KIELDER ORGANIC MEATS - IN THE MEDIA
A selection of stories from and for the press about Kielder Organic Meats
If you would like any further information please contact Michelle Anderson:
e-mail:info@kielderorganicmeats.co.uk or Telephone: +44 (0) 1434 220 435.
PR Contact:dioverton@kielderoganicmeats.co.uk

Demanding a second bite

From The Journal Published on April 20 2008.
By JANE HALL, THE JOURNAL

WHEN can we do it all again? So say stallholders who attended the first ever Journal Taste North East England Food and Drink Festival at the weekend.

So successful was the event run in association with the National Trust at the Gibside estate near Rowlands Gill that many exhibitors had all but run out of produce by lunch-time, and were forced to make emergency calls for more stock to be brought in.

Others have already signed-up new customers as 10,000 plus descended on Gibside, drawn by the chance to not only buy some of the finest foods available anywhere in Britain but watch cookery demonstrations by local celebrity chefs and meet TV’s Hairy Biker, Simon King.

Michelle Anderson of Kielder Organic Meats admitted she was unprepared for the spending frenzy that erupted when last Saturday’s event opened to the public at 10.30am.

She said: “I expected the festival to be busy, but I never expected the response I got. I had sold out in two hours. It was crazy. I had brought 10 trays of meat, which is a lot, but it just flew off the stall. It was the shortest time I’ve ever sold that much.

“And the response I have had since has been fantastic. I have had a lot of positive feedback since Saturday and I now have people ordering for next week. Your event has given me new customers.

“I know the pudding woman on the stall next to me also sold out. People came with money to spend, and they weren’t shy in spending it. I was doing tastings of our sausages and I had to stop cooking because there were so many people clamouring to buy. I remember looking up at one point and there were so many people I couldn’t see across their heads.”

Mrs Anderson, 44, who started Kielder Organic Meats two-and-a-half years ago with husband Colin, 43, in Bellingham, Northumberland, added: “We would love to do another Journal food and drink festival.”

Her sentiments have been echoed by Ian Nixon, 29, of Spicy Monkey. The Gateshead-based business which specialises in spices and curry pastes and marinades was left with only a handful of jars by close of play – leaving Mr Nixon and girlfriend Gemma Reynolds, 28, wondering how they were going to stock their stall for Sunday’s Newcastle Quayside Market which they regularly attend.

“The food and drink festival far exceeded our expectations. Because The Journal had never done an event like this before we hadn’t expected it to be so successful.

“But it was brilliant. We pretty much sold out and we had to scrape together produce to sell for the Quayside.

“If you ever do anything like this again, count us in.”

Chris and Shirley Donkin sold more than 400 loaves, 300 savoury pies and hundreds of scones. The couple, who run Northumberland bakers J Donkin, had doubled their original order for the day as publicity for the Gibside event grew in momentum. Mrs Donkin said: “For us you really have to try and plan as all our food is perishable. But we sold out of everything. We brought extra cakes as back-up as we knew they would keep longer than the bread if they didn’t sell, but even they went. It was superb.

“We go to other established food festivals, but we sold more at Gibside, which is excellent as it was the first such event.

“In terms of the mix of stalls and people who came, it was fantastic. We would definitely do another Journal food and drink festival.”

Alison Taylor of Bedlington-based Food Local Food which delivers the best quality regional produce to people’s homes, taking away the need for consumers to drive between retailers themselves, gave away more than 1,500 leaflets and secured at least 10 new orders on the day.

“By the time we had closed up shop we had 10 new orders – four taken at the stall and six by the time I got back home. But I know we have had more orders on our website now than we had for the whole of last week, and I know they have come through The Journal event.

“We sold hundreds of pounds worth of vegetables and we were exhausted by the end of the day. But we would do it all again.”

Bring Your Tastebuds To Life

From The Journal Published on April 15 2008.
By JANE HALL, THE JOURNAL

A STATELY home in Gateshead will become the culinary capital of the North East later this month thanks to a gastronomic extravaganza organised by The Journal.

Gibside near Rowlands Gill will be the setting for the first ever Journal Taste North East England Campaign Food and Drink Festival in association with the National Trust.

Delicacies and delights from across the region will be on offer to visitors as more than 50 of the area’s finest food and drink suppliers and producers gather alongside local celebrity chefs for the one-day event on April 26.

Set against one of the grandest backdrops that any food and drink festival could boast, the joint Journal and National Trust event will be a celebration and demonstration of great North East cooking and the excellent produce available between the Rivers Tweed and Tees.

Located on the Green Close next to the ruined ancestral home of the Bowes-Lyons family, not only will the festival be worth coming to just for Gibside’s spectacular vistas, winding paths and grassy open spaces spanning 400 acres, but for the chance to enjoy some of the finest produce on offer anywhere in Britain.

From the farmers to the chefs, the festival will whet your appetite by tasting, selling and cooking game and fish, tasty soups and bread, succulent meats and tempting puddings, homemade sweets and jams, fresh vegetables and free range local eggs. You can then wash all that down in the real ale and wine tent.

With a cookery demonstration marquee sponsored by Waitrose of Hexham that will house the Northumbria Larder mobile kitchen, you will be hard pushed to keep your stomach empty for long.

