Quiggin's facts for kids
Quiggin's is a famous company that makes sweets. It is the oldest company still making Kendal Mint Cake. Only three companies make this special sweet, and Quiggin's is one of them! The other two are Romney's and Wilson's.
A Sweet History
The "Quiggin's Confectionery Company" started in 1840. It was founded by William Quiggin on the Isle of Man. They sold tasty treats like coconut ice and bullseyes.
In 1847, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert visited Ramsey. William Quiggin greeted them. His daughter gave Prince Albert a stick of rock. It had "Welcome Prince Albert to Mona" written in it. It also showed the Manx triskelion symbol. Some people think this was the very first rock sweet with letters inside!
Moving to Kendal
In 1872, William's son, Daniel, moved to Kendal. He started his own sweet company there. This company is what we know as Quiggin's today. They soon began making Kendal Mint Cake. Even though another company, Wiper's, invented it in 1869, Quiggin's became famous for it.
Mint Cake Adventures
Quiggin's made history in 1975. They were the first to cover their mint cake in chocolate! That same year, a famous climber, Sir Chris Bonington, took Quiggin's Kendal Mint Cake with him. He ate it on his climb up Mount Everest, the world's highest mountain.
Quiggin's Kendal Mint Cake also went on another amazing journey. In 1990, it joined the first successful Trans-Antarctic Expedition. This was a trip across Antarctica without using machines.
