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January 2012
LOCAL MEAT OF EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY AT DAYSDROVE
CHRISTMAS CARCASE SHOW
Locally sourced quality meat was in abundance at the Daysdrove abattoir in Bishops Castle when the company staged its Christmas 2011 carcase competition.
Butchers and stock suppliers from all over Shropshire and across the border into Wales visited the Love Lane site to see a strong showing of beef and lamb, judged by butchers Andrew Pugh (A.J. Pugh, Bishops Castle) and Will Williams (Aberystwyth). Prize money and rosettes were awarded across the classes by Bishops Castle Agricultural Show Society and engraved trophies for overall champions were donated by Craven Arms and District Quality Livestock Association.
Overall champion beef carcase went to a Limousin X heifer from Simon Bedell of Bishops Castle, whilst the overall winner of the sheep classes went to a pair of Texel X lambs from John Croxton of Purslow, Craven Arms. Berriew butcher Alan Davies bought the champion beast and lambs.
Daysdrove general manager David Palmer was delighted with the level of support for the company’s second annual carcase competition.
“We’ve again seen a superb display of stock, which is truly representative of the quality that we have seen from our suppliers all year,” he said. “I’d like to thank all of our suppliers and customers for continuing to support Daysdrove. We are at the heart of a very strong stock producing area in Bishops Castle and the demand from customers for this high quality locally sourced meat is growing all the time.”
Daysdrove Christmas Carcase Competition Results:
Beef steer
1st - E.M. Crowther & Sons, Upper Plains, Bishops Castle
2nd - Tom Jones & Sons, Glebe Farm, Lydham, Bishops Castle
Beef heifer
1st - Simon Bedell, The Linch House, Bishops Castle (Overall beef champion)
2nd - Simon Bedell, The Linch House, Bishops Castle
Young bull
1st - Tom Jones & Sons, Glebe Farm, Lydham, Bishops Castle
2nd - Martin Pope, Old Gritt Farm, Shelve, Minsterley
Lamb pair
1st - J H Croxton, Purslow Farm, Craven Arms (Overall lamb champion)
2nd - Phil Morgan, Bryncelyn, Welshpool
Peter (left) and David Jones of Tom Jones & Sons (Glebe Farm, Lydham)
Simon Bedell (left) of The Linch House, Bishops Castle, with Berriew butcher Alan Davies (who bought the champion heifer and champion lambs) and judge Will Williams of Aberystwyth
John Croxton (left) of Purslow, Craven Arms, with Berriew butcher Alan Davies.
December 2011
SHROPSHIRE HOTEL WINS GOLD IN NATIONAL GREEN TOURISM SCHEME
Supporting and promoting the best of local produce has helped the Longmynd Hotel of Church Stretton achieve the top standard in a prestigious national sustainable tourism scheme.
Announced this week, the Longmynd Hotel’s Gold Award in the UK-wide Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS) followed a comprehensive audit of business practices. Highlights of the hotel’s sustainable approach to tourism include good building management and use of a biomass boiler, plus a strong commitment to sourcing from local food and drink suppliers.
Commenting on the award, Longmynd Hotel proprietor Lee Chapman – who was acknowledged in the audit for being a committed and inspiring owner – thanked his team for their hard work and underlined a continuing commitment to working with other local businesses.
The Longmynd Hotel has been a member of the Green Business Tourism Scheme since 2008. The GTBS is the national sustainable tourism certification scheme for the UK and is now the only certification scheme validated by Visit Britain, through the International Centre for Responsible Tourism (ICRT).
Lee Chapman is pictured with the GBTS Gold Award with
Graham Garner of Daysdrove Butchers and Edward Wood of Woods Brewery,
representing two of the Longmynd Hotel’s local suppliers.
November 2011
DAYSDROVE MAKES SUSTAINABILITY PLEDGE
Daysdrove is now pleased to be a member of the Shropshire Hills Sustainable Business Scheme (see our details on their website - click here). The principles of this scheme are engrained into the primary business objectives of the company, as summarised in the Sustainability Pledge. See Shropshire Hills Sustainability Pledge PDF.
