‘Best day ever’ says Ross Taylor as he welcomes HRH the Princess Royal to 90 minute tour of Corkers Crisps near Ely

When a helicopter landed at Willow Farm, Little Downham, it was for farmer Ross Taylor “the best day ever”.

Ely Standard: HRH The Princess Royal on a visit to Corkers Crisps at Little Downham. She stepped from the helicopter to be warmly greeted by company bosses as she visited the factory and met workers. Picture; ROB BARTON HRH The Princess Royal on a visit to Corkers Crisps at Little Downham. She stepped from the helicopter to be warmly greeted by company bosses as she visited the factory and met workers. Picture; ROB BARTON (Image: Archant)

For as HRH the Princess Royal stepped down to be greeted by Mr Taylor he recognised it was acknowledgement of how far his company has progressed.

Corkers Crisps is just 12 years old but now its iconic brand is familiar in over 45 countries across the globe - and is still expanding.

Mr Taylor, co-founder of the business, said he only knew a month ago of his royal visitor - long enough to put together a Fenland welcome for her.

He said the visit had been arranged through the lord lieutenant Julie Spence after she had been advised by one of her former deputies about the company's success.

"Before we knew it we had Princess Anne for a visit," he said.

"It was quite informal - she came into the factory and began her tour round to see the product being made."

Most if not all of his 78 strong workforce was on hand to meet and greet the Princess Royal "and one of the best bits was how lovely and down to earth she was".

Mr Taylor said: "She was knowledgeable and interested and clearly understands agriculture and potatoes."

During her 90-minute visit, the princess handed out awards to long serving members of staff and took with her a basket full of the Corkers range of crisps.

"As she was taking them back on board the helicopter she joked she was going to eat them before her grandchildren could get hold of them," he said.

Willow Farm has been in the Taylor family since the 1800s and Ross is the latest in a long line to carry on the tradition.

The Princess Royal handed out long service awards to Mark Belam, who has worked on the farm for 27 years, and another to Howard Richardson, who although nearly 80 has worked there for 25 years with little thought of retirement.

Mr Taylor said although the topic was naturally banned from being discussed with his royal visitor, Brexit was rarely far from his working day thoughts.

"Of the 45 countries we export to, probably around 30 are in the EU," he said.

"If we don't get it sorted it could be a short term disaster."

Ely Standard: HRH the Princess Royal on her visit to Corkers Crisps near Ely. During the day she met members of staf some of whom have worked with the firm for many years. During the day long serving members of staff were awarded certificates. Picture; BRIAN STARLING (for Corkers) HRH the Princess Royal on her visit to Corkers Crisps near Ely. During the day she met members of staf some of whom have worked with the firm for many years. During the day long serving members of staff were awarded certificates. Picture; BRIAN STARLING (for Corkers) (Image: BPSPhotography2015)

Ely Standard: HRH the Princess Royal was warmly welcomed to East Cambridgeshire as she paid a 90 minute visit to Corkers Crisps at Little Downham. She toured the factory, handed out long service awards, and chatted to the company's woprkforce. Picture; MIKE ROUSE HRH the Princess Royal was warmly welcomed to East Cambridgeshire as she paid a 90 minute visit to Corkers Crisps at Little Downham. She toured the factory, handed out long service awards, and chatted to the company's woprkforce. Picture; MIKE ROUSE (Image: Archant)