News from the Dairy, September 2013.

Sarah's Musings

Well Hello Everyone, as I write it is the most beautiful sunny day without a cloud in the sky. I hope you have enjoyed the summer and the joy of seeing a cloudless sky as much as we have. Yes we have had a busy time which might help to explain but does not make up for the dearth of Newsletters for which I apologise.

Cheese Award season in full swing

Our Ashdown Foresters was awarded a Gold medal at the British Cheese Awards last week and our newest cheese, Brighton Blue was awarded a Bronze. It also won bronze at the very prestigious International Cheese Awards held in Nantwich in July. We felt very proud when our cheese was deemed better than some very well established Blue cheeses.

Sussex Food and Drink Awards

If you would like to vote for us, in the Best Food Producer Category, please visit Sussex Food and Drink awards or text FOOD6004 to 65400 by Saturday 15th September when voting closes. I know you have supported us wonderfully for the last 2 years and we have won twice so I am fully aware that it is perhaps someone else’s turn!

Our Cakes of Cheese have been enjoyed by many

Mark and I were lucky enough to attend Dan and Emma's wedding last week where one of our cakes of cheese took centre stage. Perhaps this is something you might consider for your next celebration?

Many of you have Joined us to Make Cheese

We have had a wonderful time this summer meeting so many lovely people who share a curiosity and passion for learning more about making cheese and have attended one of our Cheese Making Courses
For the remainder of this year we have courses, on which we have spaces, taking place on the following dates:- Friday 18th October, Friday 15th November, Friday 22nd November, Saturday 30th November, Friday 6th December

We also sell VOUCHERS for the Cheese Courses and these make a wonderful Christmas or Birthday gift for the Lover of Cheese in your life.

Help in the Dairy

This Summer we have welcomed 3 younger people to the dairy. Andrew, my nephew, on the left, and Josephine, from Germany, joined us for some work experience and Adam is combining working with us whilst studying at Plumpton College.

Sussex Cheese Bowling on Saturday 14th September

If you have yet to try your hand at bowling cheese, please do visit us at the Brighton & Hove Food and Drink Festival on the Hove Lawns from 11am until 4pm on Saturday 14th September and all will be revealed!!

Not only can you try some of our cheese, by purchasing a ‘ball of cheese’ you will be supporting this year’s charites as the proceeds from the sales of the ‘balls of cheese’ will be donated to FAIRSHARE and ROCKINGHORSE

A Shortage of Organic Sheep Milk but 1 NEW Halloumi

Whilst the beautiful sunny weather has been a welcome change for us it has not been so welcomed by the Organic Sheep. They have stopped producing milk sooner than usual and so our supply of Organic Sheep has suffered. But not wishing the small issue of limited supplies of organic sheep milk to deter us and not wishing to disappoint our devotees of Halloumi we are now making a Halloumi Cheese, with blended Organic Cow and Organic Sheep Milk. And yes it does make production a little more complicated but we don’t wish to disappoint and we hope the supplies of Organic Sheep Milk will increase as we enter the Autumn.

Until then we also have limited supplies of Organic Duddleswell, Organic Medita and Organic Sheep Milk.

Mini Cheese Fests for Christmas

It might seem a long way off but we will be holding Mini Cheese Fests on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th December this year. So a chance to purchase hampers of cheese for friends and family or to stock up with cheese for Christmas and this year I think Brighton Blue might feature quite heavily!!

Dates for your Diary

This month, in addition to our usual markets, we would love you to join us at the following. Sat 14th Sept on Hove Lawns for Cheese Bowling, Sat 21st Sept for Chelwood Gate Village Market, Fri 20th - Sun 22nd Sept for The Big Bite Food Festival at Hotham Park, Sat 28th Sept for Tastings at Village Greens Ockley & Field & Forrest in Lindfield, Sun 29th Sept for Chiddingly Food Festival.

Are you a winner this month?

Our winner this month is Belinda Domzalski. Belinda please contact me sarah@highwealddairy.co.uk to claim your cheese goodie bag.

Here's to a mellow, fruitful and misty autumn

Sarah and all at High Weald Dairy

PS. Please forward to your friends using the link at the bottom of the email.