Portreath Bakery

The Cornish pasty industry has been one of the great success stories in Cornwall in recent years with many local companies ranging from Cornish Oven, Philp's, Rowe's and Berryman's in Redruth all seeing growth locally.

 Last week, I visited Marion Symonds and her fantastic team at Portreath Bakery’s factory at Pool.  This is a company that was started in a small shop but now, like many others has seen considerable growth.

I learnt a lot during the visit. Marion and her team have recently introduced a gluten-free Cornish pasty. We have seen a sharp rise in food allergies and intolerances in recent years, including allergies and intolerances to wheat.  The reasons for this are complex but some suggest that changes to wheat varieties over the years to give them a higher gluten content to make them easier to bake has had a negative effect for some and created an increase in allergies.  

Marion and I also discussed the annual pasty festival in Redruth which takes place next month and the work that has been done in developing international links between Cornwall and Mexico (which also hosts its own pasty festival). Many years ago, Cornish miners settled at Real Del Monte in Mexico. Cornish miners were responsible for developing silver mining in Real Del Monte during the nineteenth century. They also introduced football and other sports to Mexico. Hundreds of Cornish miners ended their lives in the area and many are to be found in one of the local cemeteries, apparently facing home to Cornwall which was a common request at the time.