In a new initiative as part of Cornish Pasty Week our members have come together to show their appreciation for some of Cornwall’scrucial emergency and rescue services.

Across the week, the lovable life-size characters, Mr and Mrs Pasty, have travelled from Land’s End to the Tamar, spreading the word about Cornish Pasty Week and also surprising emergency crews across the county with generous helpings of Cornish pasties provided by members of the Cornish Pasty Association.

The first stop was West Cornwall Hospital, Penzance, where NHS staff received a thank you from Warrens Bakery of St Just.  Then on Tuesday, Pete Symonds of Portreath Bakery, whose father worked in the ambulance service, paid a visit to Redruth Ambulance Station, while Prima Bakeries of Scorrier provided welcome sustenance for Tolvaddon Fire Station.

Cornwall Air Ambulance and the RNLI, two services very close to Cornish hearts, also received due recognition.  Cornish Premier Pasties of St Columb called in to the Air Ambulance base and the Chough Bakery provided pasties for the lifeboat station at Trevose Head.

Last stop was Cornwall Blood Bikes, a volunteer out of hours service for transporting essential blood supplies, who received pasties from Helluva Pasties near Callington.

We often describe the Cornish pasty as Cornwall’s hero food, so we wanted to use this week of celebration as an opportunity to recognise the real life heroes who save lives and do so much selfless work to keep our communities safe and well.

Cornish Pasty Week culminates with the World Pasty Championships at the Eden Project on Saturday 2nd March.  Alongside a full programme of entertainment led by the Fishermen’s Friends, up to 200 pasties will compete to win one of the eight coveted titles.  Our members will also be on hand helping children make their own pasties.  Donations from this activity will be given to Cornwall Air Ambulance.