This last weekend has seen Guernseys gaining prominence on both BBC Radio and Television, firstly on the longest running program “the Archers” on Radio 4, listened to by millions of devoted fans plans were announced to expand the Guernsey herd at Grange Farm by an extra 20 cows so doubling production for the local milk rounds and the “award winning cheese” produced from the milk. The storyline over the past three years has been loosely based on the model established by Jason and Katherine Salisbury, but I am pleased to say that in real life there have been none of the “goings on ” that beset the Grundy family in Ambridge!
Given that for a lot of consumers the “Archers” is the closest link to the countryside that they have any positive mention of Guernsey cows and milk products is to be welcomed.
Meanwhile on Countryfile on BBC 1 television on Sunday the Isle of Wight Cheese Company set up in the last few years in the farmyard of Queen Bower Dairy Farm was featured and in particular the Isle of Wight Blue that had been named as “Best English Cheese” in the 2007 World Cheese Awards, this is made from unpasteurised Guernsey milk from Mike Reed’s herd by Richard Hodgson and once again Guernsey numbers are increasing as demand for the cheeses grows. Click here to read what was said by Countryfile and the Independent.
With Tiresford winning two Golds and a Brionze medal at the International Nantwich Cheese show last week for their yoghurts and about to launch a new packaging concept in which their yoghurts are to be paired with locally produced fruit, honey and cereals this is another Guernsey business looking to expand by adding value to their Guernsey milk. Click here to see what was Guernsey A2 milk site has to say
Fenella Madison from Guernsey Island in her first year as a Cheesemaker took a Silver Medal with her “Fort Grey” blue cheese made in Torteval and Fenella has been contributing regular articles about the trials and tribulations of becoming a Cheese maker on Guernsey Island to the Guernsey A2 milk site and having recently visited her she deserves her award for having the vision and drive to develop new products on Guernsey. Click here to be taken to the first part of the Cheese makers tale- the introduction.