It is here that local BBC MasterChef finalist David Hall; Journal columnist Bill Oldfield; Richard Sim of the Made in Northumberland food project; Tony Binks of the award-winning Barrasford Arms gastro-pub and Gareth Marks, fresh from hosting his three-month Tyne Tees TV show, A Taste of the North, and now of Newcastle’s Persian-influenced Flatbread Cafe, will cook up a storm using ingredients supplied by stallholders at a series of 30-minute food demonstrations throughout the action-packed day.

Also on hand will be lifelong food lover and TV’s Hairy Biker, Simon King from Prudhoe, in Northumberland, who, like the other chefs who have signed-up for the festival, will be giving his time for free in support of The Journal Taste North East England Campaign launched in January to encourage consumers, retailers and hoteliers and restaurateurs to buy local, use local and eat local for the good of the region’s health and economy.

Mr King, who has found fame as one-half of the BBC’s unconventional cookery duo, The Hairy Bikers, with long-time friend Dave Myers from Cumbria, is a keen advocate of North East produce. Earlier this year he and Mr Myers each championed quality produce on their own doorsteps in The Hairy Bikers Come Home – A Winter Special, the first time North East food had been promoted in its own show on national prime-time television.

Last night Mr King said: “I am impassioned about local food because I care. I just want to give people a hand. I think The Journal Taste North East England Food and Drink Festival in association with the National Trust is a great opportunity for everyone to get together and see what other producers are doing, see what is out there and really get a vibe going about the wonderful produce we have in this region.

“It is also a great opportunity to have a giggle. I’m very flattered that I have been asked to get involved and I look forward very much to meeting everybody, from stallholders to the public.

“I will be at the event for at least a couple of hours, so come along and meet me.

“I’ll sign whatever part of the body anyone wants to offer up. Just get along to Gibside and show your support for our local food and drink producers. If we don’t support them, they won’t be there.”

The day, which runs from 10.30am-3.30pm, will also feature a selection of craft people as well as face painting for children to run alongside the main event.

For many of the produce stallholders this will be the first time they have appeared at such an event. Scores of exhibitors will be making a rare public appearance, attracted to the Food and Drink Festival by The Journal’s Taste campaign and the involvement of the National Trust.

Journal Editor Brian Aitken said: “This event promises to be a spectacular day of gastronomic delights for everyone of all ages. We are cooking up lots of treats for stallholders and the public alike, and thanks to the line-up of producers, suppliers and chefs we have, we expect to attract visitors from far and wide.

“Our sole aim is to get The Journal’s buy local, use local, eat local campaign message out there and ensure we have a thriving North East food and drink industry we can be proud of going into the future. It is good for us and good for the local economy.

“We are indebted to the National Trust for teaming up with us and allowing us to hold this festival in such spectacular surroundings at Gibside.

“The National Trust in the North East has been an avid supporter of local food for many years, and The Journal looks forward to working with the Trust on future projects in support of our artisan food and drink producers.”

KIELDER ORGANIC MEATS WILL BE A STALL HOLDER AT THE EVENT.

Bytes with bites at village cafe

From the Hexham Courant Published on Mar 14 2008.
By GEMMA SOMERVILLE

A NEW North Tyne business looks set to catapult Bellingham into the 21st century.

IT Bites, owned by husband and wife team Jason and Helen Spiller, allows customers to combine checking their emails with grabbing a coffee at the premises on Lock Up Lane.

The Internet cafe, which opened for business in January, is home to two iMac computers with fast wireless broadband access as well as printing, photocopying, faxing and photo printing facilities for the village.

But there’s more than just the latest technology to tempt people through the door. For the cafe offers home-made sandwiches, cakes and scones, using local produce where available as well as stocking a range of Fairtrade produce.

A 43-inch television with the latest in gaming technology, including an Xbox and Nintendo 64, has also fuelled the creation of a successful after-school gaming club for youngsters in the village.

And for Jason, the new business provides an opportunity for him to combine his skills in catering and IT, while Helen works as a primary school teacher in Newcastle.

He said: “My wife Helen and I relocated to Bellingham exactly one year ago from Lancaster.

“I’m from South Shields originally and studied at Lancaster University for a BSc in digital imaging which I completed in 1999.

“I’ve worked in catering on and off since I was 18, and IT since I graduated.

“I also teach IT to adults part time at Bellingham Middle School and Queen Elizabeth in Hexham. So I really am able to combine the two things I enjoy doing.”

Based in premises which have long been renowned as a popular eating and meeting place in the village, the cafe is also licensed and the couple intend to sell speciality beers and spirits for consumption on and off the premises.

With many of the ingredients needed for the menu sourced from the Tyne Valley, including meat supplied by Kielder Organic Meats at Dunterley Farm, Jason favours the use of organic and free range products.

“We try to source as much of our produce as locally as we can and also only use organic or free range meat and dairy,” Jason explained.

“We also use Fairtrade produce in our cooking and where possible we only use imported produce from a Fairtrade source. We also sell a range of Fairtrade produce from Traidcraft.

“It’s also our intention, at a later date, to sell a range of goods produced in Northumberland, including preserves, cheese and charcuterie.”

ROYAL MUTTON CAMPAIGN HELPS PRESERVE BRITAIN’S RURAL LANDSCAPES
21st January 2008

His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales will visit a North Yorkshire sheep farm tomorrow (Tuesday January 22) as part of his support for the Mutton Renaissance Campaign.

