The day King Charles III came to Tameside College

In December of the Queen's Silver Jubilee year in 1977, Tameside College ushered an enthusiastic young man through its Ashton campus doors. 

That man was none other than His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales - now His Majesty King Charles III - who lost no time in discovering the many different skills being taught. 

He met the engineering students making aids for handicapped people, others in the bakery department making Danish Pastries and fancy breads, and the heir to the throne even donned a pair of goggles and tried his hand at welding. 

The welding lecturer Eric Green, was most impressed by his efforts, commenting: “He made an excellent job of what he did and I’d certainly take him as a student.” 

Naturally there was much excitement in female student ranks over the visit of the then most eligible 29-year-old bachelor. 

Prince Charles’ tour of the college had included the showing of a film of a college performance of Cinderella, which may well have set the tone for the visit. 

One 16-year-old girl, Jacqueline Abrams of Hollingworth, won a £1 bet as Prince Charles was leaving the college, when she leaned over the barrier and snatched a kiss. 

Quick as a flash, the Prince asked if she was studying kissing at college! A few seconds later Charles was kissed again, though this time the 17-year-old student Debra Mathews did ask whether she might do so. 

The Prince, by now nicknamed ‘Prince Charming’ by the crowd, willingly accepted the kiss. 

He also said something to her, but Debra was so thrilled by what had happened that afterwards she couldn’t remember what it was. 

Amnesia seemed to be a feature of those who spoke with the Prince. 

Mrs Barbara Garlick, a secretary at the college, was so overcome with excitement when Charles gallantly picked up a handkerchief she had dropped, that she too, couldn’t remember what Charles had said to her. 

Yet while the memories of such details vanished almost immediately in a blur of royal inspired excitement, the atmosphere of the 1977 royal visit will doubtless remain with those who were there. 

For the 4,000 schoolchildren who were given time off school to welcome the Prince to Ashton, for the cheering onlookers who lined his route from the station to the college and for the students who chatted to him about their courses and their hopes for the future.

• Students, staff and former Principal at Tameside College Peter Ryder also met Charles in 2010.

On that occasion the former Prince of Wales was visiting the 19th century monastery in Gorton which was recently restored in a £7m revamp. 

The Prince was invited as part of his five day eco tour of Great Britain to promote the START NOW initiative, a new scheme encouraging waste reduction and reducing everyday energy costs. 

However, Tameside College Catering and Hospitality students were invited to serve the Prince at the Civic dinner, the only students in the North West to be invited to form part of the Food Service Team.  

The students assisted with the service to 400 VIP guests which included canapés, starter, main course and dessert.

One of the highlights of the evening was a digital recording of the budding chefs utilising their culinary skills in the kitchen of their preparations to the Prince. 

The students involved in the preparation and service were, Sam Brown, Rebecca Churchill, Ashley Hulme, Daniel Hill, Christina Whiteside, Joshua Sharp, Phillip Smart, Steven Hill, Leanne Warhurst, Terence Thornton, Paul Sykes, Claire Needham, Sarah Kelly and Walter Fullick.

The Bakery students also prepared a specially designed cake to support the Start Now initiative. The cake was presented to His Royal Highness who expressed his thanks and good wishes to all the students and the College Principal Peter Ryder.