June 2011
WELSH CHAMPION TOMOS WINS GRAND SLAM BUTCHERY CONTEST
A young butcher from the Swansea area has beaten rivals from England, Scotland and Ireland to win an international Grand Slam butchery contest.
Welsh Young Butcher of Year winner for the past two years, Tomos Hopkin, from Ponty Butchers, Pontardawe, proved a cut above the rest in the first ever Grand Slam butchery contest at Shropshire County Show in Shrewsbury.
Just a single point separated each place following a keenly contested competition, with Hopkin holding off the challenge of runner up Gary Raeburn from Scotland, Shropshire champion Andrew Brassington and Marc Tierney from Northern Ireland. Hopkins collected £150, Raeburn, from Forbes Raeburn butchers shop, Huntley, Aberdeenshire, £75, Brassington, from Ludlow Food Centre, £50 and Tierney, from Clogher Valleys Meats, Clogher, Co Tyrone, £25.
The competition was organised and supported by award-winning Welshpool-based training provider Cambrian Training Company and sponsored by Daysdrove, who supplied locally sourced Shropshire Porkers and the British Pig Executive (BPEX). Judges were Nick Davies from WelshMeatOnline, Steve Vaughan from S. A. Vaughan Butchers, Penyffordd near Chester and Graham Garner, shop manager from Daysdrove, Church Stretton.
Mr Davies said the competition attracted a large crowd, which created a great atmosphere for the young butchers to demonstrate a high level of skills.
Brassington had earlier won the Shropshire Young Butcher of the Year contest at the show.
Mary Hopkins, Shropshire County Show's general manager, said she hoped to include both butchery competitions in next year's event because they were so successful.
"It was a real bonus to have the butchery competitions at the show," she said. "It was absolutely fascinating to watch these young men competing and I was in awe at what they achieved in the space of time available to them."
The show proved a good introduction to the county for Cambrian Training Company, which plans to deliver apprenticeships in Shropshire later this year.
Grand Slam competition butchers and judges (from left) judge Nick Davies, Gary Raeburn from Scotland, judge Steve Vaughan, Marc Tierney from Northern Ireland, Welsh champion Tomos Hopkin, judge Graham Garner and Shropshire Young Butcher of the Year Andrew Brassington.
April 2011
'Spring to attention' - click here to download an article from this month's Shropshire Magazine, talking about locally produced lamb and Daysdrove.
INDUSTRY RECOGNITION FOR SHROPSHIRE ABATTOIR MANAGER
David Palmer, general manager of south Shropshire’s Daysdrove abattoir, has been named Plant Manager of the Year at the national Meat and Poultry Industry Awards held recently in Birmingham.
Mr Palmer, who was appointed in September 2009 to refurbish, re-open and run the abattoir in Bishops Castle, overcame stiff opposition from across the meat processing industry to gain outstanding recognition for his achievements over the past 18 months.
“David has worked tirelessly to bring our once-redundant abattoir back to life and – in the process – has gained the respect and admiration of Daysdrove’s shareholders, directors, staff, stock suppliers and customers,” says Daysdrove director Matt Mellor. “He is a rare talent, in that he understands the meat industry from farm to plate, and he has been prepared to channel his experience and relentless energy into this vital local initiative. It is the best tribute of all that David’s outstanding efforts have been recognised at this highest of all levels.”
Since opening its doors for business in December 2009, the three-species Daysdrove abattoir has built a business based on local procurement that provides an essential service to local farmers, butchers, farm shops, restaurants and hotels. The company has also taken its first step into direct retail in recent weeks, taking over a traditional butcher’s shop in Church Stretton.
“Daysdrove has made great strides in a short space of time, achieving a reputation for quality and attaining standards such as Welsh PGI and organic status, but the project is really still very much in its infancy,” adds Matt Mellor. “We are working towards British Retail Consortium accreditation and are constantly looking for greater efficiencies that will ensure this business has long term sustainability. We aim to provide jobs, an alternative market for the area’s livestock farmers and a genuine source of high quality local meat for many years to come. David Palmer has been an essential part of our success to date and is now eager to help us take the project on to the next level.”
