Yes, the people of Tenby are still talking about it - that historic day when His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales charmed the town as he joined in the celebrations of two milestone anniversaries.

Having flown in by helicopter, Prince Charles's first visit was to the Warren Street offices of our sister paper', the Tenby Observer, which this year, as Pembrokeshire's oldest newspaper, is celebrating its 150th anniversary.

Flag-waving and cheering crowds, some of whom had waited patiently in the rain for several hours, lined the streets outside to give a warm Tenby welcome to the smiling Prince.

His arrival was heralded by the joyous sounds of the local Salvation Army Band. This was particularly poignant, as 25 years ago, the Salvation Army's Sunshine Club had prayed for the Observer during its dark and troubled times when the 'paper had announced its death and came close to closure.

Since then, however, with their prayers having been answered, the Observer, a household name in Tenby and its neighbourhood, has flourished under the ownership of Sir Ray Tindle CBE, who took over the reins in 1978.

Following an impromptu walkabout when he chatted to delighted well-wishers, the Prince was invited in to the Observer offices by Sir Ray, general manager Clare Townend and editor Neil Dickinson.

During his tour of the building, he was able to see the various departments at work and meet the staff involved in producing the 'paper.

He also viewed a fascinating exhibition on the history of the 'paper, from its founding in 1853 to the present day, and heard about one of its previous greatest milestones, when a protracted legal battle by its then owner, Frank B. Mason, resulted in the Admission of the Press Act in 1908.

The Prince then proceeded back to the hallway at the front of the building where he was invited to unveil a bilingual plaque to commemorate his visit and a second plaque detailing the history of the newspaper's fight for press freedom.

Afterwards, a delighted Sir Ray, who marked the occasion by presenting the Prince with a pair of 100-year-old silver anointing spoons similar to the 12th century one used for many hundreds of years in Coronation ceremonies, remarked that it was "the greatest day in the history of the Observer."

Agreeing, editor Neil Dickinson said: "There have been many memorable moments - some high and some low - in what has been a long and colourful history for the Observer, but few, if any, can have equalled this.

"Not only was it a great occasion for the 'paper, but for the town of Tenby in general.

"The whole visit was a great success and will be remembered for many years to come."

After spending an hour at the Observer offices, it was time for the Prince to bid farewell, with cheering crowds sending him on his way as his cavalcade moved off up Warren Street and through White Lion Street, High Street, Crackwell Street and Castle Square for his second engagement in the town at Tenby Museum and Art Gallery.

The museum is celebrating its 125th anniversary and the visit was specifically designed to introduce His Royal Highness to the various activities currently undertaken by local volunteers, demonstrating how this small, yet significant award-winning local museum is administered as a predominantly voluntary organisation on behalf of the community.

During his informal tour of the museum, the Prince, accompanied by hon. curator John Beynon and assistant curator Mark Lewis, met volunteers and staff engaged in reception, education, housekeeping, exhibition design, research, conservation, publication, maintenance and other activities.

He also met members of the trustees and viewed exhibitions, while senior museum volunteer, Eric Bradforth, presented him with a print of his painting 'Tenby in 1586', on behalf of the museum.

At the conclusion of his visit, the Prince was invited to unveil a plaque to commemorate the occasion and also to sign the visitors' book, before saying goodbye to Tenby and departing for the helicopter site at Clicketts Lane.

"All those who attended this event were grateful that the Prince of Wales was able to visit the museum at the time of this very significant anniversary," said Mr. Beynon afterwards.