Christmas events announced for Croots Farm Shop in Derbyshire

Santa and Croots elves 

Derbyshire-based farm shop Croots has unveiled a Christmas cracker of events leading up to the festive period.

Throughout November and December, Croots Farm Shop near Duffield is set to host a number of festive events, kicking off on Thursday 9^th November with a Taste of Christmas Event. This will be the perfect chance to preview Croots new Christmas range with the opportunity to enjoy mulled wine and mince pies, and to sample the wares of local suppliers.

Singer Neil White will be providing entertainment by singing seasonal songs.

Running from 5.30pm to 8.00pm, the event is free to attend and visitors will be treated to 10% off their shopping.

Festivities continue throughout December with the Holly Jolly Breakfast or Tea with Santa – held on a range of dates. For just £13.50, children can spend time with elves, enjoy festive gingerbread making and a chance to meet Santa and receive a gift. Further details and dates are on the Croots website. Booking is essential and early booking is advised by calling 01332 843032.

Looking to once again bring festive cheer to the Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre, the farm shop will be stocking reindeer food in the run up to Christmas. All proceeds from the sale of the reindeer food will be donated to the charity, which has been supported by Croots Farm Shop for several years.

A Christmas hamper raffle will also be staged in aid of the charity, which was established in 1891 to provide Derbyshire children having troubles in their home lives with a holiday in Skegness, Lincolnshire. It currently provides 660 holiday places per season.

Croots, which is based at Farnah House Farm, Wirksworth Road, is open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm (Shires Eatery until 4.30pm) and from 10am to 4pm on Sundays. Croots runs Fresh Fish Thursdays between 9am and 1pm on Thursdays.

For more information, visit www.croots.co.uk Find Croots on Twitter @crootsfarm_shop or on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Croots-Farm-Shop

Press release issued by Nottingham based PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

World’s largest gathering of Shire horses returns to Staffordshire for third year

Photo courtesy of Carol Stevens.

The organisers of the world’s largest gathering of Shire horses have announced that the show will once again be staged in Staffordshire.

The 2018 National Shire Horse Show will be held at Staffordshire Showground from 16^th to 18^th March – and is expected to attract more than 250 pedigree Shire horses.

Organised by the Shire Horse Society, which will be celebrating its 140^th anniversary in 2018, the event is a great day out for fans of the magnificent gentle giants of the horse world.

Visitors can watch the iconic breed being put through its paces in-hand, ridden and in harness – with the chance to find out more about Shire horses and their role throughout history.

New for 2018 is the ridden quadrille – a choreographed ride to music which is often compared to an equestrian ballet.

“This will be the third year that we have held the National Shire Horse Show at Staffordshire Showground and we look forward to welcoming visitors and competitors to the event, which is regarded as the largest gathering of Shires anywhere in the world,” said Shire Horse Society secretary Victoria Clayton.

“The show has been held at a limited number of venues in England over its long history, and is believed to be one of the oldest, almost continuous, horse shows in the world, having been held for the first time at the Royal Agricultural Hall in Islington, London, in 1880, when the charity was named the English Cart Horse Society.

“Next year is a special one for us as a charity because it marks our 140^th anniversary, and we hope that hundreds of spectators will join us in Staffordshire to celebrate, along with our members who do such a great job of preserving this wonderful breed, which is still regarded as endangered and needs our continuing support.”

Trade stand opportunities are available for traders who would like to have stalls at the event, which attracts thousands of competitors and spectators over three days of competition. A range of sponsorship opportunities is also available.

The iconic Shire breed was in danger of dying out just a few decades ago, and even now fewer than 500 new foals are registered every year by the Shire Horse Society. The charity has been running a Save Our Shires campaign to raise awareness about these gentle giants and numbers have steadily increased, thanks to the dedication of a band of enthusiasts.

Tickets for the 2018 show have remained at 2017 prices and have just gone on sale via the Shire Horse Society’s website www.shire-horse.org.uk

Adult tickets are £10 in advance or £12 on the gate, while tickets for children aged five to 13 years are £8 in advance or £10 on the gate are £10. Children aged 14 years and over are charged at the adult price, while under fives enter free.