The Prince will visit Grange Farm, near Pickering, which is farmed by Tim Wilson, who also owns a chain of butchers’ shops.

In addition to sheep, Mr Wilson also rears pigs and cattle on his farm. During the day, guests will hear about the challenges facing livestock farmers and discuss continued consumer demand coupled with falling returns for producers. They will also consider the best ways to achieve strength for the livestock sector and through this, develop sustainability for farming communities and deliver greater protection for the countryside.

The Mutton Renaissance Campaign is a personal initiative of The Prince’s, launched in 2004 to get mutton back onto the nation’s dinner plates and create a new market opportunity for farmers.

Since then, the campaign has achieved considerable success with over 400 businesses having registered their involvement and 250 of these having elected to appear on the initiative’s website. Many of these are small farms from upland areas that sell their mutton direct from the farm. Others include leading restaurants where chefs such as Brian Turner, Mark Hix, John Williams and Jeremy Lee celebrate the meat’s taste credentials.

The vital role that sheep play in grazing British hillsides, and the habitat management that this delivers, is a key theme of the campaign. Generations of farmers and their flocks have sculpted upland Britain and a growing market for mutton will help ensure the future of the moors and fells, which are cherished by millions of people in this country.

John Thorley, chairman of the Mutton Renaissance Club, said: “A sustainable market for quality mutton is emerging giving sheep farmers more reasons to keep their animals grazing on the hills. By doing this, the sheep perform many hidden roles. This includes the upkeep of rural landscapes, keeping them open and accessible for visitors and discouraging the spread of dangerous parasites such as ticks.”

Welfare standards are also important in the production of Renaissance Mutton as farmer Tim Wilson explains: “Renaissance Mutton encourages a focus on quality and through this increased animal welfare, as we send well-finished ewes to local abattoirs in small batches. We then use the whole carcase, from primal joints for slow roasting or braising to all the minor cuts that we use in casseroles, pies and sausages.

“By finding a niche market for these ewes, the Mutton Renaissance campaign has increased the value of older stock to farms such as this. In 2003, my flock was half the size it is today and I knew that I could sell all of our older ewes through our own butchers shops - about 100 each year,” he said. “Today, with a much bigger flock, the growing interest in quality mutton means that I’ll sell 400 ewes this year.”

Well-known Yorkshire chef Brian Turner is the president of the Academy of Culinary Arts, one of the organisations at the heart of the Mutton Renaissance Campaign. He will lead a team of Academy chefs to create a mutton menu for The Prince at Grange Farm.

He said: “The best mutton is a meat with a distinct flavour but one that had been almost forgotten until HRH The Prince of Wales stepped in. His passion for farming and good food has encouraged chefs to reappraise mutton and what a treasure we are discovering.

“Its subtle gamey flavour is an ideal partner for winter root vegetables, long slow cooking and an equal match for spiced dishes from North Africa, the Middle East and the Caribbean. It’s also great in curries. I hope to see it more frequently on seasonal menus and also in butchers shops as demand increases from home cooks.”

A new report (see Notes to Editors) shows that the market for quality mutton can continue to achieve steady growth. Before the launch of the campaign, consumption of this type of mutton was considered to be minimal. In the report, released at the start of 2007, the market volume was estimated at 423 tonnes. A supplement to the report, newly published (January 2008), suggests that market volumes have risen by 21% to 511 tonnes.

Stretching from October 1, until the end of March, the season marks the period when Renaissance Mutton is at its best after enjoying a diet of summer grasses and heather and an extended maturation period.

The Mutton Renaissance Campaign is co-ordinated by the National Sheep Association and the Academy of Culinary Arts and is funded by the English Beef & Lamb Executive and Hybu Cig Cymru / Meat Promotion Wales.

ENDS

For further editorial information, interviews, photography or recipes contact:
Matt Exley, Carole Baldwin or Menna Davies at Kabassa Marketing Communications
T: 0117 924 4300 E: matt@kabassa.co.uk / carole@kabassa.co.uk / menna.davies@hotmail.com

No room at market for top meat farmer

From the Journal, Published on Nov 12 2007.
By Liz Hands, The Journal.

ONE of the region’s top organic farmers cannot get a stall on a farmers’ market in Newcastle – because there are too many people selling meat.

Colin and Michelle Anderson, who run Kielder Organic Meats at Dunterley Farm, Bellingham, Northumberland, have been farming for nearly 20 years but moved into organic production five years ago.

Since then they have featured in an episode of Gary Rhodes’s Local Food Heroes, where they battled it out with the other five nominees to be named the North-East’s top meat producer.

The family also received a royal visit last November, when Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall had a tour of their farm.

But when thecouple applied to sell their produce at the monthly Newcastle farmers’ market, they were told that no pitches were available.

Mrs Anderson said: “My husband and I have been farming for more than 20 years, but we only set up Kielder Organic Meats some 15 months ago.

“Since then we’ve gone from strength to strength.

“But getting our produce out to the public who demand it has been difficult at times.

“We have a shop at the farm, and we trade on Tuesdays and Saturdays in Hexham on a patch owned by Tynedale Council, but we also wanted to be able to sell our meat at the various specialist farmers’ markets that take place across the North-East.”

The family – who breed cattle, sheep and pigs on their 1,600-acre land – began organic farming five years ago and say this is another reason why there should be space made available for them in Newcastle.

