Prince Charles had the opportunity to talk to members of IET, Todmorden's self-sufficiency group, twice as they were given the honour of becoming one of only 19 break-through projects to be chosen by the Sustainable Development Commission to be taken forward to help transform the UK into a sustainable society.
IET members, Pam Warhurst, Mary Clear and Nick Green with Professor Paul Clarke and Calderdale Council's director of Community Services, Kirsten England, were chatting to Prince Charles at the event in London last week.
"We had the chance to speak to Prince Charles twice because the fish farm was set up as a separate exhibit at the event," explained Mary.
"He loved what we were doing. He said we were very cunning and he was aware of Todmorden because of the Burnley Curve.
"Nick drove down with the fish and the aquaponics unit in his car and he stayed in the car overnight.
"Jonathon Porritt, who is stepping down as chairman of SDC, said that Todmorden is leading the way. And Prince Charles gave a very good speech."
And this may lead on to other things as links may be forged between Todmorden and London and ITV has also shown interest in filming the work of IET.
And as IET members were chatting to royalty in London a second team scooped two awards in Thirsk at the same time. Lynne Midwinter, Helena Cook, both members of IET, and Louise Harrison, project co-ordinator of the Upper Calder Valley Renaissance, travelled to Thirsk for the presentation of the Action for Market Towns Initiative awards.
IET not only won the Environment and Culture section of the awards but also beat 90 entries to take the award for the best overall project, which means that IET will go forward to the national awards in October.
Lynne said they were all delighted with the result. "We had an idea that we were in with a good chance to win our section as we'd been asked to give a presentation but we didn't know we'd be the overall winner.
"I think IET stood out because it's so vibrant and a community project on so many levels. IET is great at finding good people to take on and run with projects, such as the every egg matters and the work with schools."
Louise said the aims of IET were in tune with the Upper Calder Valley Renaissance's 25-year plan, which is based on making the area more sustainable.