PRINCE Charles came with a message of understanding, support and a rallying call for rejuvenation when he met his Duchy tenants on Monday.

He was attending a dual function at the Two Bridges Hotel — talking with tenants and, as patron of the Taste of the West food group, there to celebrate its 10th birthday.

His Royal Highness won praise for his genuine concern and compassion for the plight of those who suffered both during and in the wake of foot and mouth.

The sun glinted through a gun-metal sky as the royal helicopter touched down in a paddock next to the hotel. Here, Prince Charles was greeted by John Pugsley, a member of the Prince's Council.

With a discrete police presence the Prince walked to the hotel entrance where he was introduced to proprietor Philip Davis and Duchy land agent Colin Sturmer.

Entering the lounge with its welcoming aroma of log fire he walked past evocative wall-hung images of Dartmoor life to meet the waiting tenants.

In his speech, Prince Charles told the invited gathering of farmers and moorland businesses he had watched 'with mounting horror' what was happening in Devon and on Dartmoor. So many people had, he said, 'gone through utter misery and complete hell'.

But he said Monday's celebration was an opportunity to 'remind people that there is a future and a light at the end of the tunnel no matter how dark and depressing it has been.'

He said there were still real problems regarding restrictions on the movement of stock.

'Things are not yet back to normal but I'm glad to have met people who are so resilient. It takes a lot to break people down here.'

His Royal Highness believed it was essential a way was found to grow our own food. The idea that we could go on importing 'for ever and ever' was not a viable option.

In parts of the country there were problems with hefted flocks — moorland stock that instinctively graze the same area. Prince Charles said there would need to be shepherds as, due to culling, it could take five years to re-establish flocks that did not wander beyond their given territories.

He said we have to remember we have 'hefted people' as well — with traditions inherited from generations and generations.

'We have to recognise how vital the family farm is in the tapestry of the countryside. You cannot have tourism without farming. They are linked together.'

Prince Charles said he hoped everyone could play their part in keeping this all-important fabric together.

'That depends on whether the young people in the next generation want to go into farming.'

He applauded the Foot and Mouth Recovery Programme which Taste of the West is undertaking to further raise the profile of produce from the South West.

'I congratulate Taste of the West on their 10th anniversary and wish them every success for what they do to encourage and develop the skills that the farming community has.'

The sumptuous buffet for the guests had been prepared by the hotel staff in what was a dazzling mosaic of mouth-watering delights. The menu included such choices as vegetarian organic quiche, cucumber and dill yoghurt salad, smoked fish, game pie and a tastebud-teasing West Country cheese-board.

The Prince celebrated the occasion with a glass of West Country-brewed Cider Brandy.

Chairman of Taste of the West Tristram Sykes said the organisation started with 35 member producer/processors ten years ago and now has almost 250. The aim was to bring financial viability and employment to rural community by helping small food and drink businesses get off the ground.

He said foot and mouth had cast a 'very dark cloud' and that was why they were launching their recovery plan for the regional food and drink industry.

'Farming, food and drink and tourism are all very related.'

He said for every £1 spent on British food the farmer received just 15p.

'Farmers have to become market-orientated and change their attitude to get a cut of the 85p between the farm-gate and the consumer.'

Mr Sykes said Taste of the West had come a long way in the last ten years but it should not become complacent.

'We are at the cutting edge of food production in the South West. Our vision for the next ten years is to work with other bodies to raise the profile of food and drink in the South West.'

He presented Prince Charles with a hamper containing an assortment of produce.

Farming neighbours Michael and Christine Malseed and Wilf and Sue Hutchings from Chagford had an informal chat with the Prince and were impressed with his grasp of the situation.

'We told him that it was the movement restrictions that were crucifying us now and he understood that. He isn't paying lip service — he has a good understanding,' said Mr Hutchings.

Mr Malseed said what His Royal Highness had said had been 'right on the nail' every time. 'He has been very aware of what is going on. He is one of the few people that do understand it. He is a rural man, he keeps in good contact with the tenants.'

The very venue itself had suffered directly as a result of foot and mouth. The Two Bridges Hotel was shut for 10 weeks.

Proprietor Philip Davies said he was 'delighted' to be open again and hosting the Prince's visit.

'The straw that broke the camel's back was when the Dartmoor National Park Authority decided not to reopen the moors even after MAFF, as it was then called, said it was perfectly okay to do so. That was unforgivable.

'It was a bad mistake and created a lot of ill-will from the very people that had suffered.'

He said the Prince had been concerned about how the business was getting back to normal. 'The recovery plan is on schedule and this event is a good platform for us.'

Farmer Graham Palmer from Sheepstor had enjoyed a good talk with His Royal Highness.

'I did feel that he is listening to what people are saying and he is concerned. He listened and that is a good start,' said Mr Palmer.

'You get a feeling that he will do what he can and help people. You cannot really ask anyone to do more than that.'

The Rev Derek Newport, of the Moorland Team Ministry, said Prince Charles was interested in how the churches had been supportive of the farming community.

'We gave emotional and spiritual support throughout the crisis. We had to close down most of our churches but we did have special services for those who wanted to pray for the farming community.'

He said signatures were placed on a list and sent to the farmers so that they felt they were not cut out.

Mr Newport felt Prince Charles' visit was very encouraging for those in the community who had suffered.

Duchy Land agent Colin Sturmer felt the royal visit had gone very well.

'The Prince has been able to hear first-hand the problems caused by foot and mouth and all the hopes and aspiration of the tenants for recovery — and if the Duchy of Cornwall can help to bring that to fruition.'

He said it had been a good opportunity for the Prince to demonstrate his concerns for the tenants in these difficult times.

He said that Taste of the West was a way of furthering the local economy.

James Langton, landlord of the Plume of Feathers in Princetown, said the Prince had rung on several occasions previously to enquire how things were progressing.

'He is a concerned landlord. He has been very concerned.

'He was wishing everybody well and hoping that the recovery that had started would continue.'

NFU regional director Anthony Gibson said he felt the royal visit showed the general concern of the Prince — 'not only for the farming community but for people in general'.

'He has a lot of influence where it matters. He knows about the day-to-day world of farming. He uses the contacts and influence that he has to tell the people in power what is going on.

'He goes out of his way to talk to his tenants. He has a very good ear and he is very good at listening.'