Glamping stock image(Image: LDR Service)As the sunny weather arrives and people start thinking about ways to spend their days in the sunshine
thoughts may be turning to staycations and nearby campsites and holiday parks
being so close to the countryside - and not too far away from a beach or two - there are plenty of picturesque places and beauty spots we can set up camp and enjoy some sun
We've compiled a little list of holiday parks and campsites that are an hour or so (or less) away from Bristol
as well as a bit of luxury (hot tubs and yoga anyone?)
Inside one of the safari tents at The Camp at The Wave(Image: The Wave)Address: Washingpool Farm
or fancy trying something a bit different but don't want to venture down to the beach to do so - then you may be interested to know that The Wave in Bristol boasts its own campsite
Bristol's inland surf centre has a site with glamping style tents kitted out with comfortable beds
private toilet and a large balcony - and they're suitable for families
Located in the heart of some beautiful countryside
just a short walk away you will find the rolling waves of the surf centre
home to a surf shop and cafe-bar which serves an array of food and drink
There's even a roof terrace to take in some summer views across the landscape
You can book surf lessons as well as a break away from the hustle and bustle. Find out more here
Avon Valley Adventure and Wildlife Park(Image: Paul Gillis / Paulgillisphoto.co)Address: Avon Valley Adventure Park, Pixash Lane, Bath Road
If you're looking for family adventure without journeying too far - and want more than a day out - then you can book a camping or glamping holiday at Avon Valley Adventure Park this summer
all stays include free entry to the Adventure Park from arrival to departure
You'll camp within the grounds of what is dubbed 'one of the West Country's best family fun days out'
the campsite boasts extensive glamping options at 'Base Camp'
home to pre-pitched 'Explorer Tents' and Nordic Bell Tents with wood fired hot tubs
There are also motorhome and campervan pitches
you can also book an Adventure Pod with a private hot tub
the 'On the Deck' bar is open to campers in the evening as soon as the daytime park guests have left the site
including locally sourced beer - and you're welcome to take anything back to your tent to enjoy
Find out more and book here
Dating back to the 1730s and located in the historic hamlet of Cowslip Green
Brook Lodge can be found just off the A38 and boasts easy access to Bristol
There's a babbling stream which winds its way along five acres of grass park
and trout fishing at the world famous Blagdon Lake - just two miles away
and a separate paddock and bell tents to hire
There are washing facilities, fire pit rental and firewood, a small shop, and children's play area too. Find out more and book here
Located on the outskirts of the village of Banwell, near Weston-super-Mare, Myrtle Farm's campsite boasts panoramic views on 3.5 acres of land for caravans
On site you'll find a purpose built shower
toilet and kitchen block with underfloor heating
and even a secure dog exercising area for your four legged friends
Firepits and barbeques are allowed on one of the designated camping areas
There's even a holiday barn you can hire, with its own parking, private garden and BBQ. Find out more here
The road through Cheddar Gorge (Image: Ryan Searle)Bucklegrove Holiday ParkAddress: Wells Road
Nestled in the heart of Somerset, at the foot of the Mendip Hills, Bucklegrove boasts landscape views out across the Cheddar Valley - and you can even see as far as Glastonbury Tor
There is a range of accommodation types to choose from - lodges with hot tubs
the holiday park's facilities include a heated indoor swimming pool
And you're close to attractions including Wookey Hole
Further afield you'll find Weston-super-Mare
Find out more here
Location of Owley Woods glamping site near Cheddar(Image: Google Maps)Address: Owley
Surrounded by wildlife and perfect for some peace and quiet
Owley guests stay in 'not just tents' but Owley Belles
fully equipped with everything you need for your stay - and plenty of character
The site is also surrounded by spectacular walks
Cheddar Village (and its tea rooms) are just a 15 minute walk or five minute drive away
Find out more here
Mendip Base camp has been voted as one of the best campsites in the south west(Image: Mendip Activity Centre and Mendip Basecamp)Address: Mendip Activity Centre
An award-winning off-the-grid family adventure campsite in North Somerset, Basecamp is surrounded by ancient woodland and is perfect for 'families
You can pitch where you like and bring your well behaved dogs
The team also says that fire pits are encouraged and connecting with nature is a priority
and the activity centre itself has more than 20 activities to take part in - from target and rock sports
you can choose to bring your own tent or campervan
or stay in a safari tent or Nomadic bell tent
Find out more here
Described as a "magical handcrafted eco-village nestled on the side of a wild wooded valley near Bath, and founded on green woodworking and sustainable woodland management", Campwell Woods is home to log cabins
a cob roundhouse and a shepherd's hut with wood burning stoves and firepits
There's a wood-fired sauna for up to 10 people
a unique off-grid and eco-friendly facility treehouse with compost loos
family and friends - and dogs are welcome too
There's also another village which sits in the heart of a fifth-generation working farm in Wiltshire - the site where it all began
Find out more and book here.
Which brand makes the cheesiest cheddar alternative
Meera Sodha samples popular plant-based blocks
• ‘Hands down my favourite bit of kit’: 13 kitchen gadgets top chefs can’t live without
but I didn’t feel particularly well afterwards’: the best (and worst) vegan cheese
testedThis article is more than 1 month oldWhich brand makes the cheesiest cheddar alternative
‘Hands down my favourite bit of kit’: 13 kitchen gadgets top chefs can’t live without
When I was asked to review plant-based cheeses
that make non-dairy cheese out of fermented nuts or soya beans
more often than not it’s manufactured by big companies who are adept at recreating flavours
but who use ultra-processed ingredients such as emulsifiers
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I’ve used vegan cheese only a handful of times in the eight years I’ve been writing my vegan column for the Guardian
partly because I like to know what’s going into my body (and
and also because it varies so wildly in terms of how it behaves: does it melt
that makes it tricky to use and make sure there’s consistency in the journey between my kitchen and yours
So here is my chance to dig a little deeper
looking for anything on the spectrum between buttery
because so much about eating cheese is about mouthfeel and that satisfying
credentials: my vote will always be in favour of products made with natural ingredients
I believe that’s where the best food comes from
View image in fullscreen£4.50 for 100g at Waitrose
and with the same instant gratification as dairy cheese – and I know because I can’t stop nibbling it
cheesy flavour akin to a medium mature cheddar and it comes in a pleasing wedge that can be cut or spread
Melts well into a creamy texture in the mouth
Faint powderiness that I can forgive because it hits the flavour and mouthfeel on the nail
A solid block that could be used any which way
It almost melts in the fingers and then does so in the mouth
then gives way to a flavour that’s more “pungent miso” than cheddar
the mouthfeel is spot on and it has the purest ingredients list of all these “cheeses”
would be best between two slices or melted through pasta
View image in fullscreen£6.99 for 120g at I Am Nut OK
and hard to extract from the packaging without smooshing it
Has the fewest ingredients and could be an option for those looking for purity and good flavour
gently tangy and impressively cheesy at first
perhaps the flavour is too mild because it gives way to a faint but detectable starchy finish
It comes in a block and cuts better than it crumbles
but is comprised of lots of processed ingredients
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View image in fullscreen£2.80 for 180g at Ocado
Looks more like those yellow-tile backing boards you find in your local B&Q than real food
Tastes somewhere between cold unsalted butter and the mild
sweet wrapped sliced cheese that I ate (and enjoyed) in the 1980s
The mouthfeel starts at polypropylene and transforms to cream
but I didn’t feel particularly well afterwards
View image in fullscreen£2.60 for 200g at Tesco
Tastes like ground powdered rice held together by fat
it turns out I’m wrong about the rice – it is actually four different types of starch held together by water
smooth and solid texture that not every plant-based cheddar can boast
View image in fullscreen£1.75 for 120g at Sainsbury’s
buttery and plasticky love child of a Baby Bel and a Laughing Cow triangle
seeing as it’s produced by the same company that makes both those cheeses
Tastes of nothing until masticated vigorously
The texture is a touch rubbery and a touch powdery
and the flavour eventually makes an entrance as a not-unpleasant salty smokiness
but not in any discernible cheese- or cheddar-like way
plus it disintegrates into a disgusting powder in my mouth
ShareSaveCommentBusinessSportsMoneyStadium Cheddar: How Sports Embraces Cheese SponsorshipsByTim Newcomb
Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights
stadiums and sneaker tech.Follow AuthorMay 02
10:17am EDTShareSaveCommentTillamook sponsors the Portland Timbers with the brand across the jersey front and a baby loaf LED ..
