A LOCAL family has said it was a “great honour” to be invited to 10 Downing Street last week. Michelle Wilson, husband Ray and daughters Jenna Wilson Morris and Tessa Wilson McMurray were at one of the world’s most famous addresses for a special evening to celebrate all that’s good in Northern Ireland. They chatted to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty about their local seaweed business, Crawford’s Rock Seaweed Ltd.
Michelle explained the Kilkeel company was founded in 2018. “Historically our ancestors held kelp rights on the shore, used for agricultural purposes,” she said. “Crawford’s Rock is a landmark that sits out off Derryogue Point in Kilkeel. “At low tide you can walk around the Rock and have great views of Binnian, hence our logo depicting the Mournes, a traditional stone ditch wall and the sea.”
Michelle added that last week’s visit to Downing Street in London was for a cultural night to celebrate all that’s good in Northern Ireland and up and coming artisan companies. “The invitation was issued about a month ago. Other guests included those from theatre, the arts, actors, foster carers etc, all that’s good and positive about our communities,” she said. “It was a great honour and pleasure to be invited to Number 10, along with the other guests. “Having previously showcased at Westminster in March 2023, we knew what to expect and the buzz was great.”
She added that there were many highlights, including walking in through the famous black front door of the official residence and office of the Prime Minister, seeing Sir Winston Churchill’s chair, touching the Olympic torch and viewing the historic paintings that adorn the walls. “The Prime Minister and his wife were amazing and tasted our award-winning salts and seasoning, taking The County Down Coastal Seasoning as a gift,” Michelle said. “Mrs Sunak said this would be lovely with pizza. “She was also gifted our recent Blas na hEireann gold winner, a Seaweed Salt and Chilli Chocolate which also won a Great Taste Award this year. “Both the Prime Minister and his wife took a great interest in our story and thanked myself, my husband and the girls for coming. “The Prime Minister knew we were a sustainable company and I spoke to him about the importance of seaweed in the island of Ireland and how we have brought this old tradition back to life in a very modern company. “As a team we were excited and happy to be in Number 10 and we see this as a privilege but we also sent an email of thanks to the staff team, who on the night treated us with the upmost dignity and served the finest of wines, caviar, prawns. “We asked all those who waited on us that night to come to our table and choose a product of their liking to take home. All came and thanked us for the gesture.”
Michelle added that 10 Downing Street was an “amazing” place. “Although we never got to see the cat, the art and portraits, the portrait of the Queen and others was fabulous,” she added. “All the former Prime Ministers’ portraits are up on the walls of the staircase and the historic importance of this was very significant, as well as seeing the desk and chair that the Prime Minister wrote to Hitler from. “We were in awe at it all. “I feel it was an important milestone in my business development process to be at Number 10. “It will definitely be a good conversation point and I was proud to be there from Mourne to talk about our majestic mountains and all that makes us who we are, our Giant Spirit.”