Gates open on Friday 16^th March at 8.30am and at 7am on Saturday 17^th and Sunday 18^th March.

For more details and ticket information about the show, visit http://www.shire-horse.org.uk or follow @saveourshires on Twitter or at https://www.facebook.com/shirehorsesociety/

Press release issued by Nottingham based PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Winners of the East Midlands fbe Awards 2017 announced

Overall winner of the East Midlands fbe Awards 2017

The refurbishment of the Engineering Building at the University of Leicester has been crowned the overall winner at the East Midlands fbe Awards 2017.

Nominated by Pulse Associates, who provided project management for the scheme, the work involved replacing 2,500 pieces of glass to the roof and façade of the Grade II listed, architecturally significant building and the creation of an internal environment fit for modern-day teaching needs.

Sponsored by building company DW Hicks, the award was the top accolade presented at the East Midlands fbe Chairman’s Dinner & Awards night, held at the City Rooms in Leicester, with the judges saying: “This was a truly deserving winner, based on the high status and complexity of the project, and the overall effort, costs and risks involved in securing the retention of a highly valued building for future generations.”

The scheme had earlier won the Regeneration Award sponsored by insurance expert Arthur J Gallagher. The judges said: “This was a highly complex retention and renovation of a listed, iconic and well-loved building. The intensive consultation and collaboration was to deliver improved performance and increased flexibility. 

“Considering the building’s unique detailing and considerable works, the judges were impressive that the building remained in use throughout the works.

“Architecturally significant in its originality, aesthetics and structural engineering solution, the judges had to acknowledge the time and commitment to restoring the structure and retaining the celebrated design.”

The winner of the Residential Award, sponsored by building solutions firm J Tomlinson, was a Rural Housing Exception scheme at High Street, Brant Broughton in Lincolnshire, nominated by architects Halsall Lloyd Partnership.

Judges said of the housing scheme: “This development managed to achieve a high level of sustainability whilst not losing aesthetic appeal. The retention of existing site features and characteristics is admirable and shows a good understanding of its sense of place. The judges also noted its collaboration with the local community.”

The winner of the Non-Residential Award, sponsored by consultant development engineer M-EC, was Birkett House School, Wigston, Leicestershire, nominated by civil and structural engineer BSP Consulting and contractor Willmott Dixon Construction.

The judges said: “With its range of bespoke learning facilities that challenge previous norms, Birkett House offers well-designed and executed specialist facilities that were not currently met in the area.

“The integration of sustainable design into the teaching and learning process gives a strong and comfortable sense of place. Birkett House has been further recognised for its extensive level of collaboration and involvement outside of the construction team, the build being carbon neutral as well as its use of local labour.”

The Rising Star Award – presented to a young person under the age of 30 working within the construction sector in Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire or Nottinghamshire who has shown outstanding achievements in their field and which was sponsored by business and tax advisor Duncan & Toplis – was presented to Joe Gent, a trainee M&E quantity surveyor at Nottingham-based J Tomlinson.

The judges said of Joe: “The Rising Star category is always the hardest to judge and this year the competition seemed to be particularly stiff. It’s fantastic to see there are so many young people in the region achieving great things.

“Joe Gent secured the accolade because of the level of his accomplishments in such a short period of time. His achievements are commendable and it is clear that he is both a highly valued and well-liked member of the J Tomlinson team. In both his practical and academic work, Joe has shown hard work and dedication and has excelled in both areas. With his ambition and can-do attitude as well as the ability to build professional relationships and secure contracts at a relatively young age, Joe has been awarded the FBE Rising Star 2017 award. He has an incredibly bright future ahead of him.”

Around 130 professionals from the construction, property and development sector in the East Midlands attended the annual ceremony, which included a welcoming drinks reception sponsored by consulting engineer BSD.

Compèred by former England international rugby player and ex-Leicester Tiger player Peter Wheeler, the evening also raised £1,378 for the Wooden Spoon charity, an organisation dedicated to providing rugby coaching for disabled, or disadvantaged, children. The charity aims to positively transform the lives of young people across the UK and Ireland.

