News
TRH visit the historic town of Falmouth in Jamaica
13th March 2008
The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall visited the historic town of Falmouth on their second day in Jamaica.
His Royal Highness, who is on an 11-day overseas tour with The Duchess of Cornwall, walked around the town and sampled some of the local delicacies at a traditional Jamaican ‘bend down’ market.
The picturesque settlement of Falmouth is being restored to its former Georgian splendour.
The town is also being developed as a major destination for cruise ships and is an example of Jamaica using its heritage to attract visitors, one of the major income generators for the island.
The Prince and The Duchess began their tour of Falmouth by walking the streets of the town, one of the best preserved 18th Century settlements in the Caribbean.
Under a burning sun Their Royal Highnesses admired some of the buildings restored by Falmouth Heritage Renewal, an American non-profit organisation dedicated to saving the historic properties.
Many of the timber and brick fronted homes have been lived in for more than 200 years and have unique 'gingerbread' fretwork and jalousie windows.
The Prince has a long standing interest in heritage buildings and founded The Prince’s Regeneration Trust to save large historical buildings in the United Kingdom.
As Their Royal Highnesses strolled through the streets they waved at residents and stopped to chat to many of the people who had turned out to greet them.
When The Prince stopped in the market he met sugar cane seller Carlos Morgan who cut him a piece of the sweet treat.
The Prince thanked him and chewed on the local delicacy. Mr Morgan said afterwards: "He asked me to cut some cane for him and he said he loved it."
During their walking tour of Falmouth Their Royal Highnesses met the Minister of Tourism, The Honourable Edmund Bartlett and the Executive Director of Falmouth Heritage Renewal, Dr. James Parent.
Whe nthey reached the town courthouse they were greeted by the Mayor of Falmouth, His Worship The Mayor Colin Junior Gager and local councillors.
Their Royal Highnesses were later shown plans for Falmouth's new cruise liner pier development before they attended a reception for supporters of the Rose Town regeneration project. The project is transforming a poor and neglected part of the Jamaican capital Kingston.
Yesterday The Prince and The Duchess toured Rose Town where His Royal Highness’s organisation, The Prince's Foundation for the Built Environment, is working with the Kingston Restoration Company to help regenerate the deprived area.
The Rose Town reception was staged in the aptly named Rose Hall, a restored period home on Jamaica's North coast.
Later in the day, Their Royal Highnesses attended a tourism reception hosted by Edmund Bartlett, the Jamaican minister of tourism, at the Half Moon hotel in Montego Bay.
During the event The Prince and The Duchess chatted with industry experts in a marquee close to a white sandy beach.
Before they left they were treated to a cultural performance of traditional Calypso singers who sang the famous song, Jamaica Farewell.