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This is no Biblical Arc though no less a labour of love. Rick (Founder and MD) is a man with several heartfelt missions: Family, Staff, Customers, Great Sauces and Animals. In lockdown it’s quite a juggling act to care for all. Today we look at the rescue animals who enjoy life here at Rendlesham.
This is actually Rick with last year’s orphan. Baby Roo’s mummy died giving birth.
Rick imported special milk from Australia and nursed little Roo under his desk until he became strong enough to join the other Bennett’s Wallabies in the safety of the growing menagerie here at Rendlesham – clearly not just the home of amazing sauces.
Too young to face the cameras, another baby Roo, named Bean, is being nursed by Rick. Mum survived but sadly rejected her little one.
Bean is bonza – doing really well and enjoying ‘la bella vita’ with the other happy Bennetts.
They arrive at Rendlesham in all sorts of ways. Circumstances at home changed and this little fellah had to go to his new ‘boarding school’ – seen here being dropped off by mum and dad.
Obviously you can’t visit Stokes at the moment, it’s closed to all but essential staff operating under even stricter safety conditions than normal in food production – and we thank you all.
It is impossible not to smile as you arrive here to be heralded by a chorus of rare breed sheep, cattle and peacocks. Hens and chicks of all colour, shape and size scurry about the place.
Curious goats run to the fence so see what’s going on, free of all worries though rather confused about social distancing – who isn’t.
At the top middle of the picture you’ll see the rooves of The Old Stables where unique recipes are developed, tried and tested before being produced, bottled and despatched to discerning foodies around the world.
Here, Rick is settling a young Rhea down. The little guinea fowl in his arms adopted his large friend and has been showing her the ropes.
They took to each other as brother and sister even though ‘big sis’ just keeps getting bigger and bigger.
If I could talk to the animals, just imagine it
Chattin’ with a chimp in chimpanzee
Imagine talking to a tiger, chatting with a cheetah
What a neat achievement it would be.
If we could talk to the animals, learn all their languages
Maybe take an animal degree
I’d study elephant and eagle, buffalo and beagle
Alligator, guinea pig, and flea.
Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately) the only animals from the song represented here are a handful of giggly guinea pigs.
“There is barely room for ‘human animals’ here at times, as assorted dogs and cats take just about every seat in the house.
But, it’s how we like it.
They are happy, we as a family are safe and happy. We go to great lengths to make sure our incredible production and distribution staff are safe and I take my hat off to them for their amazing efforts under such difficult circumstances. Management, sales and administration staff are working from home, and working so hard to keep our sauces pouring, putting smiles on your faces at teatime.
Above all, I hope you and your families are keeping yourselves safe.
Eat well, stay safe, stay well.
Thank you
Rick”
[Please note, no startled sausage dogs were hurt (or ‘Diliverooed’) in the production of this Newsletter 🙂 ]