More sign in Providence Park (seen in the background to the left)
Tillamook made a melty splash last year becoming the kit sponsor for the Portland Timbers
Cabot has a new creamy deal with the Boston Red Sox that posts a grilled cheese stand at Fenway Park
embracing three major Wisconsin professional teams
It’s all part of cheese’s momentum in the world of sports and stadiums
“The live sports experience has evolved significantly in recent years
with improvements to the culinary offering representing one of the biggest evolutions across the board,” Harry Poole
senior vice president of brand marketing at Excel Sports Management
“By creating the right culinary environment in-stadium
teams will have more commercial opportunity within that space
while also fostering a stronger environment for fans to enjoy their time.”
Poole says the brands with the best opportunity to connect to fans are the one that enhance the experience
“Big cheese has certainly found their niche across sports,” he says
“The common thread between all those deals is their efforts to improve the culinary experience
compared to more traditional stadium food.”
Sports food is growing in momentum, from partnerships with local restaurants to the rise of wine to the power of cheddar (and mozzarella
Tillamook now sponsors the Portland Timbers kit and with products throughout Providence Park
First came the baby loaf on display inside Portland’s Providence Park
an oversized replica of Tillamook Creamery’s block of cheddar sold across the country
That sponsorship began in 2014 and expanded into branded concessions
taking a major leap in 2024 when Tillamook
“When the Timbers began looking for a new jersey sponsor
our consumer relations and social media teams received dozens upon dozens of comments from fans suggesting—in some cases demanding—that Tillamook become the new sponsor
which led to us having a serious conversation with the Timbers,” Kate Boltin
senior vice president of brand and marketing for Tillamook
“As two organizations with roots in the Pacific Northwest
we view our partnership as another way to share our pride with the local fans and the community we all share in
this investment is proving to help us gain exposure for the Tillamook brand across the country with food lovers looking for high quality dairy.”
The largest sponsorship Tillamook, which recently won the title of “Best Cheddar in the World,” has signed to date is meant to deepen relationships with fans in Oregon but give the brand exposure nationwide
offer co-branded gear—one scarf features a grilled cheese sandwich with a massive melted cheese pull—and embrace concession stand offerings with everything from ice cream sandwiches to a special Tillamook Mac & Cheese in the Tillamook Melt stand
Through all the growth
that baby loaf still has a place in Providence Park
now an LED sign that “ages” as the Timbers score goals
moving from medium cheddar to sharp to extra sharp
and even ice cream if the game gets really goal-heavy
Cabot's presence at Fenway Park puts the Vermont dairy front and center for Boston fans in 2025
Venture down Jersey Street at Fenway Park and you’ll stroll right up to the Cabot Creamery concession stand featuring a lineup of grilled cheese sandwiches featuring the Vermont creamery’s sharp cheddar
which includes enhancements such as tomato
has been a “grand slam opportunity.” So far
the Pimento Grilled Cheese has been “hitting it out of the park.”
The new grilled cheese stand from Cabot at Fenway Park has proven a hit in 2025
additional Cabot Creamery signage appears inside the ballpark and the brand’s Seriously Sharp mascot will make appearances throughout the season
“Baseball stadiums like Fenway have been a gathering place for generations of fans,” Gile says
“Cheese is often at the center of gatherings since it complements and enhances so many dishes
you want something that’s really delicious and convenient
Cheese is the ultimate comfort food making it a home run addition to the stadium experience.”
Sargento supports three Wisconsin professional sports teams with cheese-filled sponsorships
More including a recent Swissconsin Night in Milwaukee for the Bucks
With all the growing cheese-in-sports elements from the West Coast to the East Coast
the concept was really born in Wisconsin—no surprise for cheese fans—when Sargento became the official cheese of the Green Bay Packers in 2003
Sargento kicked off the sponsorship with a philanthropic component
donating to hunger relief in the state—Sargento has now donated $1.9 million as part of the program with the Packers—so as Sargento became the official cheese of the Milwaukee Brewers in 2013 and the the Milwaukee Bucks in 2018
each partnership featured another philanthropic element
The Wisconsin-based cheese brand shows up differently in each venue
with the Brewers dugout prominently featuring the Sargento logo and for every double that’s hit the brand’s special “Double Helping for Hunger” graphic appears on the big screen
the announcer highlights the brand’s “Touchdowns for Hunger” program
it triggers an LED ribbon display highlighting “Tip-off for Homes.”
such as fans receiving “Chantlers”—cheese antlers—at a Bucks game on a national cheese day and a Swissconsin Night on National Swiss Cheese Day that featured a cheese curd chili dog on the menu
Sargento serves a fried cheese curd not available at retail
Brewers fans can also grab a Sargento Gouda burger or specialty macaroni and cheese
“As midwestern sports fans and Wisconsinites
we know that cheese makes meals and snacks more exciting—from handheld sandwiches and hot dogs to spicy nachos and tailgating—cheese pulls it all together,” a Sargento spokesperson tells me
As more Americans eat cheese—the average American eats 42 pounds of cheese annually
according to the International Dairy Foods Association—Wisconsin plays a key role in that growth
is alone responsible for 14% of all cheese distributed in the country
“It is no surprise,” the spokesperson says
“that cheese is such a star when it comes to dining and that includes the stadium experience.”
The Cooper cheese sponsorship shows up in menu items and signage for the Philadelphia Union
Philadelphia-based Cooper cheese made its connection to the city official in 2025 by becoming the official cheese of the Philadelphia Union of the MLS
Subaru Park and WSFS Bank Sportsplex (along with sponsoring Eagles’ cornerback Cooper DeJean)
And it means Cooper is featured throughout Subaru Park
from the cheesesteaks to the smash burgers to the macaroni and cheese
Along with LED signage throughout the stadium and at the Union Yards Grill
a large tailgate and beer garden space across from Subaru Park
Cooper cheese is readily available across the site
The brand’s sharp white American cheese is the key product throughout the venue but expect to see products aplenty
“This partnership is important to the Cooper cheese brand because we both share a passion to celebrating our ties to the Philadelphia market,” Michelle Spoerl
“We are excited that our fans will be able to create lasting memories as they dine
The Buffalo Bills have had an official cheese since 2022
a hometown cheese brand manufactured in Buffalo by Lactlis American Group
The plant on Buffalo’s South Park Avenue produces ricotta
so pizzas inside Highmark Stadium are made with Galbani mozzarella
The brand’s cheese has been integrated into the entire stadium concession menu
including meatball subs and meat and cheese boards
home of both the NFL’s Seahawks and the Sounders of the MLS
serves Beecher’s Handmade Cheese in the form of the Seattle brand’s “World’s Best Mac & Cheese,” according to a spokesperson for the cheesemaker
Expect to see more Beecher’s products appear in minor league baseball venues in Portland and Seattle
Continued localization of stadium culinary programs across the country give brands an opportunity
“More stadiums are offering a more elevated
premium culinary experience to fans that demand better quality on gameday,” Poole says
“An improved culinary experience helps keep fans engaged and often serves as a user-generated content machine on social.” That means fans can embrace the local melty cheese goodness across the nation’s sports stadiums
Sustainable building solutions provider Holcim UK has installed a new solar array on the roof of one of its largest sites in an effort to decarbonise its operations
A total of 464 solar panels have been installed on the roof of Holcim UK’s Callow plant
located near Cheddar in the south west of England
The development was managed by Rengerco and installed by Aniron
and is capable of generating over 167,000kWh of power per year
which will meet approximately eight per cent of the site’s annual power needs
Solar Power Portal reached out to ask for the total installed capacity
but had not received a response as of the publication of this story
The company has set a target of achieving net zero emissions by 2050
This latest rooftop installation follows previous solar installations at Holcim UK’s Huland Ward and Bardon Hill sites in the past year
said that the company has several other decarbonisation schemes planned for 2025
adding: “Renewable energy is one of the key components of our net-zero strategy
lowering carbon emissions and making our sites more self-sufficient.”
Holcim UK’s solar efforts follow a broader industry trend that has seen a number of major manufacturing
and industrial firms install rooftop solar arrays
Last month, AMPYR Distributed Energy announced the successful completion of a 224kW rooftop solar array for the Lancashire headquarters of exotic mushrooms producer Smithy Mushrooms
something which Smithy Mushrooms director John Dorian called “an absolute game changer”
The project was funded through a bespoke power purchase agreement (PPA) with Shawton Energy. The Bannatyne Group made no upfront investment in the installations, which were instead funded by Shawton Energy, and will purchase the energy from the installations at a fixed, low-cost price.
Britain’s love for its favourite cheese, Cheddar, is undergoing a major transformation thanks to the changing British palate.
For centuries the most popular strength for Cheddar across the UK was mild and medium but latest sales data can reveal that the fastest growing varieties are now the most powerful extra mature and vintage types.
In order to meet the growing demand Tesco has increased the pack sizes of its own label top strength cheeses while ordering more to be ready once they have matured for the requisite 18 plus months.
Cheese experts say the change is all down to our love of spicier food which now dominate British cuisine and which have hardened our palates.
