Their Royal Highnesses, The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, recently attended the Prince’s Countryside Parade at the Royal Cornwall Show, where they were joined by the representatives of the Ross-on-Wye based charity, the Marine Conservation Society.

The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) and 57 other organisations enjoyed HRH’s patronage on Thursday, June 7th.

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.

The MCS Director of Fundraising and Marketing, Mike Crossley, attended the parade on behalf of the charity. He said: “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 be part of the event along with so many other organisations which illustrated just how complex our countryside is and the importance for all us to have such knowledgeable and high profile support."

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

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