STAFF at an egg producer in Cornwall enjoyed a visit from Her Royal Highness (HRH) The Princess Royal yesterday (October 4). 

Anne, Princess Royal, visited St. Ewe Free Range Eggs in Truro to open a new grading and packing centre. She unveiled a plaque to ccommemorate the opening and was presented with a Cornish hamper by the seven-year-old daughter of the company's CEO. 

Bex Tonks, CEO of St. Ewe Free Range Eggs, said they were 'honoured' to have a visit from HRH. 

"We hope that it will demonstrate how our British family business supports other family farms around the UK," she said.

South West Farmer: Bex Tonks (CEO) shows HRH The Princess Royal around St. Ewe Free Range Eggs.

"If it wasn’t for their dedication to farming and the hard work of our whole team, St. Ewe Free Range Eggs wouldn’t be where they are today. 

"British farmers play such an important role in nurturing the nation's food system, as well as delivering a wide range of environmental and rural community benefits which span well beyond the farm gates. Supporting British has never been so important, and we feel incredibly proud to be part of this magnificent industry. 

"I speak on behalf of the whole St. Ewe family when I say that it marked a huge moment for us, as we reflect, with huge pride, on our combined achievements over the past 41 years.” 

The new purpose built packing centre is 50,000sq.ft, thanks to the support of Defra grant funding. The centre has specialist machinery, which enables the business to grow from one million eggs per week to two to three million per week. As the processing capacity of the business has increased, this has also led to more employment opportunities in the community. 

The Tonks Family diversified into poultry in 1982 and founded St Ewe Free Range Eggs in 2007 when they began packing their own free-range eggs for the supermarkets under their own brand.