Shepherds Purse Cheeses first became involved in the Family Ties Business in 2010 when Andrea (our PR guru) entered our business for an award.  Unfortunately due to other commitments no one from the family could attend the ceremony but Andrea kindly offered to represent us.  On the night she collected the Red Ribbon Small Family Business of the Year Award.  On the back of this award Paul Andrews, Director of Family Business Place, asked if I would speak at the 2011 conference and of course I agreed!

The conference was held at The Royal College of Surgeons in Lincoln Inn Square, London.  A great venue although I though it would maybe be little daunting speaking in an amphitheatre setting to a large audience of family businesses!  However, the atmosphere was relaxed and friendly and this settled my nerves quite quickly.

Throughout the day there was a total of fourteen speakers split across four sessions with time in-between for coffee and networking.  It was a fascinating collection of speakers from companies such as Stevenson Brothers (Rocking Horse Makers), Rigby & Peller Corsetry (who hold a Royal Warrant) and Warburtons Family Bakers.  I spoke in the afternoon session about how I first established the company, the changes it has been through including the introduction of my children and where we are hopefully moving to in the future.  I really enjoyed myself!

The Red Ribbon Awards were announced around 4.30pm and the event was rounded off with drinks and another chance to chat with some fellow family business owners.  It was a wonderful day highlighting common values such as loyalty, trust and integrity which run through family business.  I will be booking my place for 2012!

Judy x

The 23^rd September was a very busy day for the Shepherds Purse Team and prior to it we had to toss a coin to decide who was going to be doing what…

There were 3 events, all on the same evening but at different locations in the UK, which we needed to attend.

1.  Yorkshire Post Taste Awards in York, where Bluemin White was shortlisted for the dairy category. Andrea Mackenzie (ABC Communications) was drafted in to attend this event and a blog on the event will follow shortly. I will only say that Bluemin White stole the show and was awarded Dairy Champion!

2.  A Cheese and Wine event in Yarm – only Judy was suitable for this event as she has such a discerning palate – Amy and I cannot match wines nearly as well as mum! Mums Blog will follow shortly detailing her evening.

3.  The British Cheese Awards Dinner in Cardiff – that only left Amy and Myself – we always get the long distance ones

So, Amy and I set off to Wales mid morning on the 23^rd September, intending to arrive in Cardiff by mid afternoon, which allowed us attend the trade afternoon at Cardiff Castle. This is for anyone who has a delicatessen, cheese shop or wholesales cheese and is definitely the place to be. The event showcases many specialist cheese makers and products – some fantastic new cheeses to be tasted and new cheese makers to meet – bliss! From Shepherds Purse’s view, it gave us the opportunity to catch up with our fellow cheese makers and catch up with some of our wholesalers and buyers. Cardiff Castle is a beautiful, historic location made even better by the wonderful weather!

From the trade afternoon Amy and I needed time to prepare for the Awards Dinner held at Cardiff City Hall (women’s prerogative)! We were advised prior to the event that 4 of our cheeses had been awarded Medals but had no idea which cheese had won what – the suspense…

After arriving at the City hall for a champagne reception, which settled our nerves in anticipation for the awards during the meal, we managed to grab a table with our good friends from Swaledale Cheese, Mandy and Sam as well the wonderful Rupert Holloway from London Cheeseboard. We all enjoyed lovely food and wine through the awards ceremony and despite no one on our table picking up a major award we found out that we had been awarded 3 silvers for Yorkshire Fettle, Monks Folly and Olde York and a bronze medal for Bluemin White. We were thrilled with the result.

The British Cheese Awards are really the Oscars for the cheese world. The judge’s only award medals to those products which are deemed worthy and from the 930 cheeses entered, only 30% were awarded a medal!

We are delighted for the whole team at Shepherds Purse for such a fantastic result. We are really proud to be flying the flag for Yorkshire produce and it’s great to get recognition from our industry colleagues.

The evening ended early for Amy and I– we heard that the after party continued on until the early hours at the Hilton but we had an early start on Saturday to Watch England  in the RWC!

Definitely worth the 4 ½ hour drive A fantastic weekend – roll on next year but it would be nice if it was a little closer to home!

Katie xx