David Palmer, general manager of Bishops Castle’s Daysdrove abattoir, receives the Meat and Poultry Industry Plant Manager of the Year Award from Ed Beddington, left (editor of Meat Trade Journal) and Ken Mossford, right (managing director of category sponsor Reiser).
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March 2011
ALBRIGHT HUSSEY STEAK NIGHT CELEBRATES SHROPSHIRE FOOD
A series of local food celebration evenings will be launched at the Albright Hussey Manor Hotel on Friday 1st April with a great value steak night offering two courses and a drink for just £15 per person.
Prime Aberdeen Angus steaks, supplied by Cleobury Mortimer beef producer John Griffiths through Daysdrove of Bishops Castle, will be the highlight on a menu that will be based on quality Shropshire provenance. Real ales from the Salopian Brewery (Shrewsbury) and Mr Moyden’s handmade cheeses (Newport) will also be included on the night, creating a true festival of local food and drink.
Similar themed local food evenings will also be taking place on the first Fridays of May, June and July at The Albright Hussey Manor Hotel as one of Shropshire’s finest eating-out establishments reinforces its commitment to local food.
To reserve a place at any of the Albright Hussey Manor Hotel’s local food celebration evenings, call 01939 290571 or email info@albrighthussey.co.uk
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March 2011
NEW OWNERSHIP FOR CHURCH STRETTON BUTCHER’S SHOP PROMISES STRONGER COMMITMENT TO LOCAL SOURCING
New ownership of the highly regarded ‘Embreys’ butcher’s shop in Church Stretton will ensure a continuation of its renowned top quality produce and help build its reputation for local sourcing.
The take-over by Daysdrove, which re-opened Bishops Castle’s abattoir at the end of 2009 and has become a significant supplier of locally sourced meat across the county, promises stability for the shop’s six staff and its customers after a period of uncertainty.
“Daysdrove has been supplying the shop with top quality locally sourced meat over the past 15 months and it is a logical move for both businesses to come together,” says shop manager Graham Garner. “Daysdrove’s commitment to quality, traceability and local sourcing is very much in common with the long standing aims of this shop. I can reassure customers that it will be very much ‘business as usual’ but with a great opportunity for us to offer an even stronger commitment to low food miles and local provenance.”
Daysdrove acquired and re-opened the abattoir at Bishops Castle in December 2009 and has pursued a strategy of sourcing livestock from ‘within a day’s drove’ of its base. The company, owned by a group of private shareholders, provides a service to local farmers, butchers and farm shops and sells quality beef, lamb and pork through an increasing number of local outlets.
“This is an important progression as it will help us to build the Daysdrove brand directly with consumers,” adds the company’s commercial director Dan Morris, “but the move will not diminish our commitment to supplying the strong base of customers that we have established in the past year. Daysdrove is all about ensuring that locally produced meat ends up on local dining tables – whether in private homes or the many high quality pubs, restaurants and hotels in the area. Church Stretton is at the heart of our stock procurement area and is an ideal place for Daysdrove to trade directly from, but the shop will remain just one of many that we aim to continue supplying with locally sourced quality meat.”
The Church Stretton butcher’s shop, which is located on Easthope Road at the centre of the town, has been in transitory ownership since the break-up of the Embreys family business last year. Daysdrove, which had begun to work closely with Embreys, has continued to supply the shop in the interim period and has taken ownership from 14th March 2011.
Daysdrove, a limited company formed through the initiative of a group of local investors, remains an investment opportunity for anyone interested in taking a stake in a progressive Shropshire-based enterprise.
Familiar faces will provide essential continuity at the Church Stretton butcher’s shop now owned by Daysdrove of Bishops Castle. Pictured are (from left) James Lancashire, Rose Jones, shop manager Graham Garner, Glynn Lancashire and Christopher Mansfield.
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January 2011
EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY THROUGHOUT AT DAYSDROVE CHRISTMAS CARCASE SHOW
Locally sourced quality meat was in abundance at the Daysdrove abattoir in Bishops Castle this week (Sunday 5th December) when the company celebrated its first year in business by staging its inaugural Christmas carcase competition.
