Ragley win the Warwickshire Sizzle Off

Customers will be able to taste a new product officially crowned Warwickshire’s tastiest

speciality sausage for the first time this weekend (5^th Febraury).

Two Alcester businesses have come together to produce the award winning gourmet sausage which was awarded first place in the Speciality category at the Heart of England Fine Foods Warwickshire Sizzle Off.

Ragley Estate Meats have created the new ‘Hogans Happy Pork Sausage’ using RagleyRare Breed Pork, Apple, Apricot and cider from local producer Hogans.

Allen Hogan of Hogan’s cider said: “We are delighted that a Ragley Estate Meats sausage made with Hogan’s Cider has won Warwickshire’s Speciality Sausage of 2011 with this classic combination of pork and apple.  If you are discerning about your food, you’ll know Ragley Estate Meats and likewise, if you appreciate cider, you’ll know Hogan’s.  A case of two organisations passionate about what they do, combining excellent craftsmanship with superb ingredients, resulting in a winning formula.”

Vanda Cookes of Ragley Estate Meats and Allen Hogan from Hogan's Cider

Ragley Estate Meats also received a Highly Commended award for their ‘Chilli Beef Sizzler’, a spicy blend of Ragley Beef, Chillies and Pepper at the Sizzle Off which took place in Stratford last week.

Both of the new sausages will be available from Saturday 5^th February at Ragley Estate Meats counter at Hillers Farm Shop in Dunnington when customers will be able to sample the new flavours for themselves.

Vanda Cookes of Ragley Estate Meats, who came up with the recipe says; “We are really proud that we have created Warwickshire’s best speciality sausage and we hope that customers will enjoy sampling the new flavours we have created.”

More information on where to find the Farm Shop and links to the new Ragley Estate Meats

online shop can be found at www.ragleyestatemeats.com .

Jools Holland Concert Announced for 2nd July

The setting will be pure magic, the ambience spectacular….and the crowd will be jumping!

The piano maestro Jools Holland will be back on stage at Ragley Hall near Alcester on Saturday 2 July with his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra for a night of pure boogie-woogie. He will be joined by his 17-piece Orchestra and his special guests including Ruby Turner in a concert eagerly anticipated in the area.

Jools has previously appeared on stage at Ragley Hall in 2004 and 2006, both highly successful evenings; Keith Louch, event Director of IML Concerts, said, “It’s a real pleasure to bring Jools back to Ragley Hall for a night in the ambient setting of the Estate, with the Hall as a majestic backdrop and I am certain the audience will experience a tremendous show. It will be a picnic-style concert and we encourage the audience to bring their own chairs, rugs, cushions and picnics”.

Mr Louch added, “We have maintained special priced tickets for children under 16 at £15 with entry for the under 5’s absolutely free, no ticket required. Over the past 11 years of organising shows around the UK, we have found a growing number of children attending his concerts and hope that the reduced prices will encourage more families to join us.”

The Rhythm & Blues Orchestra has evolved from the initial seeds in 1985 when Jools and his drummer Gilson Lavis began touring as a duo, into a disciplined 18-piece band capable of selling out all year all over Britain and Europe – from Canterbury Cathedral and Kew Gardens to the Glastonbury Festival – and filling the Albert Hall each Christmas in what has become an annual ritual.

Now in its 35^th series and having completed over 250 shows, Later..With Jools has become one of the top-drawer television music programmes and has assisted many bands to higher profiles. Jools has also continued to present shows on BBC Radio 2.

So grab your tickets, your friends and create a group, bring a picnic to Ragley Hall and get ready to boogie-woogie with this accomplished all-round international artist, Mr Jools Holland.

Gates open at 5pm with the support artists on stage from 6.30pm. There’s even a grand firework finale to round off what promises to be a magical night out at one of the County’s most picturesque settings.

To book call IML Concerts on 01603 660444 or on-line at www.imlconcerts.co.uk.

Tickets are also available through the Warwick TIC on 01926 492212 and Shakespeare Country on 0870 160 7930

Advance tickets cost £35 with a discount for children ages 5-15 of just £15. Under 5 years are free with no ticket required.

Groups – book more than 10 adults at one time and get 10% discount – available only through IML Concerts Box Office.