Latest 52 week volume sales data across all retailers from independent analysts Kantar (25 Jan 2025) shows:
At Tesco demand for extra mature and vintage Cheddar have increased by nearly 25 per cent in the last year.
Tesco UK cheese buyer Darren Atherton said:
“The gradual move towards stronger tasting Cheddar varieties has come about because of our love of spicy food.
“With curries, Asian and Mexican food now a regular part of the UK diet our palates are acclimatising to these stronger and more exotic flavours so that we tend to go for more complex taste profiles.
“This has been especially recognised in the Cheddar industry where producers are widening the strength profiles of their cheeses to include varieties that pack more of a punchier taste.
“And they are achieving this by selecting different starter culture at the start of the cheese making process which then produce different flavour profiles over longer periods of maturation.”
As a result of the trend more Cheddar producers are now making stronger tasting varieties.
Artisan independent cheesemakers, Ford Farm, who specialise in Cheddar and make the famous cave aged Wookey Hole and Coastal Bite varieties are also seeing the rising demand for stronger and punchier varieties.
The company, based outside Dorchester, in Dorset, gives the example of its Coastal Cheddar which it launched in 2000. Sales slowly grew through word of mouth until it was picked up by Tesco in 2006 who put it for sale in its stores across the UK.
In the last 15 years the company has seen demand rocket by 460 per cent with production growing from 1300 tonnes a year in 2010 to the present 6000 tonnes.
Ford Farm’s head cheesemaker Martin Crabb said:
“Demand for vintage Cheddar is going through the roof right now and is almost certainly at an all-time high.
“We created our Coastal Cheddar to appeal to the consumer demand for a rich, rugged Cheddar and we age it for up to 15 months which gives it an intense flavour while the culture used also adds a contrasting subtly sweet top note.
“The variety has won gold medals at the British Cheese Awards and International Cheese Awards and we’ve been told that it has become the biggest selling branded Cheddar in America.”
Tesco hard cheese technical manager Eleanor Wood added: “A big signifier for high quality within vintage cheddar is the visual formation of calcium lactate crystals that forms on the inside and outside of the cheese.
“It adds so much depth of flavour and texture to the cheese, providing you with a slightly salty note but also a beautiful crunch.
“When eating the cheese you'll be hit by the complex flavours - slight sweetness first following the more intense sharpness and acidic notes, leaving you salivating and wanting more.”
An excited group of junior runners gathered at the Kings fitness and leisure on Sunday the 13th at 9:00 for the 318th Cheddar junior parkrun.
Rachel gave the run briefing and welcomed the four first timers who joined us this week and thanked one of our volunteers for choosing park run to complete their volunteering section for DofE.
Overall, we had 17 volunteering and 30 running.
A substantial field of runners ran, jogged and walked the two laps of the field, cheered on by the marshals.
The conditions were slightly damp underfoot and it was great weather for running.
Euan finished as first male and ran alongside a fast adult which helped him to gain a new PB! Ashleigh finished as first female who also achieved a PB along with six more juniors! All of the super runners should be proud of completing their 2km run this week and getting up early on a Sunday morning!
I enjoyed volunteering at Cheddar parkrun because it’s such a happy and supportive place and will miss the friendly and welcoming atmosphere at Cheddar junior parkrun.
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Protesters marched to New Scotland Yard to call for Justice for Heklina
the drag artist who was found dead at a flat in Soho on 3 April 2023
On 31 March over a hundred people marched from Big Ben down the road to New Scotland Yard to call for Justice for Heklina
had been performing in a show at Soho Theatre during that time
The march was in protest at the Metropolitan Police’s handling of Heklina’s case and homophobic bias in the force
the Met had apologised for its failings in the investigation into Heklina’s death
The march was organised by friends of Heklina including drag artists and members of the LGBT+ community and was supported by Equity
Speakers at the protest included drag artists Peaches Christ
Speaking alongside them was Equity General Secretary Paul W Fleming
singer and Scissor Sisters member Ana Matronic
the LGBT+ and human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell
and London Assembly Member for the Green Party Zoe Garbett
Heklina’s friends report that the investigation has been marred by constant delays
a lack of communication and multiple changes of personnel
the investigation remains open and it took until January this year for police to release CCTV footage of three men they want to speak to in connection to the case
Equity General Secretary Paul W Fleming wrote to the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan
calling on him to “raise as a matter of urgency the investigation into Heklina’s death in your meetings with senior officers in the Met
and ask what is being done to remedy the litany of failings in this investigation.”
this investigation came at a time when Baroness Casey’s landmark report into the Metropolitan Policy found the force to be institutionally homophobic,” writes Paul W Fleming in the letter
“It is hard not to conclude that such homophobia has affected the Met’s investigation in this case… More broadly
Equity’s drag and variety members are facing increasingly inhospitable working conditions in London
largely due to the rapid decline of small venues
rising homophobic and transphobic violence and low levels of trust in the Met.”
“Heklina was one of my oldest and closest friends
We were family and finding her dead in London was truly traumatising
but it has only been made worse by the complete lack of attention from the London Met Police
myself and Heklina's next of kin have been ignored
Only when I went to the media was there a response
Queer people deserve to be treated fairly and equally and we demand change.”
“The continued insensitive and incompetent handling of Heklina's death by the Metropolitan Police is a stark reminder of the way assumptions
continue to cloud police inquiry in the UK
how we identify or details of our personal lives
should never be allowed to determine the quality of protection provided by the police
holds inherent value; loss warrants equal care
To suggest otherwise is not just misconduct
but a dangerous failure that places multiple communities at risk.”
“Heklina was one of the first people to give me an international booking
I'm horrified to learn from Peaches about the huge failures of the Met Police in the investigation and communication surrounding her death
I’m unfortunately no stranger to the justice system
and marginalised communities know first-hand the bias that can be found within the police force – we demand answers
Equity incorporating the Variety Artistes' Federation is an independent trade union
Website by The MTM Agency
Milder blocks of the cheese have long been our bestsellers but UK retailers have seen a surge in sales of extra mature
Figures from supermarket Tesco showed a 25 per cent increase in demand for its strongest varieties during the past 12 months
But which supermarket version really cuts it
One man who certainly knows his cheddar is cheesemaker Alex James
Here the Blur Bassist
founder of the annual Big Feastival and curator of Britpop Wines
tastes extra mature cheese and gives his verdict
perfected by scientists and now made in vast Willy Wonka-esque factories
Around 100 grams will give you a really generous
indulgent-sized chunk to serve with a ploughman’s
I struggle to think of anything that 79p would be better spent on
good-looking strong cheese with plenty of spring-oniony zip
It’s crying out for a classic crusty bread roll, a fat pickled onion and a glass of ice-cold beer in the spring sunshine.
