As part of the King and Queen’s remarkable day in Brecon, Helen Dunne, from Black Mountains Preserves, along with other local Welsh artisan food producers, met the Queen at the Brecknock Agricultural Society’s annual show taster day.

Helen said she had a “lovely chat” with the Queen who was delighted to learn a little more about how Helen makes everything by hand and the challenges of launching during lockdown.

The Queen noted that Black Mountains Preserves had already been rewarded with numerous globally recognised awards, including the latest win, at the beginning of July, of a GOLD and SILVER award from the International Cheese Board Awards for her Moroccan Savoury Marmalade and Sweet Chilli Jamalade respectively.

Helen said: “The Queen expressed her preference for her savoury varieties versus sweet flavours and was delighted to receive a Black Mountains Preserves Taste of Wales gift set to enjoy at a later date.

“The Queen even said that she ‘would have an extra taste in the car!’”

Helen along with her mother, Joyce Shaw, were honoured to shake hands with Queen and said they felt really privileged to have been invited to be part of such a special occasion.

Helen would like to thank Chairman Alan Roberts and the whole team for the superbly organised and orchestrated event.

Helen, as a participate of Green Minds, of Brecon and District Mind, also chatted and shook hands with the King at the event at the Cathedral earlier in the day.