Patrons
HERE’S WHAT OUR PATRONS WOULD LIKE YOU TO KNOW:
Jamie Oliver
The Battery Hen Welfare Trust has passionately defended the farmers, saying they’re not bad people; they’re just stuck between a rock and a hard place because farming of recent years has been so tough. And do you know what? Whether I believe that what they’re doing is right or wrong, I don’t want to rant at the farmers either, it’s more about encouraging you to buy from stock that’s been reared as naturally as possible.
From now on, when you buy your eggs, have a look at the box to check they’re free range and feel free to ask at restaurants about the type of eggs they’re using. I’m really pleased to say that things are changing. About 80% of us now buy free range or organic eggs, but 66% of eggs in this country still come from battery farms and while we’re consciously making an effort not to buy battery eggs (because we rightly feel uncomfortable about the whole thing), we need to think about all the processed foods we might buy that have eggs in them too: quiches, biscuits, cakes, mayonnaise, cheap ice cream etc. Some supermarkets have phased out battery eggs completely and if this continues we might see the 66 per cent coming down to about 30% and then disappearing completely.
Harbour & Jones
Harbour & Jones is an innovative catering company where the focus is placed squarely on fresh, seasonal, simple food. We have always believed that free-range eggs are the best option and have promoted that message throughout our business, even being presented with a “Good Egg” award from Compassion in World Farming for our restaurants at BSkyB. H&J are delighted to support the work of the BHWT by becoming a patron and will continue to press for changes in the catering industry to ensure that free-range becomes the minimum standard.
Pam Ayres
I love the ex-bat ladies I adopted from the Battery Hen Welfare Trust; they make such rewarding pets and still lay like good ‘uns. Jane and her brilliant team all do so much to help these feathered creatures, but we need to play our part by helping too: I’d ask anyone who likes hens to make sure they tell their friends and family to buy free range if they possibly can – free range is best for us, best for the hens and best for the farmer too ‘cause he gets a bit more for keeping his hens in a more natural environment.
Amanda Holden
I used to have some ex-battery hens when I was a child and remember well the sorry condition they arrived in and the pleasure it was to see them transform from sad little creatures into beautiful birds. I agreed to be Patron of the BHWT not only because I remember the hens from my childhood, but also because I, too, want to see a better life for the millions of laying hens still in cages.
Duchess of Richmond
I have taken two small groups of battery hens from the Trust and have thoroughly enjoyed watching them blossom into confident and precocious characters. For me, the BHWT does a fantastic job – they don’t confront or judge, they just encourage and promote their work through positive means. These unassuming birds burst into life once they are given the opportunity; their individual personalities are captivating and can become great time wasters! Please support this positive and well founded charity.
Antony Worrall Thompson
Thousands of hens sentenced to life without remission… no chance of seeing daylight, no chance of walking the exercise yard, these hens have been sentenced like prisoners but have committed no crime. With your help and the wonderful work of the BHWT you can make a difference and help release battery hens from their cages. Refuse battery eggs and pass the message onto the supermarkets, the schools, the hospitals and the old peoples’ homes…think about welfare, give battery hens a decent life.