Butchers and stock suppliers from all over Shropshire and across the border into Wales flocked to see a strong showing of beef and lamb, judged respectively by local butchers Andrew Pugh (A.J. Pugh, Bishops Castle) and Andrew Francis (C.A. Francis, Ludlow). Prize money was awarded to first and second placed entries across the classes and for overall champions, courtesy of sponsorship from Bishops Castle Agricultural Show Society and Marches Meat.
Overall champion beef carcase went to a Charolais X heifer from MTJ Price of Yarbo, Presteigne, whilst the overall winner of the sheep classes went to a pair of Texel X lambs from Aiden Morgan of Knighton. The champion pair of lambs was auctioned for charity, with buyer Andrew Francis choosing Hope Houses to receive the £360 paid.
Daysdrove general manager David Palmer was delighted with the level of support for the company’s first carcase competition.
“We’ve seen a superb display of stock, which fully reflects the quality that we have seen from our suppliers all year,” he said. “I’d like to thank all of our suppliers and customers for supporting Daysdrove since we opened. We are at the heart of a very strong stock producing area in Bishops Castle and the demand from customers for this high quality locally sourced meat is growing all the time. We look forward to moving the business forward in 2011.”
Daysdrove Christmas Carcase Competition Results:
Continental steer
1st - Limousin X from RHJ Croxton & Sons, Kempton
2nd - Blonde D’Aquitaine X from DE Morgan, Forden
Continental heifer
1st - Charolais X from MTJ Price, Presteigne (Also overall beef champion)
2nd - Limousin X from S Bedell, Bishops Castle
Native beef breed
1st - Hereford X from JR & M Griffiths, Cleobury Mortimer
2nd - Hereford X from JR & M Griffiths, Cleobury Mortimer
Continental lamb pair
1st - Texel X from Aiden Morgan, Knighton (Also overall lamb champion)
2nd - Texel X from Tony Tortoriello, Knighton
Native lamb pair
1st - Ryland from H. Jones, Cefn Einion
2nd - Suffolk X from JR & M Griffiths, Cleobury Mortimer
Pictures and captions:
Daysdrove champion beef carcase
Bishops Castle butcher Andrew Pugh (left) presents the champion beef carcase trophy to Philip Price and his father Rhidwyn of Yarbo, Presteigne, with Daysdrove chairman Malcolm Corfield (right) looking on.
Daysdrove champion lamb
Daysdrove general manager David Palmer presents the champion lamb trophy to Luke Morgan and his father Aiden Morgan, Knighton.
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September 20th 2010
WELSH ACCREDITATION ADDS NEW DIMENSION FOR DAYSDROVE ABATTOIR
The Daysdrove abattoir at Bishops Castle, Shropshire, is now approved for the slaughter and processing of Welsh Beef and Welsh Lamb under the European Union’s Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) scheme.
This latest accreditation for the three-species Daysdrove abattoir, which also acquired organic status earlier in the year, is essential for farmers, butchers and food businesses seeking to market beef and lamb of Welsh provenance.
Daysdrove attained its Welsh PGI status following a recent visit by auditors from scheme administrators Hybu Cig Cymru - Meat Promotion Wales, who approved the Daysdrove facilities and administrative systems.
“This is a logical progression for Daysdrove given our proximity to the Welsh border and the fact that a sizeable proportion of our primary livestock procurement area – which is broadly a 25 mile radius of Bishops Castle – falls within Wales,” said Daysdrove’s commercial director Dan Morris. “We have a growing number of key customers in Wales and we are better able to service their requirements for Welsh Beef and Welsh Lamb now that we have our PGI status.”
The Daysdrove abattoir opened for business in December 2009 following closure of the site by its previous owners in 2007. The facility offers contract slaughter and butchery for cattle, sheep and pigs as well as supply of high quality and totally traceable meat sourced from farms in its locality.
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Note to editors
Welsh Lamb and Welsh Beef's unique heritage, character and reputation have been recognised by the European Commission (EC) and have been awarded the coveted status of Protected Geographical Indication (PGI).
