FORMER Chester MP Gyles Brandreth and his daughter, Aphra Brandreth were joined by The Duchess of Cornwall, and Dame Joanna Lumley as they began The Commonwealth Poetry Podcast.

The first episode arrived on Sunday (June 12) and the series is set to take place over the next two year with 54 fortnightly episodes, each lasting half an hour. The podcast will explore the heritage, poetry and people of the Commonwealth and is being produced by staff and students from the University of Chester.

Recorded in the Garden Room at Clarence House in London ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Rwanda, The Duchess of Cornwall talks about The Duchess of Cornwall’s Reading Room; a social media hub for all things literature, her travels across the Commonwealth and her favourite British poets including Robert Burns, Ted Hughes and John Betjeman (who she knew).

Her Royal Highness, Dame Joanna Lumley and Gyles and Aphra Brandreth also read poems together (alternating verses) encouraging people to meet up for informal 'poetry slams' over tea and coffee with friends and neighbours.

Chester and District Standard:

The Commonwealth Poetry Podcast is produced by staff and students from the University of Chester, which counts The Duchess, Joanna Lumley and Gyles Brandreth among its honorary graduates. Niall Thomas and Shantell Esse Agoregyo; students from the university, were present when the first episode was recorded and have worked alongside fellow student Olowale Odumosu in creating the final version.

Gyles Brandreth said: "The podcast explores the wealth of literacy wonders across the Commonwealth. We are thrilled to have The Duchess of Cornwall and Dame Joanna Lumley as our first guests talking about the British poetry that matters to them.

"In our next episode we’re visiting Rwanda, a beautiful country with a troubled past, and meeting a Rwandan Poet who confronts both its beauty and its pain.

"Then it’s St Kitts and Nevis, Cameroon, Solomon Islands, Australia, Cyprus. In 54 episodes, we’re going around the Commonwealth – home to two and a half billion people – using poetry as our guide. In some episodes there is singing and dancing, too."

Chancellor for the University of Chester, Mr Brandreth continued: "We currently have students and staff from 28 different Commonwealth countries at the University of Chester, and I’m thrilled that this project has provided a wonderful opportunity to showcase the impressive creative skills and talents of individuals from across the institution."

Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall will attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting which takes place in Kigali, Rwanda during the week of 20th June.

The Commonwealth Poetry Podcast is now available across Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music platforms.