News

Seeds of Change - Foraging update

As the year continues into Autumn with shorter days and crisp mornings, oragers are busier than ever! On my travels in the last week or so I've been gathering nuts and berries and the odd mushroom, although -I hardly dare write this after such a wash-out Summer- a little overnight rain would do wonders for fungi opportunities! It's a tough trick to manage the abundance of an Autumn harvest and still have the time and energy to process it, which reminds me of the golden rule of sustainable foraging is to never pick more than you can use. Fortunately elderberries, blackberries, and sloes all freeze beautifully, either au naturel or cooked and pulped.

British Food Fortnight!

 

 

It’s British Food Fortnight..! The next two weeks sees the biggest ever national celebration of Britain’s diverse and delicious food.

“British Food Fortnight is the perfect excuse to leave those air miles behind and celebrate our finest produce.”
The Daily Telegraph

Local Food Hero Awards – The Fine Beef Company

 

 

The Fine Beef Company has been chosen out of over 4000 outlets to be in the finals for UKTVfoods local food hero 2007.

The Local Hero awards are a tribute to Britain's independent shops, farm stalls, artisan producers, cafes, pubs, and small businesses. 

Most of their herd is made up of Old English Rare Breeds, this; coupled with the wonderful way with which they rear the animals, makes for a very exciting product.
Don’t forget to watch for us on UKTVfood in November!

Foot-and-mouth control zone lifted

 

 

Livestock farmers in the West Midlands are breathing a sigh of relief after a farm was declared clear of foot-and-mouth disease. A 3km (1.8-mile) temporary control zone had been imposed around Woodhouse Farm, near Solihull, while tests for the disease were carried out on animals from the site. But on Thursday night Defra confirmed that laboratory results showed no sign of foot-and-mouth, and the control zone was lifted.

Foot-and-mouth affects horse show

 

 

Animals at three farms in Surrey have tested positive for the disease
A touring equestrian show with more than 30 horses has changed its Surrey venue in response to the latest outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.
Equestrian Theatre was due to hold an event called Spirit of the Horse at Loseley Park, near Godalming, which is now inside a disease control zone.

Ascot put on foot-and-mouth alert

 

 

Next week's prestigious Festival under threat · Case confirmed a few miles from the course Greg Wood

Foot-and-mouth begins to bite events ...!

 

 

Foot and mouth, has now began to effect shows and events in various counties across the South East Region. The main ones are Surrey and Kent. Berkshire is beginning to be effected now also. As the spread continue to effect farming life it has now started to temporarily tourism to the area.
The following shows, which have been cancelled, are listed below, anyone traveling to theses regions expecting to go to shows are advised to check before you go.
Many events have been rescheduled but certain events have not, as yet.....

Our Downs deserve better

 

 

Celebrated author and president of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, CPRE, Bill Bryson has backed protests against cutting almost a quarter of the proposed South Downs National Park.
Emma Marrington, the rural policy campaigner for the CPRE, argues that the South Downs National Park should not be chopped in two.

Short section of Thames Path closed in Surrey because of Foot and Mouth recurrence

A short section of the Thames Path in Surrey has been closed as a result of the outbreak of foot and mouth disease on 12 September. This is the 800m section from Chertsey Bridge (grid reference TQ 054666 on OS Landranger map 176) to Dumspey Meadow (grid reference TQ059668). The alternative route here is to walk east along the B375 and to rejoin the Thames Path via a short footpath that leaves the road about 130m after the first roundabout. (NB if instructions on the ground differ to this, please follow them).

Royal County of Berkshire Show

 

 

Livestock section cancelled but show goes on at Royal County of Berkshire Show

Regrettably there will not be livestock at the Royal County of Berkshire Show in 2007.

Royal County of Berkshire Show have made the decision not to have the livestock at the last practicable moment after taking into account the advice available from DEFRA at the time and the views of local exhibitors, many of whom we understood had turned their livestock out for the rest of the show season.

However the show goes on and although an important part of the show, livestock is one element of a packed programme for the 65,000 visitors expected at the show. Other elements include equine classes and regular displays as well as over 600 shops and this year's focus is on gardens and gardening.

Bill Bryson attacks changes in South Downs National Park boundary

 

 

A Government planning inspector's recommendation to limit the size of a proposed new national park was described as "shocking" by Bill Bryson, the American author and astute satirist of the British way of life.

TV's Coast presenter to highlight tourism in Kent

 

 

BBC presenter Nicholas Crane will speak at a major conference about the tourism industry in the South East being held in Canterbury next week.

Countdown to Bestival 2007

 

 

Back for its fourth year, the summer's 'other' big festival on the Isle of Wight sees Primal Scream, The Chemical Brothers and the Beastie Boys as the three main headline acts - and it's completely sold out.

'Wretched little Brits'

 

 

Archaeologist, broadcaster and writer Julian Richards is bringing Hadrian's Wall to the Marlow Archaeological Society - from the Romans to the 'wretched Brits'.