SHAMROCK FARM - 12TH MARCH 2000

It had been expected to be another huge demo - even bigger than the last one, with coaches due from as far away as Scotland. However, the shock news on Friday that Shamrock was to close for good meant that the demo was now expected to be a mass celebration. We were not disappointed.

 

 

We were confident that Shamrock would eventually close and we hoped that it would happen before the end of 2000. However, nobody had expected such a swift conclusion.

Months of persistent peaceful progress had raised the profile of Shamrock which had been in existence since the 1950s. Protesters had endured all weathers. Police officers had seemed determined to harass us at every opportunity and even our local newspaper seemed determined to treat us as violent thugs or even terrorists!
The truth of the matter is that we were a group of people from all walks of life who had something to say and we were determined to say it - peacefully!

Campaigners came from all over the country and even some from as far as South Africa! Several groups were represented but many people came along purely as individuals.
The whole campaign was expertly co-ordinated by the "Save The Shamrock Monkeys Campaign" and some of its members were at the celebration to congratulate all concerned.

Those of us who had been regulars at the demos and protests had felt sadness, anger and frustration over our politicians reluctance to act over animal welfare issues. However, this was a day to celebrate and never before outside Shamrock had so many smiling faces been seen.

Shamrock (Great Britain) Ltd.

Public Statement

March 10, 2000 - Small Dole, England

Shamrock (Great Britain) Ltd. announces that its primate facility, located in Small Dole, West Sussex, will be permanently closed, in the coming weeks. The effective date of the closure will be dictated by the professional care required to tend to the humane relocation of the animals residing in the facility.

We regret the loss of employment in Small Dole resulting from this difficult decision. Some within our small staff have been with us for more than 25 years. We are entering into generous severance arrangements with our employees, and we thank them for their dedication and perseverance. Shamrock is also deeply grateful for the gestures of support and kindness by many local citizens, and for the assistance of the local authorities over the past months.

There will be no further comments from Shamrock on this matter, and no spokesperson will be made available.

 

This may be the end of an era, but demonstrators vowed to take the protest wherever animal cruelty is alive and kicking. Around 400 revellers turned up to celebrate at Shamrock. Around the same number decided to visit the Newchurch guinea pigs instead. A sign of things to come?

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