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HRH visits Derbyshire

8th December 2006

The Prince of Wales visited a Christmas pudding factory and an award-winning village in Derbyshire today.

The Duchess of Cornwall was unable to attend the day as intended after suffering a bout of gastroenteritis.

The Prince visited the Matthew Walker site in Heanor, Derbyshire, where the organic Christmas pudding for Duchy Originals, and many other brands of Christmas puddings, are made.

Duchy Originals, which was founded by The Prince in 1990, generates more than £1 million in profit for charity each year.

It is one of the UK’s best-known and most successful organic and natural brands with over 200 different products, including selling food, drink, gardening tools and furniture.

Matthew Walker founded the factory bearing his name in 1899, producing traditional puddings, cakes and preserves, using his mother’s recipes. The company became part of Northern Foods in 1992, when it started specialising solely on the production of Christmas puddings.

The Prince was told how the Heanor plant produces some 25 million Christmas puddings every year.

It employs 160 permanent staff, and 350 during peak times (in the run up to 25th December).

Among its brands is the Duchy Originals pudding, which, like all other products in the Duchy Originals range, is sold to make money for The Prince’s Charities Foundation.

"Delicious," said The Prince as he tucked into one.

Category manager of puddings Bill Mackie said: "It was fabulous and a real honour.

"We have been making his product for five years now and what better accolade than for him to come and see it. It has left a real feel-good factor.

"He apologised that The Duchess of Cornwall could not be here and that she had been looking forward to it."

The Prince's second engagement on his visit to north Derbyshire was Ashover, which was recently crowned the Calor Village of the Year.

His Royal Highness sampled the local cider, spoke to members of the War Widows' Association, of which he is Patron, and met the man who trains owls for Harry Potter films.

After unveiling a plaque to commemorate his visit and the village's award, The Prince said: "Can I just say what a real pleasure it is to be with you in Ashover today. You are such a wonderful example of what a community should be.

The Prince toured the village, visiting some of the shops and All Saints Church. His Royal Highness also spent time in the village pub, the Crispin Inn, and met members of the community including farmers, members of the Women’s Institute and a group of residents from the Old People’s Welfare Association.

Before leaving, The Prince switched on the Christmas tree lights and unveiled a plaque.