|
While politicians sped along the campaign trail, the Earl and Countess
of Wessex proceeded at a more sedate pace yesterday as they showed
support for Cornwall's tourism sector and its community regeneration
initiatives.
Glorious sunshine greeted the royal couple yesterday as they began
their latest tour of Cornwall with a visit to Newlyn, St Ives, Carbis
Bay and St Michael's Mount.
Waiting to greet them outside the Royal Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen
were dozens of children from Newlyn Infant and Junior School and
also members of Newlyn Guides, whose national president is the Countess.
The Earl and Countess then ventured their separate ways as she
was shown a new computer centre on the Gwavas estate and a community
centre project at Trinity Methodist Church.
The Earl was given a harbour tour on David Hooper's fishing boat,
shown regeneration plans for the port and presented with a box of
fish, including his favourite megrim, by Elizabeth Stevenson. The
royals were treated to a buffet lunch and the best of local produce
in the Fishermen's Mission, with 40 guests.
As a farewell gift, they were presented with a cookery book and
the best local fish recipes.
Simon Jones, assistant superintendent in charge of the Mission,
said: "These were our first royal visitors since the Duke of
York in 2002.
"We found them relaxed and informal. They were delighted by
the warmth of the welcome and the friendliness shown by everyone."
The couple then went across the water from Marazion to St Michael's
Mount, one of Cornwall's best-known landmarks and most visited National
Trust attractions, in an amphibian craft owned by their hosts, James
and Mary St Aubyn.
The Earl and Countess were introduced to the residents who live
on St Michael's Mount and the National Trust staff who work there.
They visited the top of the mount for a tour of the ancient chapel,
castle and then the hillside gardens. Mr St Aubyn, a leading local
businessman and former High Sheriff, said: "We were honoured
to receive a visit from the Earl and Countess.
"It is always a wonderful occasion when royalty visits the
mount. Everyone involved has been really looking forward to meeting
them."
Today the Earl and Countess will spend much of their time in and
around Newquay, Cornwall's busiest tourism area.
They will be shown the Cornish Cyder Farm at Callestick, Cornwall's
most popular tourism attraction with over 300,000 visitors a year,
before moving on to the Lusty Glaze beach adventure education centre
at Newquay.
This afternoon they will be at the Watergate Bay Hotel, Extreme
Academy and Beach Hut Bistro complex before completing their tour
at Dairy Land Farmworld, near Summercourt - one of Britain's first
farm tourism attractions when it first opened to the public 30 years
ago.
South West Tourism chief executive Malcolm Bell said: "These
visits have been designed to showcase the quality, range and sheer
variety of what is on offer in Cornwall for all age groups."
article copyright © WESTERN MORNING NEWS
 |
