The Prince of Wales, known as the Duke of Cornwall while in the county, has tried his hand at making a traditional Cornish pasty during a special visit to mark St Piran's Day. William visited the Gear Farm Pasty Company in Helston, which is run by Dave and Ann Webb along with their children Jemma and Michael.
Supporting Storm Recovery Efforts
The royal visit came as Cornwall continues to recover from the devastating impact of Storm Goretti, which struck the county in January with winds approaching 100 miles per hour. The severe weather caused widespread damage across the region, leaving approximately 50,000 homes without power and blocking major highways and rural routes with thousands of fallen trees.
Tragically, one man lost his life when a tree fell onto his caravan in the Mawgan area of Helston during what has been described as the worst storm to hit Cornwall in decades. Emergency services and local volunteers worked tirelessly around the clock to clear debris, restore essential services, and protect isolated or vulnerable residents throughout the crisis.
Pasty Making with Royal Flair
During his visit to the family-run bakery, William was shown the art of pasty making by Jemma Webb, who demonstrated the proper crimping technique. As he spooned potato into the pastry and attempted to fold it over, the prince humorously remarked: "Oh my goodness, there's a lot more going into this than I thought."
William went on to joke about his culinary efforts, saying: "I feel I may be taking this one home guys. Everyone loves a trier." He added with characteristic self-deprecation: "I appreciate the comments but this is not my finest hour. This is where I need my wife, she would be all over this."
Admiring his finished creation, William described it as looking "like a slightly ill crab" before conceding: "It's alright, passable. Yours look so perfect. It's really not easy, is it? This is something machinery can't help with. It all has to be handmade."
Community Resilience During the Storm
The Gear Farm Pasty Company itself faced significant challenges during Storm Goretti, experiencing prolonged power and water outages while being cut off by fallen trees on narrow rural roads. Thanks to a recently installed generator, the Webb family were able to continue baking throughout the crisis and support local residents who were without essential services for several days.
During his visit, William met with members of the Webb family and local people who had helped clear roads, check on neighbours, and maintain vital access for those requiring daily care. The prince toured the bakery facilities, observed pasty production, met with staff members, and participated in the traditional pasty-making process.
Planting for the Future
To mark the occasion and contribute to the farm's recovery, William planted a tree in a new woodland area being established on the property. This symbolic gesture represented both hope for the future and recognition of the community's resilience in the face of natural disaster.
The visit highlighted the importance of local businesses and community networks in supporting vulnerable residents during extreme weather events, while also celebrating Cornwall's cultural heritage on its patron saint's day through the county's most iconic culinary tradition.
