Posted by Ann
There was a great atmosphere at Porthleven when we arrived for the presentation event. Music, yummy food, drinks, lots of people and perfect weather added up to a great night out. Over 30 years ago my mother and I started our pasty business An Gegyn at the bottom of Fore Street, Porthleven. We had been making and selling pasties from a market held on Saturdays and Mondays at a market in Helston behind the Museum. My mother Hettie Merrick, Aunty Joyce Higgs and I carted all the equipment (including oven) and ingredients up the cobbled walkway to set up our stall each market day. It was hard work but we were always rewarded by selling out of our pasties.
When David Mitchell, a cousin by marriage, told us he had an empty, newly built shop available in Porthleven for rent we decided to ‘go for it’. Mum and I borrowed £3000 pounds, a lot of money in they days, from the Midland Bank, Helston and my husband Tony Muller fitted the empty shop out. It was made to look like a Cornish Kitchen, hence the name ‘An Gegyn’. We had a Cornish range ,not working, and chaise long plus typical ornaments and china you’d find in a Cornish kitchen of my mum’s childhood.Our shop was an instant success even though we opened in January. Apart from pasties we sold heavy cake, saffron buns and sometimes date pastry and other favourites. I loved working at An Gegyn with Mum, Joyce Higgs, Nora Pascoe and Dulsie Kelly. These ladies were all Porthleveners and new all the local customers. There was always some ‘banter’ and laughter going on. Fergus my son who is now 3rd generation commercial pasty maker based in Helston would love to have an outlet back in Porthleven. One day hopefully!
If you would like to hear some of The Rosie Crow Band’s great music she will be playing here on the 17th of June
Please Click on the poster to find out more
