PEWSEY farmer and priest Gerald Osborne has spoken of his delight to have met His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales during a charity visit.

Canon Osborne, who lives at Lawn Farm, Milton Lilbourne, was formally introduced to Prince Charles during his visit to Send a Cow’s head office in Bath last week to meet trustees, country directors and to see the charity’s new office extension.

Visiting in his capacity as Duke of Cornwall, Prince Charles is both president and landlord of Send a Cow – an international development charity established almost 30 years ago by Westcountry dairy farmers.

“It was an honour to be there on the day and to speak to His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales, about the incredible work Send a Cow is doing with smallholder farmers in Africa,” said Canon Osborne, who has been a trustee since 2008 and has been to Africa four times to see the charity’s work.

“He asked lots of insightful questions and seemed very knowledgeable about the charity. We are very pleased that he takes such an interest in our work.”

Send a Cow operates in seven countries in Africa and works closely with African smallholder famers and communities to secure their future. The charity provides some of the country’s poorest people with training, tools, seeds and livestock. Prince Charles has been the charity’s landlord for 27 years and its president since 2009.

He also spoke about the importance of women in farming in Africa and the need to continually empower them as well as encouraging young people to work in agriculture.

During the visit, Prince Charles took a tour of the building site and unveiled a plaque which will be installed on completion. He also viewed plans for an African garden designed by TV gardener and Send a Cow supporter, Toby Buckland.

The charity’s chief executive Simon Barnes escorted Prince Charles throughout the visit and presented him with a previously unseen photograph of the Queen as a young Princess which he and his wife, Lucy, had received as a wedding present.

Canon Osborne added: ‘‘I’m extremely passionate about the work of Send a Cow and am proud to be one of their trustees.”