Pirates Open ‘Cornwall Christmas Fair’

Pirates Open ‘Cornwall Christmas Fair’

The Cornwall Christmas Fair 2019 was officially opened at the Eden Project last Wednesday by Cornish Pirates’ players Tom Cowan-Dickie, Will Norton and James McRae.

Eden’s iconic biomes had once again turned green as the players cut a Macmillan green ribbon. This followed firstly Edward Bolitho, Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall and President of the Cornwall Christmas Fair, welcoming guests, and then Kieran Hemsworth, Managing Director of Ginsters of Cornwall, introducing the Pirates.

James and Will in conversation with Edward Bolitho and Kieran Hemsworth

Ginsters of Cornwall is a major sponsor of the Cornwall Christmas Fair, through the Ginsters Food Hall, and opening duty performed the Cornish Pirates afterwards happily handed out warm slices of Ginsters Pasties to visitors as they arrived in the Eden Kitchen.

Tom, James and Will pictured at the Ginsters Food Hall

The event also provided an opportunity to Christmas shop for a Cornish cause, as funds raised for Cornwall Macmillan will help provide invaluable care and support for those affected by cancer in the county.

The Eden Kitchen, between the two Biomes, played host to a glorious array of Christmas gifts and decorations, home accessories, clothing, jewellery and skincare, and a diverse, delectable range of artisan produce in the Ginsters Food Hall. Significantly, the stallholders – some of whom were making their first appearance in Cornwall – donated 15% of all takings to Cornwall Macmillan.

Returning after a spectacular debut in 2018, the ‘Great Coodes Christmas Cake Off’ saw Christmas cakes sold over the two days that had been baked by volunteers across Cornwall.

Cakes, baked with love by volunteers

The Ginsters Shepherd’s Hut also popped up on the bridge entrance to the Eden Kitchen, samples offering a range of hot pasties and slices crafted by Ginsters’ expert chefs – from Cornish Handcrafted recipes to vegan-friendly innovations.

Ahead of the opening Co-Chairman Kate Holborow had commented:

The Fair is about far more than Christmas shopping and revelry. Now in its 28th year and organised just by a team of volunteers, the event has become a lynchpin for raising vital funds, all of which go direct to Cornwall Macmillan.