Mrs Anderson said: “Organic food is in high demand.

“People are screaming out for it, so you’d think securing a pitch at a market for local goods would be pretty simple.

“I know there are quite a few meat sellers at the market in Newcastle, but only one of them offers organic produce. He regularly runs out because demand is so high, so there’s surely room for another seller.”

A Newcastle City Council spokesman said: “We have a responsibility to provide a variety of choice at the farmers’ market and already have seven or eight meat producers among the 24 stalls. Therefore, our customers are very well catered for.

“We have regular, loyal traders who have built up a loyal following and comply fully with our farmers’ market regulations.

“We are currently oversubscribed, but there is an opportunity to apply for a place every six months.”

The Newcastle farmers’ markets take place on the first Friday of each month, with a range of stalls representing the local agricultural industry.

Organic Food is Healthier - Study

From The Guardian. Published on 29/10/2007

By IAN SAMPLE, Science Correspondent

Some organic foods, including fruit, vegetables and milk, may be more nutritious than non-organic produce, according to an investigation by British scientists.

Early results from a £12m study showed that organic fruit and vegetables contained up to 40% more antioxidants than non-organic varieties, according to Professor Carlo Leifert at Newcastle University, who leads the EU-funded Quality Low Input Food project.

Larger differences were found in milk, with organic varieties containing more than 60% more antioxidants and healthy fatty acids, he said.

Antioxidant-rich food is often promoted as healthier because in lab tests the compounds neutralise free radicals that are thought to contribute to ageing.

The findings contradict advice from the Food Standards Agency, which maintains there is no scientific evidence to suggest organic food is healthier.

During the four-year project, Prof Leifert's team, which is based at the university's Tesco centre for organic agriculture, reared cattle and grew fruit and vegetables on adjacent organic and non-organic sites across Europe, including a 725-acre farm attached to the university. The full results of the study will be released in full over the next 12 months.

"What we're really interested in is finding out why there is so much variability ... What in the agricultural system gives a higher nutritional content and less of the baddies in the food?" Prof Leifert said.

Pulling wool over their eyes

From The Hexham Courant, Hexham, Northumberland. Published on 24/08/2007

By REBECCA DIXON

rebecca.dixon@hexham-courant.co.uk

DESPITE dreary conditions and the current ban on livestock movement, people turned out in force to show their support for Falstone Show.

The comedy sheepdog trials were a big hit and the imagination that had gone into creating replica sheep was marvellous to see.

Everyone had interpreted the competition in a different way and there were sheep made from balloons, polystyrene, chicken wire and woolly jumpers.

Helen Brown, whose uncle came up with the idea, said: “Everyone only had a week to get these made and they are brilliant.”

The bark of dogs was the only animal sound this year and although fewer in number than usual, a fine selection was turned out by their proud owners.

The puppies were an adorable sight, especially one tiny sheepdog being walked by its toddler mistress.

The hounds were probably the largest category and their majestic strides were watched with admiration by the onlookers.

The overall sheepdog champion was Ben, born and bred on the farm by Isobel Wallace from Bridgeford at Bellingham. She said: “I’ve been coming here since 1989 and last year I won with a sheepdog bitch.”

Isobel also had great success in the industrial tent with her prize cakes and jams.

Those wishing to shelter from the rain during the day had the delights of the catering tent with its inviting smell of sizzling meat provided by Kielder Organic Meats. The pure beef burgers were selling fast, although Michelle Anderson, who was running the stall, said: “It is quieter than last year but we expected that.”

Despite it not being the warmest day of the year, the ice cream van did a good trade – after it eventually managed to get across the field with the help of a tractor.

The beer tent also proved a popular hideaway, especially for older teens who had ventured out for the show. Some of them sported vibrant furry top hats, won on the hook-a-pikachu stand.

For the really young there was the usual selection of sports day races including sprints and egg and spoon races.

It was heartwarming to see how many families came along to cheer the children, who eagerly raced for the sweetie box almost as quickly as they had raced to cross the line!

The triumph of one little girl, six year old Sally Dagg, from Hott Farm, was not limited to the sports field, as she also came first in the under six handwriting competition.

The children’s efforts on the day must be applauded, with a super selection of paintings, photographs and baked goods on display in the industrial tent.

There were some ingenious vegetable dogs in the children’s section and an array of beautiful floral arrangements from the adult entries.

A fine selection of walking sticks was on display and the stand holders said: “We had 68 sticks last year and 93 this year. The competition is tremendous and the sticks are of real quality.”

Mr D. Simpson, of Jedburgh, swept the board winning seven first prizes and the Stick Dressers’ Cup.

For those desperate to spend their money the craft tent offered a range of beautiful hand-made goods. And the tasting stand of spirits and liqueurs proved popular.

Later in the afternoon, the fell racers began crossing the line. Several competitors had come to the show specially for the race and not even thigh-high nettles could put them off.

First place went to Will Horsley after Martin Frost, who crossed the finish line first, had unknowingly mis-run the route.

Will (28), who runs with the Northumberland Fell Runners, said: “I came up here specially for the race because I like to support the local fell races, and a few of our club members have shown up today.”

Although many expected the show to be a bit of damp squib this year, it managed to go off well and everyone seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves.

Top gun Emma on target

From The Hexham Courant, Hexham, Northumberland. Published on 03/08/2007

IT was ladies’ day at Tarset Clay Shooting Club on Saturday – and the ladies proved they are certainly no slouches when it comes to shotguns.

