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HRH the Duke of Cornwall attends Cornwall Community Foundation event

HRH The Duke of Cornwall was guest of honour at a fundraising garden party for the Cornwall Community Foundation yesterday (Tuesday, 13th June) at Tregothnan near Truro.



The fundraising event was attended by more than 472 guests who were given the opportunity to meet with projects that have benefited from funding from the Cornwall Community Foundation (CCF).

The event was originally planned to welcome HRH The Duchess of Cornwall as the charity’s patron, but following the death of the Duchess’s father at the weekend, and subsequently the cancellation of her public engagements in Cornwall, HRH The Duke of Cornwall generously took her place at the reception, so as not to disappoint the guests.

During the reception he was introduced to project co-ordinators, beneficiaries and supporters of the foundation.

Reflecting on the royal visit Andrew Middleton, Chief Executive of the Cornwall Community Foundation said: “Today we have enjoyed great support and the enthusiastic attendance of nearly 500 people; it’s been a fantastic fund raising event and just a hugely enjoyable day. It’s inspirational to see how people will turn out to support this independent Cornish Charity and today we have raised our profile as well as funds. None of this would have happened without the generosity of The Hon Evelyn Boscawen and his wife Lady Katie, plus the organising committee who worked so hard to reach so many people and gather this amazing support”.

Member of the organising committee, Rob Hartley from Trevornick Holiday Park said: “Today has gone fantastically well; it’s been a unique event for Cornwall with near 500 people gathered here at Tregothnan for a very Cornish event. It’s been wonderful profile building for Cornwall Community Foundation.”

James Staughton, Managing Director of St Austell Brewery and a sponsor of Cornwall Community Foundation said: “Today’s garden party has been very special – St Austell Brewery is delighted to support this special event in such a wonderful location. It’s the perfect setting for fundraising for such a great Cornish charity”.

Alex Patrick of the Patrick Foundation, major contributors to the Cornwall Community Foundation said: “Due to the Duchess of Cornwall being unable to attend Cornwall Community Foundation we have been honoured by the generosity of HRH the Duke Cornwall in attending our event.

“With so many attending it will help draw wider attention to the Cornwall Community Foundation and help people understand what the fund does for Cornish people and Royal support has been vital in helping spread that awareness.

“Today’s event has had great synergy serving to raise significant funds for the charity and raising the profile of the fund so that, hopefully, more people will support this independent charity for Cornwall. We are happy to give support to such an excellent cause.”


Dennis Angilly, local businessman: “I’m always delighted to support Cornish events and independent Cornish charities and it’s very pleasing to see how the Cornwall Community Foundation is gaining momentum. Who could not be impressed with such a wonderful setting for a fund raising event?”


Amongst the projects that have benefited from funding administered through the CCF were the Lord Lieutenants Trust Fund for Youth in Cornwall.

Martha Travis from Penzance, who received a grant to contribute to travel costs to enable her to represent England at international table tennis tournaments said: “This is the first time I have met a Royal and I have been very excited and feel very special. I’m very grateful to the Lord Lieutenant’s Fund for Youth in Cornwall for their support and this opportunity; I’m about to go to the Isle of Man Schools Table Tennis Championship. It’s something I wouldn’t be doing without the support of the Lord Lieutenant’s Fund, which is run by the Community Foundation.”

Jenny Bracken from Redruth, who won a grant in recognition of her talent as a young dressage rider said: “This is my first time at an event like this, or meeting a Royal. HRH the Duke of Cornwall was very encouraging and told me as long as I remained determined I’d get there – I certainly hope so!”

Jenny has just returned from competing in an international dressage competition in Ireland where she was placed in all her classes – a trip undertaken as a result of sponsorship by the Lord Lieutenant’s Fund.


Key among the organisers was Linda Hendy who said: “What a blessing the weather turned out to be; perfect garden party weather for a perfect day. We all think it was extremely generous of HRH the Duke of Cornwall to give his time and wonderful that the Boscawen’s lent us such stunning setting for what has to be a unique Cornish event. A great way to let people know about the Cornwall Community Foundation”

Mrs Evelyn Boscawen echoed her sentiments about the weather “We think the event’s been fabulous and we were blessed in the end with the good weather. We were extremely honoured the HRH the Duke of Cornwall added this event into his itinerary for the day. We are all very sad for the Duchess of Cornwall at this time.

“Our guests have been entertained by the band and circus performers, many of whom are recipients of funding from Cornwall Community Foundation and everyone, trustees, those who have given and those who have received funds and the guests who are helping raise more funds, have all enjoyed themselves.

“I don’t know of another event like this being held at Tregothnan but we were inspired to do it for the Cornwall Community Foundation.”