Last updated at 16:48, Tuesday, 03 April 2012

If the snow and driving rain put off Prince Charles during his visit to Wigton he certainly didn’t show it.

Prince Charles in Wigton

His Royal Highness shook hands, chatted to locals and accepted gifts while walking through the town centre this afternoon.

The visit was in recognition of the 750th anniversary of the town’s Market Charter and involved trips through the town’s Youth Station, the Fountain Art Gallery and St Mary’s Church before heading to the Market Hall and viewing assembled exhibits.

Despite the unseasonable snow, townsfolk turned out in huge numbers and were delighted by the Prince’s friendly and easy-going nature.

For a full report of the Prince's visit to Wigton and more pictures see tomorrow's News & Star.

After leaving Wigton, he viewed presentations from youngsters supported by The Prince’s Countryside Fund in Cumbria and met fund supporters at a reception at Greystone House Farm in Stainton.

The final stop in his whirlwind tour was Dalemain, near Penrith, to celebrate the eighth International Dalemain Marmalade Festival and Awards. He was due to taste marmalade entries from this year’s festival and meet supporters and volunteers.

For a full report and pictures of the Prince's visits to Stainton and Dalemain see tomorrow's News & Star.

The Prince of Wales had a packed schedule for his day in Cumbria.

It began with a morning tipple as he helped mark the 10th anniversary of Hawkshead Brewery.

He pulled a pint of Windermere Pale and gave the royal seal of approval to the aromatic beer, saying it was “hoppy” and “tasty”.

The firm is among 40 located on a “green” business park in the South Lakeland village of Staveley.

Charles unveiled a plaque to commemorate the company's anniversary and was presented with a selection of bottled ales.

He chatted with other business owners and also toured More? The Artisan Bakery run by local couple Patrick and Louise Moore.

Mr Moore’s seven-year-old daughter Milly presented The Prince of Wales with a bread basket of more goodies.

Charles also dropped in at handmade furniture makers Waters & Acland, where he was given a view of its craftsmanship and met the firm’s first apprentice.

He then went on to meet staff and volunteers at Dove Cottage - the home poet William Wordsworth shared with his sister Dororthy from 1799 to 1808 - and the next-door Wordsworth Museum.

Charles - patron of the Wordsworth Trust - studied a passage in Dorothy’s diary which inspired the poem Ode - Intimations Of Immortality from recollections of early childhood, which he chose as a reading at his wedding to the Duchess of Cornwall in 2005.

First published at 16:45, Tuesday, 03 April 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk