It's #BritishLambWeek - make sure you support our local farmers and butchers by buying local

Our farmers are struggling to sell their top quality British Lamb so now is a good time to support them in British Lamb Week. Ideas for recipes were helpfully set out by local chefs in the Courant last week: http://www.hexham-courant.co.uk/news/Food-for-thought-in-British-Lamb-Week-6fb86a0a-67e2-4545-a437-4383153fe3ab-ds


Farmers are faced with
- reduced European demand due to the severe recession in Europe [traditionally we export 40% of UK sheep]
- and a high pound,
- a ban on British and other European meat by the Russian market, as a result of a sanctions war
- plus foreign imports being bought by the likes of Tesco, which further squeezes the domestic suppliers.
Lamb is as a result £20 per head cheaper this year, which is good news for the customer, but tough for farmers.
I am a supporter of our local farmers so I will be buying British lamb from a local butcher, and would urge you to do the same. When you do so you buy the best from a locally sourced and expertly looked after herd. As always with everything from Post Offices to local bookshops, butchers and even farmers ... use it or lose it! They derserve and need our support and each of us genuinely can make a difference with our purchases.
More details here of the wider campaign: http://www.nationalsheep.org.uk/news-detail.php?NewsID=330

Rural Oscars Report - success for Blagdon Farm Shop and Bardon Mill Village Shop

Two weeks ago I was pleased to attend the National Countryside Alliance Awards, also known as “the Rural Oscars”, held in Westminster. Not only was this a fantastic celebration of vital rural business but I was on hand to witness two of our home grown success stories being recognised.

Bardon Mill Village Store and Tea Room, opened only last year by Michael and Dawn Smith [pictured with me], was a finalist in the competitive “Village shop/post office” category and our very own Blagdon Farm Shop won Highly Commended in the Butcher Category.
This is not the first time Simon and his team at Blagdon Farm have been recognised for their hard work and high standards: their apprentice Daniel was recently honoured at Butchers’ Hall in London.

I believe supporting our local businesses is important as they are the backbone of Rural Life. So if you are looking to try a new Northumberland gem do take a look at My Top 10 places to go in Northumberland this summer http://guyopperman.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/my-top-10-places-to-go-in.html
and enjoy what we have to offer.

My congratulations go to Michael, Dawn, Simon, Daniel and everyone who contributed to the success of our local winners.

Congratulations to our 2 local North East Winners of Countryside Alliance awards

The village shop and post office section was won by Bardon Mill Village Store and Tea Room, which was commended for being the “heart of the community”. I have been emailing Michael, who runs the store with his wife and I am pleased to say that they are coming to Westminster with their children both for the awards and a tour of the Houses of Parliament in April.

Blagdon Farm Shop won the butcher category, winning praise for “offering a wide range of the finest meat Northumbria can offer”. Both won their awards for the service they provide to their communities; the Countryside Alliance Awards recognise firms that provide a lifeline to rural communities.
Both go on as finalists in the Alliance’s national awards, which will presented at the end of April.

Multiple awards for the Blagdon Farm shop Butchers - so buy local

Many congratulations to Daniel Lovatt and all the team at the Blagdon Farm Shop, as they win yet another award!
http://www.thejournal.co.uk/culture/food-drink-news/former-apprentice-picks-up-another-6781748
If you do not buy your meat at your local butcher you have to ask why not?
Support your local butchers, or you will lose them, however good they are. And the Blagdon Farm Shop butchers are truly exceptional. Try their sausages, in particular.