Ross-on-Wye marine charity takes part in Prince of Wales' Countryside Parade

Date posted: 13 June 2018

Marine Conservation Society attends the Royal Cornwall Show to help celebrate its President’s lifelong contribution to rural life

Their Royal Highnesses, The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, have attended the Prince’s Countryside Parade at the Royal Cornwall Show and were joined by the Ross-on-Wye based charity, Marine Conservation Society, and 57 other organisations who also enjoy HRH’s patronage.

MCS staff were among 450 volunteers (and 40 animals), split in to six sections representing all parts of rural life, from water, to livestock, to food and farming. The Parade was held to a soundtrack of the Band of the Royal Marines and the Cornish male voice choirs and narrated by Phil Vickery MBE and JB Gill.

MCS Director of Fundraising and Marketing, Mike Crossley, attended the parade on behalf of the charity: “HRH the Prince of Wales was instrumental in setting up the Marine Conservation Society in 1983 and we massively value his support for, and his knowledge of, marine issues. His Royal Highness totally understands the huge problem that is facing our oceans through plastic pollution. Earlier this year he told environmentalists and business leaders of his ‘deep frustration’ at the world ignoring plastic waste in the ocean, but that he was also encouraged that the legacy of plastic in the environment is now very much on the global agenda and in the public consciousness.”

“We were delighted to part of the event along with so many other organisations which illustrated just how complex our countryside is and the importance it is for all us that we have such knowledgeable and high profile support.”

The Parade culminated in Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall being presented with an oak tree and a two month old Boreray lamb named Bryher from ex-England rugby union captain Phil Vickery.

The Boreray sheep, also known as the Boreray Blackface or Hebridean Blackface, is the smallest and rarest of all the UK’s native sheep breeds. Though still the most endangered, since HRH became the Patron of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust in 1978 the Boreray has changed from being a category one critical breed, to being a category three Vulnerable breed.

Following the Parade, Their Royal Highnesses attended an afternoon tea to meet with many of the volunteers, supporters, and parade participants.

His Royal Highness also thanked the generous sponsors of the afternoon including Jaguar Land Rover, Rodda’s, Ginsters, Dairy Crest, South West Water, and the Eden Project. The event was also supported by volunteers from Pendennis, Duchy College and the local rotary club. It was delivered by HPower in partnership with The Prince’s Countryside Fund and Royal Cornwall Agricultural Association.

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Editors notes

The Marine Conservation Society’s beach clean and sustainable seafood work is supported by players of the People’s Postcode Lottery

• People’s Postcode Lottery manages multiple charity lotteries (also known as society lotteries). Players play with their postcodes to win cash prizes, while raising money for charities and good causes across Great Britain and globally
• A minimum of 32% goes directly to charities and players have raised over £310 million to date for good causes across the country £10 for 10 draws paid monthly in advance with prizes every day. For further prize information click here
• Maximum amount a single ticket can win is 10% of the draw revenue to a maximum of £400,000
• Players can sign up by Direct Debit online at www.postcodelottery.co.uk, or by calling 0808 10-9-8-7-6-5
• Postcode Lottery Limited is regulated by the Gambling Commission under licences number: 000-000829-N-102511-014 and Number: 000-000829-R-102513-013. Registered office: Titchfield House, 69/85 Tabernacle Street, London, EC2A 4RR
• For details on which society lottery is running each week, visit www.postcodelottery.co.uk/society

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