This protected food name scheme was developed by the EC to encourage diverse agricultural production; protect product names from misuse and imitation, and to help consumers by giving them information concerning the specific character of the products. PGI is one of the protected designations within this scheme.
PGI provides consumer assurance that only lambs and cattle born and reared in Wales and slaughtered in an approved abattoir can be marketed as Welsh. The stock must also be fully traceable.
MEAT INDUSTRY VETERAN DAVID PALMER HAS TAKEN UP THE CHALLENGE OF BREATHING NEW LIFE INTO A SHROPSHIRE ABATTOIR...
Read more, courtesy of Meat Trades Journal (April 16, 2010)
COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR APPOINTED
Dan Morris has joined the board of Daysdrove and taken on the role of Commercial Director within the business, effective from the beginning of June. He will work initially in a part-time capacity (3 days/week) alongside General Manager David Palmer and have specific responsibility for developing high value new business and building key customer relationships.
Dan’s experience with Dawn Meats and more recently Welsh Country Foods (Vion) will be highly valuable as Daysdrove extends the scope of its business. His presence will also enable David Palmer more time to focus on key areas such as quality stock procurement, staff management and development, and improvement of operational efficiency.
March 9, 2010
SOUTH SHROPSHIRE ABATTOIR ACHIEVES ORGANIC STATUS
The Daysdrove abattoir at Bishops Castle, Shropshire, is now fully certified for the slaughter and processing of organically reared cattle, sheep and pigs to the standards required by one of the leading control bodies, Organic Farmers & Growers (OF&G).
An audit by OF&G in February ascertained that Daysdrove’s processes from reception through to slaughter met with the required rigorous criteria covering animal welfare, humane treatment and traceability. Standards applied by OF&G, which became the first government-approved organisation to inspect and licence organic food and farming in the early 1990s, are based on EU Organic Regulation.
Organic producers supplying Daysdrove are advised to check with the abattoir well in advance of their requirements, as specific days will be dedicated to the process and stock will usually be required early in the day.
December 2nd, 2009
RE-OPENING OF BISHOPS CASTLE ABATTOIR PROVIDES
TIMELY BOOST FOR FARMERS, BUTCHERS AND WIDER LOCAL ECONOMY
Daysdrove is now open for business, reinstating Bishops Castle's three species abattoir after more than two years of closure.
Livestock farmers, butchers and other local meat sector businesses in Shropshire and the Welsh borders have received a welcome boost with the re-opening of the abattoir in Bishops Castle.
New owner Daysdrove Holdings Limited, set up by over 60 local farmers and business people, has successfully refurbished and modernised the three-species facilities following the acquisition in the summer. The company has now gained the necessary approval to begin operations with immediate effect.
According to general manager David Palmer, the primary focus of the business will be the provision of high quality local meat for local people. This, he stresses, will be achieved by working alongside the area’s butchers and farm shops to provide the essential slaughter and butchering services needed to deliver local meat products.
“We are located in the heart of one of the best livestock producing regions in the country and are surrounded by farm shops, butchers, and restaurants striving to meet the demand for local meat,” he says. “The missing link is a local abattoir focused on providing services for local businesses, so we intend to fill the gap.
“The success of Daysdrove will be good news for this area as a whole, as we shall be providing an alternative outlet for livestock farmers, a vital service for local food businesses, and consumers will have far more opportunities to buy locally sourced meat.
“In time we hope that the Daysdrove brand will become familiar to everyone, and automatically associated with key criteria such as quality, local procurement, low food miles and high animal welfare standards.”
Based in Bishops Castle, just a few miles from the Welsh border, Daysdrove is the only three species abattoir in Shropshire. The company aims to operate on behalf of businesses offering both Shropshire and Welsh food provenance, and is also committed to achieving organic status at the earliest opportunity.
The re-opening of the Bishops Castle abattoir by Daysdrove has already created six full time jobs, with the number of permanent positions expected to increase over the coming months as the business develops. Key positions for the future will include office administration plus additional slaughter and butchery personnel.
Further information is available at www.daysdrove.co.uk and enquires can be made through the Daysdrove office by calling 01588 630726 or emailing office@daysdrove.co.uk.