For hot-shot Emma Robsion, from Allenheads, missed only one of the 40 clays which came her way at the Reivers of Tarset shooting ground at the Comb, Tarset.

It’s Emma’s fourth big win in a row, making her one to keep an eye on.

Runner-up in the competition was Lynda Saint, of Bellingham, with Cheryl Anderson third.

The junior prize went to Cassie Milligan.

Sponsors of the day included Bellingham Chemists, Bellingham Country Store, Kielder Organic Meats, Riverdale Hall Hotel, Hugh Thompson the butcher, and the Hollybush Inn at Greenhaugh.

From The Hexham Courant, Hexham, Northumberland. Published on 17/08/2007.

Business as usual for farm shops

Published on By WILL GREEN

DESPITE initial shortages, Tynedale’s farm shops are reporting business as usual following the easing of the foot-and-mouth animal transport restrictions last Thursday.

Colin and Michelle Anderson from Dunterley Farm, Bellingham, started Kielder Organic Meats and opened a farm shop to sell their own beef, pork and lamb in 2006.

Despite an initial flurry of panic buying, by people from as far away as Newcastle, things have quickly returned to normal.

Mrs Anderson said: “The restrictions did have an impact on us last week, we had near panic buying. It was the busiest week we’ve had; it was incredible.

“People were coming from all over to buy meat, it was like there was a war on or people were expecting a meat shortage.”

However, things have now calmed down and it is business as usual at the shop since the lifting of the restrictions on transporting animals for slaughter last Thursday.

“With the lifting of the restrictions last week, we managed to get three cattle, 15 lambs and seven pigs away on Monday, so we are open as usual,” added Mrs Anderson.

Having run North Acomb Farm Shop at Stocksfield for more than 25 years, for Robin and Caroline Baty it is also business as usual, despite an initial shortage of lamb after the first outbreak.

Mr Batey explained: “It is business as normal, although I think everyone has their fingers crossed that the Government can keep the outbreak contained down south.

“We had a delay of about three days before the restrictions were lifted when we were running short of lamb, we weren’t out but we did come close.

From The Hexham Courant, Hexham, Northumberland. Published on 27/07/2007.

Farm's place in TV Final

by Will Green

A NORTH Tyne farm has got through to the regional finals of the UKTV Food Heroes competition.

Kielder Organic Meats at Dunterley Farm, Bellingham, will face four other regional food producers and retails to win a place in the national finals in November, where £40,000 will be up for grabs.

On Monday, celebrity chef Brian Turner was at Dunterley Farm to try out some organic beef, prepared by Michelle Anderson, who runs Kielder Organic Meats with her husband, Colin.

Mrs Anderson said: “On Monday we had Brian Turner here and we gave him a topside of beef, which he really enjoyed. We’ve only been going for 18 months and it’s incredible how much we’ve achieved.”

The other regional finalists are Meltons Too, of York, the Feathers Inn, at Hedley-on-the-Hill, Pepperfield Farm, Darlington, and Farmaround, of Richmond.

From The Jounal, Newcastle. Published on 08/01/2007

Miliband angers organic farmers

Organic farmers in the North hit back yesterday at environment minister David Miliband, after he claimed their produce was no better than mass-produced food.
The South Shields MP and Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs described organic produce as "a lifestyle choice". And he also said that food grown with the use of pesticides and other chemicals should not be seen as second-best.

Asked about the benefits claimed for organic food, Mr Miliband said yesterday: "It's a lifestyle choice that people can make. There isn't any conclusive evidence either way. It's only 4% of total farm produce, not 40%, and I would not want to say that 96% of our farm produce is inferior because it's not organic."

But his views have outraged some of the region's most respected producers.
Bellingham farmer Colin Anderson, who raises organic livestock, is now challenging Mr Miliband to visit him and experience the difference for himself.

In November he hosted a Royal Visit at Dunterley Farm, where he was highly praised by Prince Charles for his efforts.

And speaking last night, Mr Anderson said: "We challenge David Miliband to come to our farm - he can see what we do and actually taste what we produce.

"Organic farming reduces exposure to chemicals used in sprays and fertilisers, some which have been linked to asthma and even cancer. Our animals are reared humanely, allowed to forage in natural pastures and no chemicals, pesticides or GM are used. Customers tell us they really can taste the difference.

"We don't want to put other farmers down - the British farmer does a cracking job - but we are proud of what we do and what we produce. I can't understand where the man is coming from."

Ian Sutherland, whose family has run a small organic farm at Rock Midstead near Alnwick for the last 40 years, accused Mr Miliband of "huge generalisation" on green produce.
He said: "It's very unfortunate that he has come out with this. He's missing the point in a very big way. The real difference with organic farming is the way things are produced. It's a lot more environmentally friendly, also in terms of animal welfare and for wildlife.

"In some sectors there is also a huge improvement in the quality of produce, especially organic poultry and pork, eggs and milk.

"The minister is making a huge generalisation, which is very unfortunate."

NFU county chairman for Northumberland, Ponteland organic farmer Carron Craighead, said: "It's not a lifestyle choice, its a health choice.

"Many people who are suffering from serious illness are advised by their doctors to switch to organic because of the absence of residual chemicals.

