This week, I welcomed a
delegation from the Cornish Pasty Association to Parliament. Association
members and pasty producers were able to discuss the importance of the Cornish
pasty industry to our local economy. I am clear that the Cornish Pasty will
retain its protected status when we leave the EU.
This week marks the start of the
very first Cornish Pasty Week. A delegation, including a giant Mr and Mrs
Pasty, took over the sleeper train service from Cornwall to London on Sunday
night. They visited landmarks including Buckingham Palace and the London Eye,
before coming to parliament. The week will end with the World Pasty Championships
taking place at the Eden Project. Pasty makers will descend from around
Cornwall, the UK and the world to take part.
The Cornish pasty is recognised
across the world. When Cornish miners fanned out across the world, they took
the pasty with them. I remember a former colleague from Australia telling me
about the Cornish festivals that used to take place in the town where he grew
up. We have also developed great links with Real Del Monte in Mexico. I have
met representatives of the town on several occasions, including local pasty
makers. 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.
When I first became an MP, the
Government announced that it would put VAT on freshly baked pasties. The
traditional exemption from VAT was what civil servants described as an
“anomaly”. Along with my fellow Cornish MPs, I battled to ensure this didn’t
happen. Thankfully, common sense prevailed. It was partly this debacle that led
to the idea of a pasty festival in Redruth.
Cornish Pasty Week is a great
celebration, and everyone can get involved. Brian Etherington’s in Redruth will
be producing the largest pasty for the #pastysmile. Proper Cornish are giving
away pasties on certain train services, whilst Warren’s Bakery are promoting
their ‘pasty passport’ and a school competition to design a new pasty flavour.
These celebrations are taking
place in the run up to St Piran’s Day. Over the past few years, we have seen a
growing interest in Cornwall’s history and culture. Camborne, Redruth and Hayle
are at the very heart of this revival. The new Cornish archive, Kresen Kernow,
is really taking shape on the site of the old brewery. I lobbied hard to ensure
that Redruth, home to most of the world-wide Cornish diaspora, was chosen as
the location for this project, which will create new jobs, housing and continue
the wider regeneration of the area.
This weekend, I am looking
forward to attending the St Piran’s Day Procession in Redruth. I will also be
going to the St Piran’s Day festivities at the Buttermarket. This will include
craft activities, food stalls and entertainment by Raise the Ruth singers.