You want a nice tight curd in an extra mature variety but this one is a bit loose and the texture’s a bit squishy for cheeseboard duties
microwaving it until it’s nice and gooey and then slavering it all over a piping-hot jacket potato
Give it plenty of pepper and maybe a side of pickled gherkins
judges are asked to consider three key factors of entries: appearance
I found the texture of this one a bit on the rubbery side
But it was still far from a disaster to taste alongside plenty of sharp piccalilli punch
it would be great oozing on top of toast or a crispy crumpet
nothing melts quite like Cheddar and while extra mature and vintage varieties are great on a cheeseboard
you are a liquid cheese fan as they melt the best and cost the least
M&S does have an exceptionally well-curated cheese section.In fact, I’d say it’s the best on the high street, and it’s also incredible value for money
This is a truly sensational extra mature Cheddar – it would draw a crowd at a cheese competition
It tastes like tucking into a sticky toffee pudding
It’s like enjoying your cheese course and your dessert simultaneously
I’d have a big wodge of it with port or a cider brandy
Or both maybe – the possibilities are endless
You can see complex salts crystallizing out of the curd which is enough to get any cheese geek’s pulse racing
Even when you’re comparing cheeses in the same category
it never fails to surprise me how different they can all taste
Especially as all cheeses contain just four ingredients: Milk
Some Cheddars are now made with cultures traditionally used in continental cheeses such as Comte
which can bring a really satisfying sweetness
CHAMPAGNE has to be made in that French region, while Cornish pasties have to be made in Cornwall
but Cheddar can be made anywhere in the world
And while it was invented in a cave in Somerset
it was the Australians who perfected the art of mass-producing the ancient recipe
You’d think the fact that anyone can copy that recipe and call it Cheddar would be a gift for the discount retailers who love a dupe
But this 18-month aged extra mature from Wales is way off the pace
We take Cheddar seriously and expect decent value
So this pricey “Deluxe” option is a real disappointment
It needs a massive pile of pickle to rescue it
THOUGH this has certainly got something to say for itself
it is not as pleasing as the Sainsbury’s block
The fact that large-scale distributors can now source their Cheddars from all over the world makes for a very strong field
But this extra mature is not a total catastrophe and still provides plenty of zippy notes
It would be best eaten with some sliced apple – a fruit which is great with pretty much any fromage and particularly good on a cheeseboard
it’s worth seeking out speciality varieties from smaller producers
Here are a few of my mature favourites from British family-run dairies
Quicke’s: This Devon dairy makes a stupendous range of traditional
benchmark Cheddars from mild and buttery to vigorous and vintage
cloth- bound Cheddar hand-made with unpasteurised milk in Somerset
Montgomery’s Cheddar: Perhaps a contender for Cheddar King of Kings
Keen’s: The Keen family have made this cheese in Somerset since 1899 – and clearly know what they are doing
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Is it possible for one of the world’s great cheeses to fly under the radar
since moving here I have made a small study of the glories that are Irish cheeses
I read my bedside copy of the Sheridan’s Guide religiously
and regularly make a pest of myself sampling anything new that I find at the market
After five years I thought I had a pretty good handle on the subject
until just before Christmas when I was putting together a cheeseboard for a neighbourhood party
I was smugly satisfied with my selections until the friendly woman behind the Sheridan’s counter at my local Ardkeen market suggested I try one more
I have learned that when this woman recommends
She shaved a paper-thin sample off a large wheel with a stony grey rind
I put it in my mouth and instantly knew I was on to something special
The texture was a little like that of a well-aged Parmigiano Reggiano – slightly crumbly with that distinctive crystalline protein pop
The flavour was more along the lines of a great Comté – nuts
That was my introduction to Coolattin Cheese’s Mount Leinster Cheddar
How I’d never heard of it before I’ll never know
for the last two years it has been judged the best cheddar in the world at the World Cheese Awards
it had been twice chosen as the best Irish cheese at the same competition
it twice had been crowned the supreme champion at the Irish Cheese Awards
Both the quality of the cheese and its relative obscurity are down to the meticulous care of Coolattin Cheese owner Tom Burgess. Operating from a small dairy farm in west Wicklow
Burgess controls his cheese every step of the way – from pasture to marketing
Because it is produced in relatively small quantities
it’s usually best found at dedicated cheese markets
[ Top Irish food and drink products and people for 2025 are namedOpens in new window ]
Coolattin is in the heart of an area long known for quality dairying. The operation is a quick walk to Rathgal, a late Bronze Age stone fort built about 3,000 years ago, at least in part to protect prized cattle herds, Burgess says.
It was the quality of the grass here that indirectly led Burgess to cheesemaking. “Good grass means good milk,” Burgess says. “And if you have the milk right before you start, you’re well on your way.”
“I have complete control over the milk because they’re our cows, fed on our grass. It all comes from our farm.”
To take advantage of this, Burgess’s cheeses are made only from raw milk and only in the months that the cattle are feeding on grass – April to October.
Coolattin only sells two kinds of cheese and they’re made almost identically. The morning milking goes straight into cheesemaking, where after heating, setting, cutting and draining, it is transformed into the beginnings of cheddar, wrapped in linen to allow the cheese to breathe and ready to start ageing.
Burgess makes roughly 1,500 wheels a year, divided almost equally between the Coolattin Cheddar and the Mount Leinster. That’s almost twice his production of a few years ago, before he entered a farming partnership with a neighbour that over time has nearly doubled his pasturage and number of cows.
In fact, the only difference between the two cheeses is ageing. Coolattin is ready to be shipped after about a year, while the Mount Leinster is aged for at least 15 months and up to two years.
Tasted side-by-side, you can readily see the effect of time. The 12-month-old Coolattin Cheddar is a beautiful cheese, smoother in texture with a flavour that leans more toward flowers and citrus tang. The 15-month Mount Leinster is noticeably crumbly with more developed flavours of mushrooms and earth. That complexity is even more apparent in the 18-month Mount Leinster. And a sample cut from an even older wheel shows that distinctive protein crunch and yet more complexity.
Needless to say, none of Burgess’s cheeses have much in common with what you may know as cheddar. In fact, he says, when he started selling the cheese, some friends suggested he should avoid that name because it is so associated with bland supermarket cheese.
But it was the great artisanal English cheddars such as that made by Jamie Montgomery that inspired Burgess to make cheese in the first place, though he tweaked the recipe to include tricks from some great French cheesemakers.
“I also like Comté and Gruyere,” he says, “and those are lovely cheeses, but I think cheddar has more length in flavour and a greater complexity.”
Those in the know certainly agree. Burgess says he was surprised but not surprised by all of the honours his cheeses have won.
“It’s just unbelievable,” he says. “But in another way I’m not surprised, really. When I started making cheese I said I was going to make the best cheese in the world. This was 20 years ago and more.
“But I knew I could do it because I could see then that I would have full control from the milk going into the cheese vat, to the process and the maturing. I knew if I did everything right, I could do it.”
“I think we’ve kind of got the milk and the cheese part where we want to be. Now it’s just figuring out the marketing so more people know about us.”
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If there is one thing we know about the UK; it has an enduring love for cheese - especially cheddar. To celebrate this, its latest campaign for Mini Cheddars sees pladis revisiting its award-winning Cheddar Town brand platform, which has been refreshed, revitalised and revamped by TBWA\London.
The new digital video campaign takes place back in the whimsically cheesy haven of ‘Cheddar Town’ inspired by the bright colours and iconic sunburst logo of Mini Cheddars. The new animated campaign, directed by Robert Strange and produced by Blinkink, takes viewers into the heart of the quirky cartoon wonderland, which has become a favourite of consumers and awards juries alike.
The previous campaign saw it exceed growth targets across penetration, frequency, audience profile, and revenue. The platform also won Gold Effies in both the UK and Europe.
This time, the spotlight is on the townsfolk’s annual cheese rolling competition - a hilariously chaotic event that showcases the community’s shared obsession with cheese.
The creative kicks off with a giant, mischievous cheddar wheel taking the lead as the townsfolk race after it. Each character uses cheeky tactics to gain an edge: Gladys loses her pearls trying to trip up competitors, while another racer disguises themselves as a tree to take out others. The playful narrative culminates in a surprising twist when a gleeful winner nets the ultimate prize - a bag of Mini Cheddars. The ad closes with the line, “Mini Cheddars, Baked with Real Cheese.”
With its vibrant animation, playful storytelling, and focus on Britain’s fanaticism for cheese, the campaign aims to capture hearts and appetites and showcase the snack’s ability to satisfy daily cravings.
Manning Gottlieb OMD have planned a blend of high reaching video channels which strongly indexed against Mini Cheddar’s audience to support the asset. Social-first content created by MG OMD’s Social Engine will bring townsfolk figures to life alongside an influencer partnership based in Cheddar Town itself to amplify messaging.
Paul Jordan, ECD at TBWA\London, said, “Cheese Rolling was simply the perfect scenario for our latest saga in Cheddar Town. There can be no better way to highlight how strange and obsessed we Brits are about cheese than to watch a whole town hurl itself down a hill in pursuit of it. And because Mini Cheddars are baked with real cheese they’re every bit as round, yellow and delicious as their namesakes.”
Kate Stokes, marketing manager for Mini Cheddars at pladis UK&I, said, “Mini Cheddars has always been about delivering big flavour in a small package, and this latest campaign perfectly captures the fun and obsession our fans feel for cheese. We’re incredibly proud of our product’s heritage and quality, and thrilled to share this next chapter of ‘Cheddar Town’ with the nation .”
Robert Strange, animation director said, “I love directing these Mini Cheddars films - they capture the spirit of the old-school ad campaigns that first made me want to direct commercials. In an era of snackable content, it’s refreshing to sink our teeth into a proper 20-second return to Cheddar Town, mining more comedy gold from the characters we created in 2021 and throwing them into their own bizarro downhill cheese roll.”
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Batches could be contaminated with the potentially killer bacteria listeria
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Supermarkets selling a range of Irish blended cheeses have issued an urgent recall over fears batches could be contaminated with the potentially killer bacteria listeria.
Shoppers who bought Horgans Irish Smoked Cheddar
Claddagh Bo Irish cheese and many variants of Old Irish cheddar including one infused with Murphy’s Stout with expiry dates in May
are being urged to return the JOD Food Products to the point of purchase
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has warned that symptoms caused by listeria can be similar to flu and include a high temperature
some may still be in consumers' refrigerators or freezers
The products should be discarded or returned to the place of purchase
Refrigerators, containers and other surfaces that may have touched the foods should also be cleaned and sanitised.
within a few hours or days after eating contaminated food
But they also can take weeks or up to three months to show up
Those most vulnerable to getting sick include the very young
people older than 65 and those with weakened immune systems or who are pregnant
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
the Listeria monocytogenes bacteria was first identified in 1911 but named in 1940 to “honour” British surgeon Joseph Lister
who recognised the importance of sterilising equipment before attempting invasive operations
It enters the human body after contaminated food is eaten or handled or contaminated surfaces are touched
The institution’s website said: “After a person ingests Listeria monocytogenes
the bacteria grow quickly in the liver and then move into the bloodstream and can invade many places in the body
membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord
the gastrointestinal tract and the bloodstream.”