From Northumberland National Park News. Published on 13/11/2006

HRH The Prince of Wales Visits Northumberland National Park

Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall visited Northumberland National Park on the 9th of November 2006 with Business in the Community. The theme of the visit was sustainability in rural life - Their Royal Highnesses visited a successful organic farm diversification project at Kielder Organic Meats, met local residents to view some community arts and history projects and discussed with farmers the future for hill farming and the rural economy at The Hollybush Inn in Greenhaugh. Their Royal Highnesses also met qualifying trainees from Northumberland National Park's Traditional Boundaries, Training Skills Programme.

From The Journal, Newcastle. Published on 10/11/2006.

Royal couple get beastly surprise

Nov 10 2006

By Hayley Beattie and Robert Brooks, The Journal


Holly Bush Inn landlord Tim Morris has some sound advice on pulling a pint for the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall

Prize cattle, artists and farmers from Northumberland greeted Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall on their final day of their visit to the North-East.

The Royal couple arrived at their first engagement at Dunterly Farm, near Bellingham, by helicopter to the delight of schoolchildren who had gathered to wave flags and banners.

They were given a personal tour of the farm, the home of Kielder Organic Meats, by owners Colin and Michelle Anderson. Colin said: "Prince Charles is clearly very knowledgeable about issues faced by farmers, and he obviously cares a great deal.

"He's been very active in offering his support and bringing people together for the future."

It was then time to head to the pub where Prince Charles pulled a pint of beer which his wife declared was "more froth than beer".

The Royal couple were visiting one of England's most remote pubs in the village of Greenhaugh, near Bellingham.

The Holly Bush Inn serves the largest parish in the country and as well as selling a range of beers, provides a base for local community groups and is used for computer classes.

Prince Charles pulled a pint off Nels Best Ale, and said: "It is very good."

The beer is brewed in Matfen by Steve and Sally Urwin, who started High House Farm Brewery in 2003 when the couple decided to diversify after foot-and-mouth hit the region.

Mrs Urwin said: "I thought Prince Charles did a great job pulling the pint and he congratulated us on successfully diversifying."

The Prince then met with local farmers who told him of the challenges of hill farming, while his wife chatted with local artists. Landlord of the 17th Century drovers' inn, Tim Morris, said: "I suspect this is something like his ideal community pub, it doesn't have piped music, it doesn't have slot machines and there is no TV."

Their final visit of their two-day tour was to unveil a plaque to mark the official reopening of a community building in Rothbury.

Local people raised over £500,000 to completely renovate the Victorian Jubilee Institute, which was originally opened in 1887.

Charles and Camilla were taken on a tour of the building and met many of the local people involved in community groups and enjoyed tea and cakes and a quick chat with members of the RAF Association.

The Prince of Wales told guests: "I think it is a remarkable achievement, if I may say so, that you have all managed to bring this marvellous hall back to life.

"I do congratulate all those involved for the huge effort you have all made.

"I can see the Jubilee Institute is a very important centre of community life for the people of Rothbury and Coquetdale."

Kielder Organic Meats PRESS RELEASE: 9th November 2006. For Immediate Publication.

Charles and Camilla Meet Charles and Camilla

Prince Charles and The Duchess of Cornwall visited Kielder Organic Meats today and were introduced to their namesakes – two organic Aberdeen Angus cattle named after the Royal couple on the occasion of their wedding in 2005.

---BEGINS---

The Royal couple were given a tour of parts of Dunterley Farm and its Farmshop then took tea and sampled some of the farms organic meats, which included the Princes’ favourite – organic mutton, in the farmhouse kitchen

Colin and Michelle Anderson have been changing to be fully organic over the last eight years. The organic process is now complete with full Soil Association approval. Since becoming fully organic Dunterley has been a runaway success.

This is already their second meeting with the Royal Family. Earlier in the year they were invited with their daughter, Tracy, to a garden party at Buckingham Palace and were specially selected to meet with Prince Philip and Prince Edward and had a lengthy conversation with them about the way they farm.

Dunterley’s Farm Shop is situated in the farmyard, selling the farm’s own organic lamb, beef, pork and eggs alongside locally grown vegetables and local produce. Works on a bakery and coffee shop on the farm will start in 2007. Visitors will be able to see a working farm in operation as they sip coffee and buy their produce. Colin and Michelle are great believers in letting their customers see how all the food is produced and always happy to let people have a trip around the farm.

Jamie Oliver has been a huge influence on the couple who are now organising school visits to the farm to enable urban children to see just where healthy food comes from. A plan to send food to the urban schools, for the pupils to cook and serve to their teachers and parents, is underway. As Colin and Michelle say “We are happy to invest in these kids as we see them as our future customers”.

As Colin and Michelle tend to the livestock they have observed that they are also helping to protect wildlife habitats - now they see twice as many song birds, curlews, lapwings and grouse sharing the pastures with their stock. They feed the animals food grown on their own land, peas barley and oats - all completely natural.

---ENDS---

---NOTES FOR EDITORS---

Kielder Organic Meats is owned and operated by Colin and Michelle Anderson, their farm, Dunterley, is situated at Dunterley, Bellingham, Northumberland, nestling in the North Tyne Valley where the livestock grazes around the very picturesque Kielder Water and on the banks of the Tyne. Kielder was named as one of the least polluted areas in the country by Country Life Magazine, which assessed the impact of air, noise and light pollution.
http://www.kielderorganicmeats.co.uk

From the Hexham Courant. Published on 03/11/2006.

