On Monday 22nd July, Dovecote Park was honoured to welcome HRH Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales to our Stapleton plant, where he undertook an extensive tour of the entire site, from the lairage and abattoir, through the boning hall and dry-age chiller through to retail and despatch, meeting the Dovecote staff in each department and witnessing first-hand the plant operations. HRH also met six of our beef suppliers who were present at the lairage.
Following afternoon tea—a chance to show off the new restaurant - and the unveiling of a commemorative plaque to mark his visit, HRH was presented with a Duchy Organic Wing Rib joint by Dovecote’s Retail Production Director David Redman.
A lifelong public supporter of British farming and fair supply—and an owner of cattle himself—Prince Charles took a great personal interest in discussing agricultural matters with the staff and suppliers.
The Prince was in good spirits throughout the visit, and upon gratefully receiving good wishes for the impending birth of his grandson, joked, ‘Some of you may realise that with grandfatherhood comes, in four months’ time, old age pensioner-hood’. HRH also spoke positively of Pontefract, calling it a, ‘jolly good place’ and expressing gratitude for Dovecote’s support of the Pontefract Prince of Wales Hospice.
All in all, the visit from HRH The Prince of Wales marked a very important and highly successful occasion on the Dovecote Park calendar.