In November, a baby died and at least 10 other people fell ill in an outbreak of listeria food poisoning linked to meat supplied from Yu Shang Food, Inc., of Spartanburg, South Carolina.
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After provisionally the warmest May Day on record in the UK
higher than average temperatures will subside over the weekend
Environment Agency
Updated: 05:50 (UTC+1) on Tue 6 May 2025
Fine and settled under the influence of high pressure
A chilly start but with plenty of clear skies bringing long spells of sunshine
Cloud thickening from the west later in the afternoon
but remaining dry for all with light winds
Evening cloud gradually clears away leaving a dry night with clear spells
Wednesday brings a mixture of sunny spells and cloudy skies
A few spots of rain may be felt in the far southwest
Widely dry and settled with high pressure dominating this week
Dry across the vast majority of the UK with clear or sunny spells but also some patchy cloud
Cloud will likely thicken across the far north and northwest during the weekend with some outbreaks of rain for a time
There is also a small risk of some heavy showers in the far south or southwest
high pressure will be dominant across the UK
This will bring predominantly fine and dry weather for the majority of places
Temperatures are likely to be slightly above normal for the time of year
although there is a chance of some cold nights
Fairly typical weather for the time of year is most likely through this period
fine and dry weather is more likely to dominate although this will be interspersed with occasional spells of rain and showers
with a risk of heavy rain and thunderstorms in places
temperatures will most likely be near to or slightly above average
have been stolen from a London-based artisanal cheese maker
Patrick Holden of Neal’s Yard Dairy said that 22 tonnes of Hafod
Westcombe and Pitchfork Cheddar were stolen on 21st October.
The fraudsters who posed as an agent of a French supermarket have received the biggest order in the company’s history and did not pay for it.
“The robbers asked Neal’s Yard to dispatch it to another warehouse in or around London
from which it was then collected by these nefarious people
so they cleverly covered their tracks.
and if they sell the cheese they’ll get more again”
The artisanal cheese maker and farmer who runs a dairy farm in western Wales
added that he believes the produce may end up on the streets of Russia or the Middle East
“where people aren’t going to ask questions about where it came from”.
“I think if they tried to sell it closer to home they’d find it difficult because the international artisan community is very connected,” Mr Holden said.
“If they tried to sell it in North America
the balloon would go up because people would ask questions,” Mr Holden added
The business is currently working with law enforcement authorities to identify the perpetrators of this fraud
we have honoured our commitment to our small-scale suppliers and paid all three artisan cheesemakers in full.
we would like to put out a call to everyone within our esteemed community of cheesemongers around the world
“If anyone is offered or receives cheeses they believe may have been associated with this theft, particularly clothbound Cheddars in a 10kg or 24kg format with the tags detached, please contact info@nealsyarddairy.co.uk so we can support the police in their investigation,” the owner of Holden Farm Dairy said.
Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has commented on the sad news, asking people to be wary of suspiciously large quantities of premium cheddar being sold “for cheap”.
He added: “There has been a great cheese robbery. Some of the best cheddar cheese in the world has been stolen.
“Remember, if the deal seems too gouda to be true, it probably is.”
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jamie Oliver (@jamieoliver)
Mr Holden said that Neal’s Yard Dairy has received “an overwhelming number of calls
“We are truly touched that so many people in the artisan cheese community and beyond are standing with us
It’s a reminder of why we love the work we do.
we say: continue to support British and Irish cheese
and Westcombe are special examples of farmhouse Cheddar
for a long time to come,” he concluded.
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Authorities in London have arrested a 63-year-old man in connection with the cheese heist of 2024
in which tens of thousands of pounds of high-value cheddar were stolen from a major distributor
London-based retailer and cheesemaker Neal’s Yard Dairy said it learned on Wednesday that a suspect was in custody
The Metropolitan Police confirmed to NPR that a man was detained on suspicion of fraud by false representation and handling stolen goods
“The man was taken to a south London police station where he was questioned
He has since been bailed pending further enquiries," a police spokesperson said
Over the past week, the British artisanal cheese community has been reeling after Neal’s Yard Dairy announced it had been the “victim of a sophisticated fraud resulting in the loss of over £300,000 worth of clothbound Cheddar” — the equivalent of more than $389,000
“The theft involved a fraudulent buyer posing as a legitimate wholesale distributor for a major French retailer
with the cheese delivered before the discovery of the fraudulent identity,” the company said
The thief made off with 950 wheels — over 22 metric tons, or roughly 48,500 pounds — of Hafod, Westcombe and Pitchfork cheddar, it added
The wheels came from three different artisan suppliers across England and Wales
these cheeses have won numerous awards and are amongst the most sought-after artisan cheeses in the U.K.,” Neal’s Yard Dairy said
“The high monetary value of these cheeses likely made them a particular target for the thieves.”
The crime cuts deep: Cheddar, which originated in a village by the same name in Somerset, England, is the best-selling cheese in the U.K. and a big source of national pride
Last week, British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver explained in an Instagram video that there is “only a small handful of real cheddar cheese makers in the world,” and that’s where the stolen cheese came from. He called it a “real shame.”
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jamie Oliver (@jamieoliver)
“This will slow Neal’s Yard being able to support all of their cheesemakers over the next five years
Neal’s Yard Dairy is shouldering the cost of the crime
having already paid the artisan cheesemakers in full
The company says it is now taking steps to ensure its own financial stability and the “continued development of the British artisan cheese sector.”
On Thursday, the company said it was aware of the arrest. "We are grateful for the progress they have made, and we will continue to support their investigation in any way we can," Neal’s Yard Dairy said in a statement
Neal’s Yard was not the only company affected by the cheese heist
Tom Calver with the cheesemaker Westcombe says they were led to believe they were sending their products to France via Neal’s Yard Dairy
“These guys … basically impersonated a wholesaler-slash-customer, quite a large retailer over in France,” he said in an Instagram video, showing a row of empty shelves and noting he had posted excitedly about the 10-ton order just weeks earlier. “It was a hoax, it was theft, it was fraud. I mean, it’s nuts.”
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Westcombe (@westcombe)
Patrick Holden, whose Hafod Welsh cheddar was taken, told the BBC that the robbers asked Neal’s Yard Dairy to dispatch the cheese to a London warehouse
He believes they may be trying to sell it in the Middle East or Russia
“because people won’t ask questions there.”
“I think if they tried to sell it closer to home they’d find it difficult,” he said
naming North America and Australia as examples
“Because the international artisan community is very connected.”
The cheesemakers have all issued statements thanking Neal’s Yard Dairy for honoring the sale and praising the company’s response as an example of the trust and integrity that exists in the small industry
Neal’s Yard Dairy is asking its “esteemed community of cheesemongers around the world” to keep an eye out for the cheese and contact them if they are offered or receive any suspicious deals — especially clothbound cheddars of certain weights (10 kg and 24 kg) with the tags detached
Calver amplified that request in his Instagram video
“If you do see or know of anybody over in Europe or around the world that there's some clothbound raw milk cheddar that's going cheap
“Because we can potentially trace it back — hopefully
I don’t know — and we can hopefully work with the police to try to find out who the culprits are and in some way help Neal’s Yard in this quest of finding the cheese.”
Oliver told his more than 10 million Instagram followers that “if anyone hears anything about posh cheese going for cheap
Oliver also wondered aloud what the thieves could possibly be planning to do with their high-profile loot
unpeel the cloth and then cut the skins off and grate it and get rid of it in the fast food industry
In a social media update posted on Sunday
Neal’s Yard Dairy said it has received an “overwhelming number” of calls
messages and visits from supporters since announcing the theft
And it offered an answer to the many everyday cheese lovers who have been asking how they can help
“Continue to support British and Irish cheese,” it wrote
Pitchfork and Westcombe are special examples of farmhouse Cheddar
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London-based cheesemonger Neal’s Yard Dairy has shared that it was duped out of 22 tonnes of Cheddar
with the premium cheese believed to have a street value of £300,000
was defrauded out of more than 950 wheels of clothbound Cheddar
In an Instagram post from Neal’s Yard Dairy
the company shared: “The theft involved a fraudulent buyer posing as a legitimate wholesale distributor for a major French retailer.”
The cheese had been delivered before it became clear that the buyer was not who they claimed to be
“Despite the significant financial blow
we have honoured our commitment to our small-scale suppliers and paid all three artisan cheesemakers in full,” it continued
“We are currently working with law enforcement authorities to identify the perpetrators of this fraud
we would like to put out a call to everyone within our esteemed community of cheesemongers around the world.”
