Heavy snow at Grange Farm makes national news

Our part of North Yorkshire was covered with the heaviest falls of snow over the past 20 years, yesterday Emma Murphy and her crew from ITV News battled their way to the farm to film the difficulties of livestock farming when the snow fall is unexpectedly early.

We are in the middle of lambing our flock of Dorset sheep, which touch wood is going really well with some fantastic lambs being born to the three new tups we bought back in the sunny days of May from The Dorset Sheep Fair. The only problem now is trying to get them out into the fields which have got a thick carpet of clean fluffy snow. Certainly for the rest of this week and the first part of next it looks like they are going to have to spend their time in the sheds racing round and round while being watched by their proud mothers.

The article went out on the ITN National News on Thursday evening. Below are some screen shots of Emma with Lesley, Arthur and Ewan, the Grange Farm Shepherds.

Ginger Pig wins Butcher's Shop of the Year Award, South of England Region

THE GINGER, BOROUGH MARKET IS BEST IN SOUTH OF ENGLAND

The Ginger Pig, Borough Market, has been named the best in the South of England Region after proving itself a cut above the rest in the annual Butcher's Shop of the Year Awards 2010.

The butcher impressed the judges from awards organiser Meat Trades journal and was judged on the following criteria: shop display, shop interior layout and design, cabinet displays, use of marketing and promotional material, efficiency, team working abilities, knowledge and presentation of staff, training and development of staff, back of shop organisation, hygiene, business development plans.

Meat Trades Journal Editor Ed Bedington said, "The Ginger Pig's passion and enthusiasm for their business shines through on every level. They set standards in South of England that other Butchers would do well to follow"

After accepting the award at the Sheraton Park Lane Hotel, Charlie Shaw Head Butcher and Manager said: "We are very proud of the shop and the staff as we have all worked very hard, it is an honour to win such an award."