menu which included pork tenderloin, venison and sea bream. She also met 53 year old prisoner Liz who had been working front of house at The Clink for four months and had nearly completed her NVQ Level 2 in food and beverages.

After she met with inmates who are benefitting from the various work-based training and education programmes offered by HMP Styal. HMP Styal also known as HM Prison Styal is a Closed Category prison for female adults and young offenders in Styal, Cheshire, England. The prison is operated by Her Majesty's Prison Service

There was a fantastic welcome in Congleton for Their Royal Highnesses - and there were flags made especially for the occasion! pic.twitter.com/yNzqrofzZ0

— Clarence House (@ClarenceHouse) January 24, 2018

According to Clarence House: one such initiative is Books Unlocked, a partnership between the National Literacy Trust and the Booker Prize Foundation which started in 2012 and involves prisons across England and Wales. Man Booker Prize-shortlisted books are serialised as audiobooks on National Prison Radio, which is broadcast into approximately 80,000 prison cells. The Duchess is the Royal Patron of the National Literacy Trust

Meanwhile, across the town His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales visited Quarry Bank – a National Trust Site based around a cotton mill. While there he explored a worker’s cottage to see how renovations had changed the site since his last visit in 2010.

The Prince of Wales is visiting Quarry Bank, a National Trust site based around a historic cotton mill and its community. #DidYouKnow HRH is President is @nationaltrust? pic.twitter.com/wB4S4mGQ91

— Clarence House (@ClarenceHouse) January 24, 2018

The Prince visits a worker’s cottage and the picturesque gardens at @QuarryBankNT to see how the restoration has progressed since he last visited in 2010. pic.twitter.com/FWmfhKIKIr

— Clarence House (@ClarenceHouse) January 24, 2018

Their Royal Highnesses then met back and travelled to Congleton, where their first official visit for 2018 was to The Old Saw Mill – a community hub used by activity groups such as dancers, Meals on Wheels and the local knitting group.

Their Royal Highnesses visit The Old Saw Mill community hub in Congleton. They meet local activity groups who use the space, including the local knitting group, and Meals on Wheels. pic.twitter.com/R8CXbHh7ST

— Clarence House (@ClarenceHouse) January 24, 2018

TRH meet the Christmas Day Lunch team at The Old Saw Mill. They cooked Christmas lunch for twenty residents (and one dog!) who would otherwise have been on their own on the day. pic.twitter.com/Fwe09iQTTt

— Clarence House (@ClarenceHouse) January 24, 2018

They also met the Christmas Lunch Group, who cooked Christmas lunch for twenty residents who would otherwise have been alone on Christmas Day.

Upon leaving the Mill, His Royal Highness stopped and paid an unscheduled visit to a pub called The Prince of Wales to enjoyed a drink. He sampled some of the beer and jockingly told drinkers: "If there's anywhere I can get a free drink it's a pub called the Prince of Wales."

Well... if you spot a The Prince of Wales pub on your Congleton visit... pic.twitter.com/btU842tpRV

— Clarence House (@ClarenceHouse) January 24, 2018

After the Mill, Their Royal Highnesses walked up to the Town Hall, where they were met by a Guard of Honour from local Air and Army Cadets, Scouts and Guides.