The Metropolitan Police has confirmed that the “theft of a large quantity of cheese” was reported last week (Monday 21 October)
and that “enquiries are ongoing into the circumstances”
Among those to have publicised the incident in the hopes that the missing truckles will be tracked down is celebrity chef Jamie Oliver
who shared an Instagram video to inform his 10.5 million followers:
A post shared by Jamie Oliver (@jamieoliver)
Oliver said that people should keep an eye out for “lorryloads of very posh cheese”
but warned that it was possible that the stolen Cheddar might have been sliced and/or grated
Neal’s Yard Dairy has said that if anyone finds clothbound Cheddars with the tags removed
they should contact info@nealsyarddairy.co.uk
and this information will then be passed on to the police
It isn’t just high-value cheese which can seemingly disappear – at the beginning of this year it was revealed that one of Paris’ most famous restaurants had lost 83 bottles of wine, valued at a staggering £1.5 million.
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Listeria can cause flu like symptoms and even meningitis in severe cases
Lidl has issued an urgent recall of infected cheddar cheese over fears it can cause flu-like symptoms and severe infections to babies
Some Deluxe Sriracha Cheddar Cheese Wedges, sold in branches of the budget supermarket in Northern Ireland, were found to contain a dangerous bacteria called Listeria monocytogenes
The batches of the spicy cheese being recalled have a best before date of May 5
Lidl said in posters being put up in affected stores
the Food Standards Agency said: “Lidl Northern Ireland is recalling a batch of Deluxe Sriracha Cheddar Cheese Wedge because Listeria monocytogenes has been found in this product
“Some people are more vulnerable to listeria infections
babies less than one month old and people with weakened immune systems
“If you have bought the above product do not eat it
return the product to where it was bought for a full refund.”
Symptoms caused by this bacteria can be similar to flu and include high temperature
However, in rare cases, the infection can be more severe, causing serious complications, such as meningitis
Some people are more vulnerable to listeria infections
Last month, Braga Fresh’s ready-to-eat 12oz Marketside Broccoli Florets was also recalled, after the product was sold at Walmart stores in 20 different states. The broccoli was recalled because of the possibility it was contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, which can also cause intestinal illness.
The possible listeria contamination of Braga Fresh’s broccoli “was discovered during random sampling by Texas Health & Human Services from a Texas store location where one of multiple samples yielded a positive test result,” according to the FDA.
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Lidl has increased its market share over the past year (Andrew Matthews/PA)
Aldi is shaking up the chilled aisle this festive season with a NEW range of Specially Selected cheeses featuring unexpected and daring flavour combinations
Forget boring cheddar as this year Aldi is offering everything from the sweet and creamy to the spicy and bold to get those tastebuds tingling
Available in stores now starting from just £2.49
Shoppers must try Aldi’s NEW and quirky Specially Selected Wensleydale with West Country Fudge (£2.49, 200g)
crumbly texture of Wensleydale with the rich
creating a surprisingly delicious cheesecake taste that’s perfect for satisfying both that sweet and savoury craving
Aldi has launched a NEW Specially Selected Coastal Cheddar with Wasabi and Ginger (£2.49
This bold cheese combines the creamy sharpness of cheddar with the fiery kick of wasabi and the warming spice of ginger
It’s a guaranteed conversation starter and an ideal addition to a festive cheese board for guests who like an unexpected kick
Aldi is returning the shopper favourite, Specially Selected Bombay Spiced Red Leicester with Geeta’s Mango Chutney (£2.49
aromatic spices and paired with a sweet and tangy mango chutney
shoppers can opt for the NEW Specially Selected Coastal Cheddar with Pineapple (£2.49
a mellow combination of sharp cheddar and sweet pineapple
truffle lovers will adore getting stuck into returning favourite Specially Selected Sheep’s Cheese with Truffle (£3.49
earthy flavour infused with the luxurious essence of truffle
making it a truly special addition to any cheese board
To add a splash of flavour to the cheese board and spread that Christmas cheer
Aldi has launched NEW Specially Selected Seasonal Chutneys (£1.39) offering the perfect sweet and tangy accompaniment to every creamy
Shoppers can choose from Spiced Apple & Pear (200g)
Aldi’s Specially Selected Cheese Range and Specially Selected Seasonal Chutneys are available in stores now
For more information, please contact the Aldi Press Office on:T: 0207 479 0910 or alditeam@clarioncomms.co.uk
has found that Aldi is yet again named the cheapest supermarket for a basket of 79 essential items this month
Shoppers can say ‘ciao’ to a moreish-ly meaty Italian sandwich for under £1 this summer thanks to Aldi
Proper Snacks has launched two new snacks Cheese Lentil Chips and Mature Cheddar Popcorn
Both new products are available in single serve
Both new launches are designed to meet consumer and retailer demand for snacks that deliver on flavour without compromising on quality
The products are made with natural flavouring
chief marketing officer at Proper Snacks said: “The UK’s love for cheese is undeniable – it’s a go-to in everything from sandwiches to snacks
so it was important that we gave cheese the proper treatment
All the Cheese chips – with four real cheeses – and Mature Cheddar popcorn bring something new to snacks across both our popcorn and lentil chip bases
In a category where too many brands rely on artificial ingredients to create that cheesy flavour
we’ve taken our commitment to big and natural flavours to create a snack that meets consumer demand for great-tasting products.”
Tagged with: lentil chips popcorn proper snacks snacking
Whitehall and Yatton are the featured Club Connexion clubs for the visit of Exeter Chiefs to Bear Country for Community Day on Saturday
The four local rugby clubs from the Foundation’s Club Connexion programme take centre stage on Community Day as for the West Country derby (5.30pm KO)
Club Connexion is our local club partnership offer which supports the community clubs with coach education workshops
player development camps and many other benefits
All 30 local rugby clubs will enjoy a featured Bristol Bears home game at Ashton Gate throughout the 2024/25 season as part of the Club Connexion programme and you can find out more about Cheddar Valley
Cheddar Valley RFC is a fully inclusive rugby club that welcomes players of all ages and abilities
From the club’s minis teams to its family-oriented atmosphere
Cheddar Valley pride themselves on creating a supportive and fun environment for everyone
Hayley Keates-Porter says: “The club wanted to get involved in Club Connexion because
it provides a fantastic opportunity to offer children new experiences and help them develop their love for rugby
It’s a great platform to create excitement around the sport and encourage more young players to get involved.”
“We’re incredibly excited for our Club Connexion featured game against Exeter Chiefs at Ashton Gate
this will be their first time attending a live sports game
so it’s a great opportunity to create lasting memories
“We’re thrilled to share this experience with both our players and their families
and it fills us with pride to have our club featured
It’s a special moment for everyone involved
and we can’t wait to see the excitement it brings to the whole community.”
founded in 1931 by a teacher at what was then Whitehall School
The club is still embedded in the local community with a membership of senior players and members who have been part of the club since they were kids.
The club’s minis and junior section has grown massively in the last few years and welcomes players of all abilities throughout the season to be part of Whitehall
Sarah Pascoe said: “Until recently our Minis and Juniors has been small in number
but we have seen a massive growth in numbers recently and being involved in Club Connexions allows our members to become more involved in the sport
premiership fixtures and other events that Bristol Bears facilitate in the city.
“It’s an exciting programme for all our members and volunteers to feel part of the wider rugby community
Our U9s are very excited to be on the pitch playing touch rugby before the featured game and we have a lot of new players who have never been flag bearers who also can’t wait to get on the pitch and enjoy the atmosphere.”
Yatton RFC aim to make everyone feel welcome
Whether it is hosting the Somerset Cup Final or welcoming touring side
the club offers a warm welcome to everyone
says: “We feel rugby brings huge personal joy to those involved and this has been a focus for our Minis & Junior section for a number of years
We are blessed with brilliant coaches who not only give up their Sundays to train everyone interested in rugby
but we also attend the local primary schools
“Being a Club Connexion club was very important to us
it has enabled us to benefit from the Bristol Bears Community Foundation’s coaching expertise
as well as giving local kids opportunities they wouldn’t normally have
Our kids are buzzing ahead of our featured game
it’s good to have Premiership rugby back – we’ve missed it!”
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The products may be contaminated with bacteria that can cause serious illness.
JOD Food Products issued a recall notice for 18 items due to “the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes”.
Symptoms caused by the bacteria can be similar to flu and include high temperature, muscle aches or pain, chills, vomiting and diarrhoea.
In rare cases, the infection can be more severe, causing serious complications such as meningitis.
Customers are being urged not to eat the foods and return all affected products to the store in which they were purchased for a full refund.
