Media Release

9 December 2004; immediate use

Juliet Gellatley, the Director of Viva!, the campaigning vegetarian group, with her new feathered friend, Bert the turkey

Bert the turkey enjoys the freedom of his new home.

Bert the Turkey Wins Christmas Raffle

If you’re vegetarian, what do you do when you win a turkey at Christmas – particularly when he’s alive and kicking and you’re asked when you would like him killed?  That’s what happened to 73-year-old, retired plumber Ray Stroud and his wife Maura, from Somerton, Somerset.

They have been veggies for 30 years and were delighted when they won a mystery prize in their local church raffle. Their delight soon turned to dismay when a local farmer rang them and told them the prize was a turkey, was still running around and when would they like him slaughtered. “The last thing we wanted was for an animal to be killed for us so, without thinking, I asked the farmer if we could have the bird alive.  We then looked at our little semi and realised we had nowhere to keep him.”

Ray phoned national animal campaigns group Viva! for help and director, Juliet Gellatley, immediately offered to take Bert to her home near Chepstow, where he will have a dozen rescued battery hens for company until a mate can be found for him.

It was a sad Ray Stroud who handed Bert over to Viva! to begin his new life of freedom.  “He’s a very friendly chap and incredibly inquisitive.  He doesn’t seem to mind my dog in the least and he definitely craves company.  I’m really going to miss him!”

It seems it wasn’t just Ray and Maura who won the Somerton raffle but Bert as well. Had it not been for their compassion, this 15 lb, handsome bronze specimen would have joined the other 10 million turkeys slaughtered in the run up to Christmas. Juliet Gellatley says she is delighted to have her new friend and her two-year-old twin sons Jazz and Finn think he’s fantastic! She adds:

“Bert is settling into his new home, and has already endeared himself to the whole family. He is a total individual - a bit of a character with an enormous personality and a sense of both fun and mischief.  I’m sure, given half the chance, he’d happily flip the bird at those who’d rather see him as Christmas dinner!”

“We might not all have the room to give a home to a rescued bird”, continues Juliet, “but we can all save a turkey this festive holiday.  The best Christmas present you can give yourself - and to all animals - is to go vegetarian!”

”I hope that at this special time of year, people will spare a thought for the 28 million other Berts and Berthas who died throughout 2004, most of them crammed into filthy factory-farms for their short and painful lives. Bert is going to have the run of the countryside and become part of our family.  Now that to me is a reason for saying ‘merry Christmas’”.

For all those who want to give turkeys a break and go vegetarian this year, Juliet is offering to send anyone who wants one a free copy of Viva!’s Christmas Celebration Feast leaflet.  Written by Jenny Seagrove from the TV series Judge John Deed, it contains delicious meat-free recipes for all the family and will help to bring real peace and goodwill to the Christmas season.  Ring 0117 944 1000. Bert thinks it’s a great idea!

For further information, contact Tony Wardle/Justin Kerswell on 0117 944 1000.

Notes for Editors

Photographs of Juliet and Bert, in his new home, are available. Contact Justin Kerswell on 0117 944 1000 or email justin@viva.org.uk

More information about Viva!’s investigations and still images of turkey suffering are also available in all formats. Alternatively, see http://www.viva.org.uk/campaigns/turkeys/index.htm

Copies of the Celebration Feast leaflet and images from it can be supplied by Viva! or viewed online at http://www.viva.org.uk/christmas/index.html

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