independent Cornish news and comment

Penwith: Prince Charles visit

The Prince of Wales was the recipient of a warm welcome as he visited Hayle on Wednesday. The Prince made a brief appearance as part of a short visit to the town's multi-million pound Harvey's Foundary Project.


As Prince Charles disembarked from the Royal Train at Hayle railway station he was greeted by a plethora of local people, school children and dignitaries. Amongst the crowd was Majorie Roberts, Mayor of Hayle. Mrs Roberts was gracefully dressed in matching dress suit and hat yet, quite amusingly, was mistaken by some of the people for the Queen herself.

In particular, the Prince met Octogenarian Bet Willis, one of nine residents from Bonaer Nursing Home who had been brought to see the heir to the throne. Charles asked the 87-year-old if she was feeling the cold and then laughed when Bet replied: 'No, not at all. I've got five pairs of drawers on!'

Next, the Prince moved on to talk to some children from St Piran and Bodriggy primary schools. The pupils enthusiastically waved Cornish flags and cheered Charles with great passion.

After his spontaneous walkabout the Prince was driven to Harvey's Foundary Project, where he observed a tour of the completed first phase of the scheme. He visited offices, workshops and exhibitions at the restored foundary and met locals who have started businesses with the assistanceof the Prince's Trust.

Charles was welcomed by the secretary of Harvey's Foundary Trust, Stella Thomas, who invited him to unveil a commemorative plaque to celebrate the visit. The plaque was made by the Prince's Foundation artist Adam Williamson and, according to the Prince, was 'one of the finest I have ever seen'.

During the unveiling ceremony Prince Charles quirked: 'It is so nice to be in Cornwall when it's not raining!' He praised everyone involved in the completion of the first phase of the project, identifying the support of Penwith Council. He commented that having been here in 1999 at the start of the project it was especially pleasing to witness the progress that had been made. 'You should be very proud.' he remarked.

The Prince declared that he would look forward to coming to Hayle again in order to see the next stage of the Harvey's Project.

After the ninety minute visit, the Prince returned to his Royal Train and headed to Truro for a visit to the new Knowledge Spa at the Royal Cornwall Hospital, Treliske.

All in all it was a very special day for the Duchy.