A delicious plan is afoot to promote Liskeard as a 'Proper Cakey Tea Town,' incorporating the revival of its very own bun.

The Cornish habit of 'Proper Cakey Tea,' normally involves the eating of strawberries, scones, jam, clotted cream, a variety of cakes and much drinking of tea.

The plan for Liskeard is the inspiration of John Hesketh, the Town Centre Partnership co-ordinator, and is to be launched next Friday (June 26), to coincide with National Cream Tea Day.

From then on throughout the summer, the local community and hopefully many visitors will be able to enjoy a 'Proper Cakey Tea Trail,' around the town, with the 'Liskeard Bun' making its first appearance since 1972.

Up to 36 businesses in Liskeard have so far indicated they will be happy to be part of the trail which is aimed at bringing more people into the town in an enjoyable and novel way. It is hoped that Liskeard will become more popular year on year as the place to go for its 'tasty trail' putting it firmly on the tourist map each season.

Local cafes will be putting their 'Proper Cakey Teas' on their menus while non-food retailers will complement the trail in other ways. Ideas so far include special strawberry and cream soaps, jam making kits and recipe books in special displays, mouth-watering new fudges, strawberry plants, take-away Cornish cream tea kits and much more.

Tradition

The Liskeard Bun is an old tradition in the town which died out in 1967 when it was given out by the then mayor, the late Jack Howarth. However, it was revived again for one year by John Goldsworthy in June 1972 when he was mayor in the last year of Liskeard being a borough council.

Mr Goldsworthy, 84, a burgess of the town, says the bun, with its own recipe which has since been lost, was traditionally given out to all the young people who took part in the first Civic Parade after mayor choosing each June.

'It was baked for me by the late Roy Wilcox, from the bakery before Blakes in Dean Street, but no one is able so far to track down what happened to the recipe,' said Mr Goldsworthy. 'I recall I gave out up to 300 buns in specially printed bags. I have kept one of the bags in my scrap book.

'The town council intends to revive the bun which I support, as it is a shame to let these old and unique traditions be lost for ever.'

If the original recipe can't be found, the council will aim to re-create a 'Liskeard Bun'.

n Liskeard School and Community College are making plans for a 'Proper Cakey Teaparty ' on Friday July 17, to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Care.