A statement from JOD read: “Some people are more vulnerable to Listeria infections, including those over 65 years of age, pregnant women and their unborn babies, babies less than one-month-old and people with weakened immune systems.
“If you have bought the above products do not eat them. Instead, return them to where they were purchased for a full refund.
“Any customers with queries or concerns can contact JOD Food Products on 00353 6371209.”
The full list of contaminated products is below;
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London’s Neal’s Yard Dairy swindled out of 950 wheels of award-winning cheddars delivered to alleged fraudster
The celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has encouraged cheese lovers to help police catch scammers who defrauded a London dairy out of more than £300,000 worth of English and Welsh cheddar
Neal’s Yard Dairy, a distributor and retailer of British artisan cheese, delivered 22 tonnes of award-winning clothbound cheddar to the alleged fraudster posing as a wholesale distributor for a large French retailer before realising it had been duped
described the incident involving more than 950 wheels of cheddar as a “brazen heist of shocking proportions”
He told followers on Instagram to be alert if they heard anything about “lorryloads of very posh cheese” being offered “for cheap”
adding that the cheddar would have originally been worth about £300,000
The stolen cheeses were Hafod Welsh organic cheddar
which have won a number of awards and are among “the most sought-after artisan cheeses in the UK”
the small-scale producers of the stolen products
The three cheeses sell for between £7.15 and £12.90 for a small piece weighing 250-300g
Neal’s Yard Dairy added it was working with the Metropolitan police to identify the perpetrators
The dairy is calling on cheesemongers around the world to contact them if they suspect they have been sold the stolen cheese
particularly clothbound cheddars in a 10kg or 24kg format with the tags detached
On Friday, the Met said in a statement it was investigating a “report of the theft of a large quantity of cheese” from a London outlet
“Inquiries are ongoing into the circumstances,” it said
adding that no arrests had been made so far since the theft was reported on Monday
Ian Payne is Leading Britain's Conversation
An urgent cheese warning has been issued due to a number of cheddars sold by Tesco potentially being contaminated with deadly listeria bacteria
More than a dozen cheeses have been recalled from shelves amid fears that they have been contaminated
A 'do not eat' alert was sent out by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) for 18 items produced by JOD Food Products
Among those impacted are the Spar Old Irish Creamery Cheddar with Chilli
Horgans Irish Smoked Cheddar and Old Irish Creamery Cheese Pepper Cheese
The recall is across Tesco stores in Ireland
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The manufacturer said: "Please return the affected products to store where a full refund will be given
"There is a risk that the product may contain Listeria monocytogenes
a bacterium that is potentially harmful if consumed."
The FSA said: "Point of sale notices will be displayed in all retail stores that are selling this product
"These notices explain to customers why the product is being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the product."
Listeriosis is an infection caused due to food being contaminated with the bacterium listeria monocytogenes
It is particularly dangerous for the elderly
Spar Old Irish Creamery Cheddar with Chilli
Old Irish Creamery Cheese Irish Cheddar with Red Wine
Old Irish Creamery Cheese Irish Cheddar with Sriracha
Old Irish Creamery Cheese Irish Sage Cheddar
Old Irish Creamery Cheese Irish Cheddar with Caesar Salad
Old Irish Creamery Cheese Irish Cheddar with Coffee
Claddagh Bo Irish Cheddar Cheese with Irish Whiskey
Claddagh Bo Irish Cheddar Cheese with Porter Beer
Old Irish Creamery Cheese Irish Cheddar Oak Smoked
Old Irish Creamery Cheese Irish Cheddar with Chilli
Old Irish Creamery Cheese Irish Cheddar with Chives
Old Irish Creamery Cheese Irish Cheddar with Cranberries
Old Irish Creamery Cheese Irish Cheddar with Garlic & Herbs
Old Irish Creamery Cheese Irish Cheddar with Irish Porter
Old Irish Creamery Cheese Irish Cheddar with Irish Whiskey
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· Aldi combines multi-award-winning champagne with fan favourite cheddar for the ultimate indulgent starter this Valentine’s Day
· The Good Housekeeping Institute ‘Taste Approved’ bake1 is in stores from 10th February
Aldi is combining its multi-award-winning Veuve Monsigny Champagne2 and popular Barber’s Vintage Cheddar to create the ultimate indulgent treat for a romantic night in or a Galentine’s party food spread
The first of its kind for any UK supermarket
the Specially Selected Veuve Monsigny Champagne & Barber’s Vintage Cheddar Bake (£3.49
150g) boasts a sophisticated blend of luxurious champagne flavours with deliciously indulgent
shoppers should bake in the oven and enjoy with warm
this premium starter is made with the highest quality British ingredients and has already gained a ‘Taste Approved’ certification from the Good Housekeeping Institute
The Specially Selected Veuve Monsigny Champagne & Barber’s Vintage Cheddar Bake will be available in Aldi stores from 10th February
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Britain’s love for its favourite cheese is undergoing a major transformation thanks to the changing British palate
For centuries the most popular strength for Cheddar across the UK was mild and medium
but latest sales data can reveal that the fastest growing varieties are now the most powerful extra mature and vintage types
Artisan Cheddar cheesemaker Ford Farms, based in Dorchester
which specialises in making the very strongest varieties
And in order to meet the growing demand, supermarket Tesco has increased the pack sizes of its own label top strength cheeses while ordering more to be ready once they have matured for the requisite 18 months
Cheese experts say the change is all down to our love of spicier food which now dominates British cuisine and has hardened our palates
The latest 12-month volume sales data from all retailers analysed by Kantar showed the demand for vintage Cheddar growing by 5.4% and extra mature Cheddar up by 2%.
But sales of medium Cheddar has fallen by 5.6% and mild Cheddar down by 2.4%.
At Tesco, demand for extra mature and vintage Cheddar have increased by nearly 25% in the last year.
Tesco UK cheese buyer Darren Atherton said: “The gradual move towards stronger tasting Cheddar varieties has come about because of our love of spicy food.
“With curries, Asian and Mexican food now a regular part of the UK diet, our palates are acclimatising to these stronger and more exotic flavours so that we tend to go for more complex taste profiles.
“This has been especially recognised in the Cheddar industry where producers are widening the strength profiles of their cheeses to include varieties that pack more of a punchier taste.
“And they are achieving this by selecting different starter culture at the start of the cheesemaking process which then produce different flavour profiles over longer periods of maturation.”
As a result of the trend more Cheddar producers are now making stronger tasting varieties.
Artisan independent cheesemaker Ford Farm, which makes the famous Wookey Hole and Coastal Bite varieties, is also seeing a rising demand.
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Head cheesemaker Martin Crabb said: “Demand for vintage Cheddar is going through the roof right now and is almost certainly at an all-time high.
“We created our Coastal Cheddar to appeal to the consumer demand for a rich, rugged Cheddar and we age it for up to 15 months which gives it an intense flavour while the culture used also adds a contrasting subtly sweet top note.”
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The fastest growing varieties of Cheddar are now the most powerful extra mature and vintage types
Britain's cheese preferences are evolving, with a notable shift towards stronger cheddar varieties
While mild and medium cheddars have historically dominated the market
sales data reveals a growing appetite for extra mature and vintage options
This trend is further corroborated by Tesco
which has increased pack sizes and orders for its own-label top strength cheeses to meet the growing consumer interest
These cheeses require a maturation period of 18 months before reaching peak flavour
Experts attribute this shift to the increasing popularity of spicier cuisine in Britain
The latest 12-month volume sales data from all retailers analysed by Kantar showed the demand for vintage Cheddar growing by 5.4 per cent and extra mature Cheddar up by 2 per cent
But sales of medium Cheddar has fallen by 5.6 per cent and mild Cheddar down by 2.4 per cent
demand for extra mature and vintage Cheddar have increased by nearly 25 per cent in the last year
Tesco UK cheese buyer Darren Atherton said: “The gradual move towards stronger tasting Cheddar varieties has come about because of our love of spicy food
“With curries, Asian and Mexican food now a regular part of the UK diet, our palates are acclimatising to these stronger and more exotic flavours so that we tend to go for more complex taste profiles.
Sales of stronger types of cheddar have increased according to market analysts
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To celebrate the return of Britain’s favourite Welsh/Essex based sitcom this Christmas
Lidl has rebranded its Valley Spire Mature Cheddar to ‘Midgeure Cheddar’
paying homage to one of the show’s classic festive gags
A popular misreference in the well-loved TV show
one of its funniest characters mistakenly combines the name of 80s singer Midge Ure into one word
Paying homage to the final episode on Christmas Day
Lidl has released a limited edition run of its deliciously crumbly cheddar
complete with a bespoke label referencing the mix up
1,000 blocks of ‘Midgeure Cheddar’ containing British cheese will be available for fans to win as part of a lush festive giveaway
Whether it’s enjoyed as part of a festive cheese board
or used up in a grate bubble and squeak
this limited-edition cheese is sure to put a smile on the faces of fans around the country as they prepare to embrace this year’s most festive TV moments.
