On Thursday, 31 July TRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall visited Adnams brewery in Southwold, together with the Southwold butcher and other local shops. They then drove to the Blythburgh White Hart Inn with its village shop. From there they went to Snape Maltings to experience a Suffolk farmers market and view the extensive regeneration of the Victorian Malthouses. At the Maltings they saw how Snape, set in its incomparable landscape of reeds, water and farmland, is becoming a hub of enterprise, arts and local food.

The Royal visit began with a tour of the Snape farmers market, which is held monthly on the quayside of the River Alde. The Countess of Cranbrook, president of the Aldeburgh Food and Drink Festival and national food campaigner, introduced them to the stall holders. East Suffolk has become famous for the variety, quality and abundance of the food and drink it produces. The farmers market is a showcase selection of local products, including award winning Suffolk cheeses, pressed apple juices, organic vegetables, Suffolk meats, Suffolk’s first salami, artisan breads and much else.

Speaking on behalf of all local food and drink producers, Lady Cranbrook said: "The Prince of Wales is a true advocate for the countryside.  Farmers and food producers throughout Britain, from Caithness to Cornwall, owe him a huge debt for the practical help and advice he has given to them.  He has done much to raise awareness of the importance of local food and, as a farmer and food producer himself, has led by example.  We are thrilled to welcome the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall to Snape Farmers Market.  The stalls represented a selection of Suffolk's amazing range of wonderful local food and drink.  Both spoke to every stallholder and sampled something from every stall.  We were proud and honoured to welcome them."

In the field of architecture, the Prince of Wales is a renowned expert and, as with food, has also led by example. He has a particular interest in finding new uses for historic industrial buildings. Following the Farmers Market His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales looked at the Maltings regeneration project - the Aldeburgh Music buildings, maltings museum, retailing area and residential which are currently under development.

Johnny and Alesha Godderham who own the site and have driven this project forward together with Aldeburgh Music, said: "This is a very special opportunity for us to share the Maltings development and demonstrate how our collection of Grade II listed buildings have a viable future.  We have worked hard to combine recreational, musical, artistic and environmental interests in a sustainable way to ensure that all co-exist in harmony.  It was a great privilege to discuss this project with the Prince of Wales, who has significant experience and valuable insight into projects of this nature."

Jonathan Reekie, Chief Executive of Aldeburgh Music, added: "Since the very early days of the Aldeburgh Festival, we have been privileged to have the Royal family follow our artistic vision very closely, and it was indeed HM the Queen who opened Snape Maltings Concert Hall.  We were absolutely delighted that the Prince of Wales came to see the building progress of our 'creative campus', which will turn into reality what was always Britten and Pears' original vision for the site - to create a place of energy and inspiration for music and the arts."

The Duchess of Cornwall visited the House & Garden shop and met members of the Snape Maltings staff, Mrs Pat Lord and Mrs Julia Pipe, who have both worked for the Gooderham family for over 30 years.  Pat, aged 80 years moved to the Maltings following evacuation from London in the Second World War when she was 11.  Julia Pipe began selling local crafts at the Maltings in the early 1970s and today is overseeing the retail expansion as part of the Maltings regeneration project.