September 9th 2009
KEY APPOINTMENT KEEPS ABATTOIR RE-OPENING ON SCHEDULE
David Palmer, the new general manager
of the Daysdrove abattoir at Bishops Castle.
Download HI-RES jpg
The appointment of a highly experienced general manager to run the recently acquired three-species abattoir at Bishops Castle maintains the momentum for an autumn re-opening reports new owner Daysdrove Holdings Limited.
David Palmer, a farmer’s son originally from the east Midlands with widespread livestock industry and meat trade experience, took the reins at the south Shropshire facility on 1st September. His previous roles have included large scale abattoir management, quality livestock procurement, and the development of several branded quality meat schemes for major supermarkets. He is an MLC-trained grader (live and deadweight) and has previous experience in farm assurance, animal welfare and food hygiene.
“David has proven practical and management ability throughout the abattoir process and most importantly has demonstrated real enthusiasm for this role,” said Daysdrove director Malcolm Corfield. “His focus in the coming weeks will be on the refurbishments required ahead of re-opening as well as recruitment of lairage, slaughtering and butchering staff.
“It has been our aim since the acquisition at the end of June to be in a position to re-open during the autumn and the prospect of achieving this has taken a very positive leap forward with this key appointment.
“Daysdrove will initially be focusing on contract slaughtering, butchering and meat maturation for farmers, butchers and other meat industry businesses in the locality. We are now urging potential customers to let us know of their autumn requirements by contacting David Palmer at the Love Lane site in Bishops Castle or by emailing us at office@daysdrove.co.uk."
Daysdrove Holdings Ltd is located on the Love Lane Industrial Estate, Bishops Castle, Shropshire and is the only three-species abattoir in the county. The business is aiming for organic certification and will pursue a business philosophy based on local procurement of high quality livestock. Daysdrove aims to work with local farmers, butchers and caterers to facilitate the development of high quality locally branded meat products, reducing food miles and raising animal welfare standards in the process.
Further information from: Malcolm Corfield
01588 650205 or 07721 346991
Issued by Matt Mellor, ABC Ltd
Tel: 01694 731777 Email:
The text from this news release can be downloaded directly from the Agriculture/Livestock and Food Chain/News sections of the ABC press centre at www.abccomms.co.uk
7 July 2009
SHROPSHIRE ABATTOIR CLOSER TO RE-OPENING FOLLOWING ACQUISITION
Re-opening of a south Shropshire abattoir has moved a significant step closer following the acquisition of Bishops Castle Meat by local investor group Daysdrove Holdings Limited.
The aim of the new Daysdrove business is to have management and staff in place in order to be operational during the autumn of this year, thereby ending a two year closure of the facility.
A process is now underway to appoint a general manager to oversee the establishment and development of what will be a very different business to the previous wholesale operation.
“Daysdrove will initially provide a service for farmers and butchers in the area requiring contract slaughtering of locally sourced cattle, sheep and pigs,” explains Daysdrove director Malcolm Corfield. “In time, the business will work with its customers to develop retail meat brands with local provenance, full traceability and highest quality as their defining characteristics.
“This is an opportunity to re-establish a much needed facility in the area. It will create a dozen or more new jobs, provide an alternative marketing outlet for local farmers and allow the region’s butchers, restaurants, farm shops and caterers to meet the demand from their customers for locally-sourced high quality meat products.
“We are so far grateful to over sixty private individuals or businesses who have taken the opportunity to invest in this project and are now shareholders in the new limited company. There is still an opportunity for new investors to come on board, and we are now actively seeking further support from anyone who would like to be involved in the project.”
The Daysdrove abattoir is located at Love Lane, Bishops Castle and is a three-species facility with the capacity to slaughter up to 300 livestock units per week. Close proximity to the Welsh border will allow the business to operate a local sourcing policy with relevance to stock of both Shropshire and Welsh provenance.
Further details and contact points in relation to the project can be found at www.daysdrove.co.uk or email office@daysdrove.co.uk to register your interest in a job, supplying the abattoir or using its services.
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