Ragley Estate Meats shortlisted for HEFF Awards

Ragley Estate Meats is one of four food and drink producers from Warwickshire which have been announced as finalists in this year’s HEART of ENGLAND fine foods (HEFF) Diamond Awards.

This is the fourth annual Diamond Awards from HEFF, the food group for the heart of England, which celebrates the best of local food and drink from across Staffordshire, Shropshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Warwickshire and Birmingham and the Black Country.

Ragley Estate Meats have been shortlisted in the Prepared Foods category for their Ragley Faggots in Onion Gravy and are competing against other local companies with products including sausage rolls and beef bourguignon.

Producers have been shortlisted across the 10 product categories and in the Special Diamond Awards of GROW, INNOVATE and EXCEL along with this year’s new award, The Midcounties Co-operative Award for New Business.  The Special Diamond Awards recognise business achievement rather than a product.

More than 230 products were entered into this year’s awards in the 10 product categories of Bakery; Condiments and Preserves; Confectionery; Dairy; Desserts; Drinks; Fresh Produce; Meat, Poultry and Game; and Prepared Foods.

The winners will be revealed at the Diamond Awards Gala Dinner which will take place on Saturday 21 May 2011 at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole.  The winners of each product category will go head-to-head to win the highly coveted Special Diamond Award for TASTE which will be the final award to be presented on the night.

Crocuses Burst into Life

Garden lovers who are looking for a day out in the area over the coming weekends could plan a visit to the gardens of Ragley Hall in Alcester.

Spring is just around the corner and the grounds at Ragley have already come to life, with displays of Spring Bulbs bringing waves of colour.

The Bulb Bank has been blooming annually since 2007, when 200 000 crocus vernus were planted as a cascade down one side of the garden with strips of Blue (Crocus Remembrance) and Yellow (Crocus Mammoth).  The flowers complement the nearby Winter Garden which is now beginning to flourish after being planted in 2006/7.

Daffodils are also planted in large swathes around garden and are set to create an impressive display in the coming weeks as the warmer weather brings them out.

According to Head Gardener, Ross Barbour; “The crocus display creates colour during late winter and early spring and adds a real wow factor to the gardens.  This is the perfect time of year to get out and enjoy Ragley’s gardens. ”

Ragley’s gardens are open from 10am-5pm each Saturday and Sunday, with the Hall also open on Sundays from 12pm-4pm.  Admission is just £6.50 per person and also includes access to the Jerwood Sculpture Collection and Woodland Walk.  For more information visit www.ragleyhall.com or call 01789 762090.