Fans of a cheesy gag eager to get hold of a ‘Midgeure Cheddar’ block of their own need only visit lidl.co.uk/cheese-comp and sign up for the competition before the 8th December
with winners chosen at random the following week. Tidy
Cardiff’s wildest mini golf venue is turning up the fun this spring with a fang-tastic
The ad-free version is ready for purchase on iOS mobile app today
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Shoppers are being urgently notified that 19 varieties of supermarket cheese are subject to an immediate recall
Customers who have purchased any of the affected products are strongly advised not to consume them
they are instructed to return the cheeses to the store from which they were bought in order to receive a full refund
JOD Food Products can be contacted for further information or assistance on 00353 6371209
The recall includes cheeses available at Tesco and SPAR outlets
Tesco has confirmed the impact on its products were limited to stores in the Republic of Ireland
The Food Standards Agency has issued a guidance stating: "Please return the affected products to store where a full refund will be given
The preventative action is due to concerns over the potential presence of Listeria monocytogenes
Symptoms induced by this bacterium can resemble those of the flu
and in unusual cases may escalate to more grave health issues like meningitis
Certain groups are particularly susceptible to Listeria infections, namely individuals older than 65, pregnant women and their unborn children, infants under one month old, and people with compromised immune systems, reports Birmingham Live
Here is a list of some cheese products involved in the recall:
- Old Irish Creamery Cheese Irish Cheddar with Red Wine
- Old Irish Creamery Cheese Irish Cheddar with Sriracha
- Old Irish Creamery Cheese's Sage Cheddar
The same brand's Irish Cheddar with Caesar Salad and Irish Cheddar with Coffee
- Claddagh Bo's Irish Cheddar Cheese with Irish Whiskey
while their Irish Cheddar Cheese with Porter Beer
Old Irish Creamery Cheese's Irish Cheddar Oak Smoked
- Their Irish Cheddar with Chilli and Irish Cheddar with Chives
- The same brand's Irish Cheddar with Cranberries
- Old Irish Creamery Cheese's Irish Cheddar with Irish Porter
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By Grace Duncan2024-09-19T08:52:00+01:00
The range is the brand’s biggest innovation launch this year and will be available in four formats: block
Cathedral City has ventured into the functional space with a new High Protein sub-brand
The half-fat cheddar products are set to hit Sainsbury’s shelves on 22 September
in the market-leading cheese brand’s biggest launch this year
The High Protein range spans four formats: block
The recipe packs 30g of protein per 100g and 50% less fat than standard cheddar
The NPD is targeted at health-conscious consumers who don’t want to sacrifice on taste
The launch aims to cement Cathedral City as “the leader” in the high-protein
“We have applied all our expertise into this product to ensure consumers get the same great taste they would expect from a Cathedral City product,” she added
“Our goal is to provide shoppers with high-protein
half-fat cheese options that do not sacrifice the taste and quality they love
and this range is perfect for customers who want the joy and flavour of delicious cheddar with the additional benefits of naturally high protein and 50% less fat
allowing them to achieve their fitness goals.”
Saputo said the launch complemented current Cathedral City products including the Cathedral City Lighter
Lactose Free and Plant Based ranges catering to specific dietary requirements
It comes as Cathedral City this week unveiled another extension to its vegan cheese offering: Our Plant Based Smokey (rsp: £3.60/280g)
the cheese giant said the new flavour capitalised on the rising trend of consumer interest in smokey flavoured products within plant-based
Owens added that it was an opportunity to “further cement the mass appeal of our brand”
The launch will be supported with in-store and online activity
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is undergoing a major transformation thanks to the changing British palate
For centuries the most popular strength for Cheddar across the UK was mild and medium but latest sales data can reveal that the fastest growing varieties are now the most powerful extra mature and vintage types
In order to meet the growing demand Tesco has increased the pack sizes of its own label top strength cheeses while ordering more to be ready once they have matured for the requisite 18 plus months
Cheese experts say the change is all down to our love of spicier food which now dominate British cuisine and which have hardened our palates
At Tesco demand for extra mature and vintage versions of the famous cheese have increased by nearly 25% in the last year
said: “The gradual move towards stronger tasting Cheddar varieties has come about because of our love of spicy food
Asian and Mexican food now a regular part of the UK diet our palates are acclimatising to these stronger and more exotic flavours so that we tend to go for more complex taste profiles
“This has been especially recognised in the Cheddar industry where producers are widening the strength profiles of their cheeses to include varieties that pack more of a punchier taste
As a result of the trend more Cheddar producers are now making stronger tasting varieties
who specialise in Cheddar and make the famous cave aged Wookey Hole and Coastal Bite varieties are also seeing the rising demand for stronger and punchier varieties
gives the example of its Coastal Cheddar which it launched in 2000
Sales slowly grew through word of mouth until it was picked up by Tesco in 2006 who put it for sale in its stores across the UK
In the last 15 years the company has seen demand rocket by 460% with production growing from 1300 tonnes a year in 2010 to the present 6000 tonnes
said: “Demand for vintage Cheddar is going through the roof right now and is almost certainly at an all-time high
“We created our Coastal Cheddar to appeal to the consumer demand for a rich
rugged Cheddar and we age it for up to 15 months which gives it an intense flavour while the culture used also adds a contrasting subtly sweet top note
Tesco hard cheese technical manager Eleanor Wood
added: “A big signifier for high quality within vintage cheddar is the visual formation of calcium lactate crystals that forms on the inside and outside of the cheese
“It adds so much depth of flavour and texture to the cheese
providing you with a slightly salty note but also a beautiful crunch
“When eating the cheese you’ll be hit by the complex flavours – slight sweetness first following the more intense sharpness and acidic notes
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cheesemakers Patrick and Becky Holden are driven by their deep connection to the land
This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK).“You couldn’t make Hafod cheddar anywhere else — it’s a reflection of this farm
this land and these cows,” says farmer Patrick Holden
“And it all starts with a healthy microbiome in the soil
through to the one in our stomachs — it’s all interconnected.”
Patrick has been farming at Bwlchwernen Fawr
clover pastures feed the soil with nitrogen and
“power the cows” — a herd of Ayrshires with glossy white and conker-brown coats
Patrick is one of the UK’s organic farming pioneers
he used what Becky calls a “tapestry of ecosystems” — a mix of wheat and oat crops
akin to how Welsh farming used to be — to bring the farm back to life after years of neglect
he set up the UK’s first organic farming standards
before going on to establish the Sustainable Food Trust
their rinds blooming with blue-green mould
This award-winning cheese is made using raw milk and has a delicate
The Holdens developed the recipe with help from other cheesemakers and books from the early 20th century
cooler process than is used to make most farmhouse cheddars
allowing the cheese to develop at its own pace
the Holdens don’t wrap their cheddar in cloth
which they say allows it to breathe while it matures over 11 months
smiles and tears held in this cheese,” says Becky
who does most of the farming and describes her connection to the cows and farm as intensely emotional
“The knowledge that food is an expression of the land that it comes from — its terroir — has been forgotten,” she adds
“Every field has something to give — it’s about the subtle nuances.”
It’s this connection that Patrick is continuing to advocate for
through the Sustainable Food Trust’s latest project: a network of ‘Beacon Farms’ across the UK that aims to showcase sustainability
“We’re building a community of farmers for the kind of food we’re going to need to feed everyone in the future,” he says
1. CiderSeidir Tydecho is reviving Wales’s rich
cider-making tradition with a sparkling version fermented with honey in the Dyfi Valley
2. LaverbreadMade by cooking and mincing laver (a type of seaweed), laverbread is known as ‘Welshman’s caviar’. Parsons Pickles in Carmarthenshire sells it in pre-packaged trays
3. Sea saltProduced on Anglesey since Roman times, sea salt has been harvested by Halen Môn since 1997. The company also offers tours.
(Available in select countries only)."},"type":"inline","style":{}}],"cid":"drn:src:natgeo:unison::prod:9dcc5d1e-0a7b-4954-8d6a-b55117067bb7","cntrbGrp":[{"contributors":[{"displayName":"Jez Fredenburgh"}],"title":"By","rl":"Writer"}],"mode":"richtext","dscrptn":"Between Wales’s Cambrian Mountains and Ceredigion coast
lovingly known as the 'cheese cathedral'.","ttl":"Welsh cheesemakers in the cheese cathedral","rchDsc":{"markup":"Patrick and Becky Holden mature their Hafod cheddar behind the farmhouse
Positioned upon the shores of Lake Maggiore
much of the architecture within the town of Ascona is of a Mediterranean-style
Patrick and Becky Holden mature their Hafod cheddar behind the farmhouse