Charles and Camilla to visit North Tyne

THE Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall are to visit the North Tyne next week.

The Royal couple are going to Dunterley Farm at Bellingham, and then dropping in at the Hollybush Inn at nearby Greenhaugh on Thursday.

Dunterley is the home of one of the district’s fastest growing businesses, Kielder Organic Meats, established by Colin and Michelle Anderson.

Prince Charles is well known for his interest in organic farming.

The Andersons met the Duke of Edinburgh and Prince Edward at a royal garden party earlier this year, and the visit was arranged after that.

Kielder Organic Meats PRESS RELEASE: 25th October 2006.

Royal Visit for Kielder Organic Meats

Buckingham Palace today confirmed that Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall are to visit Dunterly Farm, the home of Kielder Organic Meats and the pioneering Anderson family.

The Royal couple will be given a personal guided tour of the farm by Colin and Michelle Anderson and will then be taking tea with them in their farmhouse kitchen.

Colin and Michelle Anderson have been changing to be fully organic over the last eight years. The organic process is now complete with full Soil Association approval. Since becoming fully organic Dunterly has been a runaway success.

This is already their second meeting with the Royal Family. Earlier in the year they were invited with their daughter, Tracy, to a garden party at Buckingham Palace and were specially selected to meet with Prince Philip and Prince Edward and had a lengthy conversation with them about the way they farm.

Dunterley Success Story
Dunterly has its own Farm Shop, situated in the farmyard, selling the farm’s own organic lamb, beef, pork and eggs alongside locally grown vegetables and local produce. Works on a bakery and coffee shop on the farm will start in 2007. Visitors will be able to see a working farm in operation as they sip coffee and buy their produce. Colin and Michelle are great believers in letting their customers see how all the food is produced and always happy to let people have a trip around the farm.

Jamie Oliver has been a huge influence on the couple who are now organising school visits to the farm to enable urban children to see just where healthy food comes from. A plan to send food to the urban schools, for the pupils to cook and serve to their teachers and parents, is underway. As Colin and Michelle say “We are happy to invest in these kids as we see them as our future customers”.

As Colin and Michelle tend to the livestock they have observed that they are also helping to protect wildlife habitats - now they see twice as many song birds, curlews, lapwings and grouse sharing the pastures with their stock. They feed the animals food grown on their own land, peas barley and oats - all completely natural. ENDS.

Photographs available from Kielder Organic Meats on request. Contacts>

From the Hexham Courant. Published on 04/08/2006.

Organic farm scoops restaurant contract

A NORTH Tyne farm business has won a contract to supply organic beef and lamb to two North East restaurants.

Kielder Organic Meats at Dunterley Farm, Bellingham, has been selected as the new main supplier of organic meats to Oldfields Restaurants.

Colin and Michelle Anderson have spent the last eight years transforming the 600-acre hill farm into a certified fully organic farm, and will now supply organic lamb and beef direct to the Oldfields restaurants in Durham and Jesmond, Newcastle.

Oldfields’ chef director, Mike Jameson, explained: “Serving organic food in our restaurants benefits our customers in a multitude of ways.

“First of all, the food is a lot healthier. It generally contains higher levels of vitamin C, magnesium, iron and chromium and is higher in antioxidants.

“But the main thing for us is the difference in taste – it tastes fantastic.”

The ribbon was officially cut at Kielder Organic Meats by Hexham MP Peter Atkinson in May, for the business which has hens, rare breed pigs, Galloway and Aberdeen Angus cattle, and 1,000 sheep.

At the announcement of their new contract with Oldfields, Michelle said: “The main reason our farm is organic is because we’re passionate that there is less stress for our animals. We don’t push them to grow; we leave them to grow slowly and naturally until they are mature in their own time.

“That way the meat is sweeter and it is kinder to the animal. Everything is done in the most humane way possible.”

The couple were recently invited down to a garden party at Buckingham Palace in recognition of their farming methods. At the event they met Prince Philip and Prince Edward, and had a lengthy conversation with them about the way they farm.

From Farming UK. Published on 27/07/2006.

Kielder Organic meats to supply restaurant chain

A Kielder Organics Meats, a farm recently invited to an exclusive Garden
Party at Buckingham Palace in recognition for its admirable farming
methods, has been announced as the new main supplier of Oldfields
Restaurants.

Colin and Michelle Anderson, owners of Kielder Organic Meats were even
specially selected to meet with both Prince Philip and Prince Edward and
had a lengthy conversation with them about the way they farm. Colin and
Michelle have spent the last eight years transforming the 600 acre large hill
farm into a certified fully organic farm and will now supply organic lamb and
beef direct to Oldfields Restaurants in Durham and Jesmond.

The organic process means that no chemicals are used, the soil is certified
organic, nothing is genetically modified, and absolutely nothing pollutes the
land or the feed. "Serving organic food in our restaurants benefits our
customers in a multitude of ways. First of all, the food is a lot healthier -
organic food means there is no exposure to cancer causing pesticides or
poisonous chemicals. It generally contains higher levels of vitamin C,
magnesium, iron and chromium and is higher in antioxidants, nature's
anticancer agents," commented Mike Jameson, Chef Director. "But the
main thing for us is the difference in taste - it tastes fantastic!" he added.

