Yorkshire food heroes

October - Ampleforth Abbey Orchard, 37 miles

Apples have been grown at Ampleforth for well over 100 years and monks still provide the workforce for what is England's most northern commercial orchard. The present orchard covers more than 2 hectares with some 2,000 trees and more than 40 varieties of apples.

The orchards at Ampleforth are situated between the many buildings that make up Ampleforth Abbey and College, and the Benedictine monastic community (now numbering 80 monks) have lived, prayed and worked in this picturesque valley for over 200 years.

Some of the apples are sold to visitors and others go to make juice and the increasingly popular Ampleforth Cider and Ampleforth Cider Brandy. Local people can also bring their own apples to the cider mill to be juiced.

For recipes using produce from our local suppliers, see the Food Heroes pages under Clocktower on www.ruddingpark.co.uk

September – Metcalfe Organic, 14 miles

Metcalfe Organic is a long established family business run by Stephen and Miriam Metcalfe. The farm has been growing organic produce for 18 years and current cropping consists of 135 acres of potatoes, 90 acres of carrots and a range of other vegetables on a further 50 acres. In 2004 an on farm dedicated organic packing and processing operation was established allowing the business to have more control over its own produce.

The farm now processes and packs for many different customers including The School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme (Dept of Health) where 250,000 pieces of carrot are supplied each week to schools across Yorkshire. At the peak of the season there are 20-25 employees, including ten full time staff.

August - Far Cappleside Farm, Rathmell

Adrian is the third generation of Proctors to farm the 260 acre Far Cappleside Farm. His grandfather started the dairy farm in the 1930s but the farming economic climate in 2001 forced Adrian to abandon farming in favour of traditional breeds of beef and lamb.

Adrian Proctor now rears organic Shorthorn, Hereford, Aberdeen Angus Cattle and Polled Dorset and Lleyn Sheep. By adopting an organic approach to farming Adrian does not use hormones, pesticides or chemical fertilisers and therefore the meat he produces tastes delicious and is of the highest quality.

Whilst his favourite cut of beef is a medium cooked rib-eye, he is equally as partial to a good piece of braising steak.

July – Spilmans berries - 24 miles

Richard Spilman has been growing strawberries at Church Farm, Sessay since 1970, starting with 2 acres, and gradually increasing to the present 12 acres. Alongside this there are 3 acres of raspberries, as well as blackcurrants, redcurrants, gooseberries and plums.

All the fruit is grown in a traditional manner, without soil sterilization, and open to the elements. Last year, this posed huge problems with the fruit being picked in the wettest summer the Spilmans can remember. The tracks around the fields were only passable with a tractor and trailer, and wellies and waterproofs were the order of the day. Here's hoping for a drier summer this year!

Besides fruit, Richard and his family grow more conventional crops such as cereals, potatoes and fodder beet, as well as asparagus, a flock of 300 ewes and some beef cattle.

Forthcoming Food Heroes

October 2008: Apples - Ampleforth Abbey Orchard, 37 miles
November 2008: Game - Yorkshire Game Ltd, 38 miles
December 2008: Venison - Holme Farm Venison, 25 miles
January 2009: Cheese - Shepherd's Purse, 27 miles
February 2009: Rhubarb - Moss House Farm, 20 miles

New Autumn Menu

Head Chef, Jerome Gaudre and his team have been working hard on the new Autumn Menu which will start this month.

Golf and Dine

Play a round of golf on the new Repton Short Course followed by a two course meal from the Yorkshire menu at Clocktower for just £19.50 per person.

This offer is available every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday until the end of November. Reservations must be made in advance by calling 01423 872100.

OCTOBER'S FOOD HERO
Ampleforth Abbey Orchard

See the Food Hero tab for more information.