British thieves cook Prince Charles's goose
Thursday, December 13, 2007
AROUND 250 geese due to be sold in Britain over the Christmas period by Prince Charles's Duchy Originals food brand have been stolen from the firm's supplier, its spokesman said yesterday.
Thieves reportedly set fire to a barn which housed around 800 ducklings after breaking into the farm near Okehampton, in Devon, south-west England, on November 30.
It is now "unlikely" that Duchy Originals will be able to supply any organic geese to customers over the Christian holiday season, a spokesman for the firm said, describing it as a "heartbreaking incident".
Prince Charles has written to the owners of the farm, Rona and Nevil Amiss, expressing his sympathy following the theft, Rona Amiss said in comments quoted by British newspapers.
"I don't understand how anybody could commit such a despicable, evil act," she said. "We woke at 4am to find the barn on fire — there was very little we could do by then.
Four of the children were awake and had to watch as the creatures they helped to rear died in a horrible way."
She said she had told Prince Charles that the family could no longer face rearing geese.
"I have written to Prince Charles to tell him we can't do it any more," she added. "We received a reply from his private secretary expressing their regret and support. It was very touching."
Prince Charles set up Duchy Originals in 1992 and all of its profits go to charity.
The firm, which gives more than £one million (two million dollars) a year to good causes, aims to embody his commitment to environmental issues by producing food while helping to sustain the countryside.
The value of the birds lost in the fire and the blaze is reportedly around 30,000 pounds.
AFP
Thieves reportedly set fire to a barn which housed around 800 ducklings after breaking into the farm near Okehampton, in Devon, south-west England, on November 30.
It is now "unlikely" that Duchy Originals will be able to supply any organic geese to customers over the Christian holiday season, a spokesman for the firm said, describing it as a "heartbreaking incident".
Prince Charles has written to the owners of the farm, Rona and Nevil Amiss, expressing his sympathy following the theft, Rona Amiss said in comments quoted by British newspapers.
"I don't understand how anybody could commit such a despicable, evil act," she said. "We woke at 4am to find the barn on fire — there was very little we could do by then.
Four of the children were awake and had to watch as the creatures they helped to rear died in a horrible way."
She said she had told Prince Charles that the family could no longer face rearing geese.
"I have written to Prince Charles to tell him we can't do it any more," she added. "We received a reply from his private secretary expressing their regret and support. It was very touching."
Prince Charles set up Duchy Originals in 1992 and all of its profits go to charity.
The firm, which gives more than £one million (two million dollars) a year to good causes, aims to embody his commitment to environmental issues by producing food while helping to sustain the countryside.
The value of the birds lost in the fire and the blaze is reportedly around 30,000 pounds.
AFP
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