Conventional farming tends to use around 400 pesticides on a regular
basis in the growing of its crops. Pesticides have been known to affect both
the nervous system and the hormone system. Organic farming bans the
use of pesticides making the food healthier. It's also kinder to the
environment as conventional farming uses more crude oil than any other
industry in the manufacture of pesticides and fertilisers.

For the owners of Kielder Organic Meats, the main benefit is the animal
welfare, which is taken very seriously indeed. Organic animals are reared
outdoors and are fed natural grasses. They aren't given routine antibiotics
or anything to fatten them up. "The main reason our farm is organic is
because we're passionate that there is less stress for our animals. We don't
push them to grow; we leave them to grow slowly and naturally until they
are mature in their own time. That way the meat is sweeter and it's kinder to
the animal. Everything is done in the most humane way possible,"
commented Michelle Anderson.

From NFU Online. Published on 12/06/2006

Farm Sunday is a sizzling success

With temperatures soaring this weekend, hundreds of families made for the countryside to enjoy a range of events organised as part of the first ever 'Farm Sunday'.

Activities on offer included everything from guided farm walks and tractor rides to farm demonstrations and barbeques.

The aim was to get as many people as possible out of the towns and onto a farm. Fun was very much the order of the day, but farmers were also keen to show people how food is produced and how they manage the fabulous landscape for which the region is famous.

In Northumberland, dozens of people visited Colin and Michelle Andreson, who farm at Dunterley Farm, Bellingham near Hexham. "They really enjoyed seeing our cattle, sheep and pigs," said Michelle, "and tucked into the barbeque we organised, complete with home produced organic beef and lamb.

"The feedback we got was that everyone enjoyed themselves and learned a bit about where their food comes from."

From Northumberland National Park. Published on 10/10/2005.

National Park Hosts Traditional Breed Hot Beef Tasting at Alwinton Show

Northumberland National Park Authority's Drovers Project hosted a Hot Roast Beef Tasting at the Alwinton Show this weekend, to celebrate the value of locally produced meat from traditional breeds of cattle.

The National Park's beef fest provided ten joints of Aberdeen Angus and Galloway meat for visitors to try. Catering was organised by a brand new business – Kielder Organic Meats – set up by Michelle and Colin Anderson of Dunterley Farm near Bellingham: Colin's mum, Hilda provided the culinary expertise. The tasting turned out to be a huge success with an equal number of the public favouring each of the breeds.

The Drovers' Project was set up to encourage grazing with traditional breeds of cattle on sites of nature conservation value, as well as to research and promote the history of cattle farming and droving in the National Park. After three grazing seasons the project team have been able to assess the results and provide recommendations to land managers about stocking levels and the value of traditional breeds on upland areas. Remarkable improvements in the quality of moorlands for wildlife have resulted from the project's work to date. The research results are soon to be published as a report.

A history of Droving in Northumberland National Park is also being published as a result of the project, and will be made available free of charge to libraries and local history groups throughout the County.

From NFU Online. Published on 12/06/2006

Farm Sunday is a sizzling success

With temperatures soaring this weekend, hundreds of families made for the countryside to enjoy a range of events organised as part of the first ever 'Farm Sunday'.

Activities on offer included everything from guided farm walks and tractor rides to farm demonstrations and barbeques.

The aim was to get as many people as possible out of the towns and onto a farm. Fun was very much the order of the day, but farmers were also keen to show people how food is produced and how they manage the fabulous landscape for which the region is famous.

In Northumberland, dozens of people visited Colin and Michelle Andreson, who farm at Dunterley Farm, Bellingham near Hexham. "They really enjoyed seeing our cattle, sheep and pigs," said Michelle, "and tucked into the barbeque we organised, complete with home produced organic beef and lamb.

"The feedback we got was that everyone enjoyed themselves and learned a bit about where their food comes from."

From The Journal, Newcastle. Published on 31/7/2006

Organic Choice puts animal welfare first.

Kielder Organic Meats, a farm recently invited to an exclusive Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in recognition for its admirable farming methods, has been announced as the new main supplier of Oldfields Restaurants.

Colin and Michelle Anderson, owners of Kielder Organic Meats, were even specially selected to meet Prince Philip and Prince Edward and had a lengthy conversation with them about the way they farm.

The couple have spent the last four years transforming the 1,600-acre large hill-farm into a certified fully-organic farm and will now supply organic lamb and beef direct to Oldfields Restaurants in Durham and Jesmond.

The organic process means no chemicals are used, the soil is certified organic, nothing is genetically modified, and nothing pollutes the land or feed.

Oldfields Campaign for Real Food promotes the use of organic and local produce. Said chef director Mike Jameson: "Serving organic food in our restaurants benefits our customers in a multitude of ways.

"The food is a lot healthier: organic food means no exposure to cancer-causing pesticides or poisonous chemicals. It generally contains higher levels of vitamin C, magnesium, iron and chromium and is higher in antioxidants, nature's anti-cancer agents.

"But the main thing for us is the difference in taste."

Mrs Anderson said: "The main reason our farm is organic is because there is less stress for our animals.

"We leave them to grow slowly and naturally till they are mature in their own time. That way the meat is sweeter and it's kinder to the animal. Everything is done in the most humane way possible."

For information visit www.campaignforrealfood.co.uk. To source distributors for local produce, such as farm shops, email info@campaign forrealfood.co.uk.