Prince Charles was joined by a host of stars and celebrity guests at a sell-out concert in aid of Britain’s stricken farmers this week. The gala evening at the Albert Hall raised £250,000 which will be added to the £4-million plus that has already been donated to Farm Aid.
Hosted by Angela Rippon and Robert Powell, the event featured virtuoso performances from the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Royal Ballet and opera singer Kim Criswell. Stealing the show was 12-year-old soprano Becky Taylor who took to a big stage for the first time.
The evening was tinged with sadness as farmers and those in the agricultural industry reminded the audience of why they were there. Berkshire pig farmer Alan Holland gave an emotional description of the slaughter of his 4,000 pigs, while veterinary inspector Peter Frost-Pennington read a poem in which he expressed anguish over the thousands of animals he was forced to condemn to death in Cumbria.
Prince Charles, whose original donation of £500,000 to six farming charities inspired Farm Aid, also met representatives of the organisations benefiting from the evening.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
