Duke drops in on bustard project (From Salisbury Journal)

Duke drops in on bustard project

8:31am Sunday 16th April 2006 in Rural Focus By Roland Batten

THE Duke of Gloucester will have plenty to remind him of his recent visit to south Wiltshire, when he saw the great bustard group's project to reintroduce the huge bird back to Salisbury Plain. For he took away with him several gifts, all linked with the project and all made in the Salisbury area.

One was a beautiful, mounted, silver great bustard (pictured right), made by Carters, the jewellers in Minster Street, Salisbury, and presented to him by Brian Johnson.

The royal visitor was also given a selection of beers, including a great bustard beer, by Anna Marie Anderson, of Stonehenge Ales, and a bustard and mustard cheese, made by Loosehanger Cheeses, of Redlynch presented by Gwyn Williams.

The bustard theme continued throughout the brief visit. The duke met Fleur de Rhe-Philipe, of Wiltshire county council, who pointed out that the county badge bears a bustard, Major John Wright, a project volunteer, and Bruce and Lucy Waight, who farm the land on which the project is based.

He also saw a special puppet, used to feed young bustard chicks from behind a screen.