Eddie Mewies, regional chairman of the East Midlands fbe and MD of M-EC Consulting Development Engineers, said: “A huge congratulations to all the finalists and especially the winners of these awards, which highlight and reward the teams behind some of the best construction projects in the East Midlands and also shine a light on the young people who are showing outstanding achievements in their areas of work.

“The East Midlands fbe Awards give us the opportunity to recognise and highlight the great projects that are undertaken in this region, and I’d like to thank all the companies that nominated and took part this year.”

The fbe is a national organisation, with branches across the UK and is the longest established networking group for the property, development and construction industries. As well as running the annual awards scheme, the East Midlands branch also organises a number of social and other events. The East Midlands branch covers Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire.

Photo caption left to right, Eddie Mewies, regional chairman of the East Midlands fbe, Nick Emmett from the University of Leicester, Ian Carey from Pulse Associates, Samuel Hicks, director at award sponsor DW Hicks, and Peter Wheeler, former England international rugby player and ex-Leicester Tiger player.

Press release issued by Nottingham based PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Tasty new premium breads launched by Central Foods

KaterBake Beetroot and Pumpkin wraps from Central Foods.

Frozen food distributor Central Foods has unveiled a mouth-watering and eye-catching range of new breads for foodservice operators.

Both the KaterBake flavoured wraps and the KaterBake Premium Fine Dining Roll Selection provide operators with something special, as the appetite for innovative and artisanal breads continues to rise.

Suitable for a wide range of different meal occasions throughout the day, the KaterBake Pumpkin Wrap and the KaterBake Beetroot Wrap each contains one of the recommended five-a-day fruit and vegetable intake. Both are suitable for vegetarians and vegans, are dairy free and high in fibre, and are guaranteed to liven up a sandwich or snack display and add excitement to dining menus.

The 12-inch diameter colourful wraps are ideal for tapping into a number of current eating trends such as street food, healthier options and the next generation of breads. Plus, they provide a stunning carrier for tasty fillings.

Meanwhile the KaterBake Premium Fine Dining Roll Selection is the perfect way to bring a traditional bread basket up to date. Featuring a mix of premium sourdough bread rolls in multigrain square, fennel and caraway seed, white torpedo, and beetroot flavours, each roll has an artisan appearance, with the range of different shapes and colours providing a visually appealing variety.

Available from Central Foods.

The new KaterBake selection is also perfect for a number of current trends such as the next generation luxury breads, the premiumisation of commodity products and the striking colours and savoury ‘earth’ flavours that consumers love today.

“The genuine sourdough rolls are made from the bakery’s original 20-year-old ‘mother dough’, which captures yeast naturally present in the air, not just added to the dough like some other bakeries,” said Central Foods MD Gordon Lauder. “The ‘mother dough’ is replenished with flour and water every day, meaning that each and every roll contains a part of the original 20-year-old dough mix. It is this original ‘mother dough’ that defines the deliciousness of bread and creates a taste and texture that just cannot be replicated any other way, ensuring our rolls are not only artisan but also premium.”

High in fibre, dairy free and suitable for vegetarians and vegans, each roll is approximately 45g in size.

“Our new KaterBake ranges are perfect for many of the latest eating trends and are both stunning in looks and taste,” added Gordon. “Frozen breads are ideal for caterers, as they really deliver on the flavour and presentation front when as fresh as possible, so it makes sense for caterers to have breads to hand in frozen format. It means they have a constant supply of ‘fresh’ stock to ensure they give their customers great-tasting and attractive food.

“Frozen food is also very useful as a back-up, in case demand outstrips supply. And of course, being able to defrost and serve just what is required, for items like bread, is key to reducing waste. This helps cut unnecessary costs and avoid unnecessary wastage – something that we should all be striving to do, whatever the type of the catering operation.”
The new bread ranges complement the wide selection of sweet and savoury bakery products offered by Central Foods, which include naans, tortillas, flatbreads, pitta breads, chapattis, sub rolls, crumpets, doughnuts, American pancakes, crepes, scones and other items.

Central Foods, which is based at Collingtree near Northampton, supplies more than 220 independent wholesalers, as well as larger national and regional wholesalers. It also supplies to foodservice caterers across the entire foodservice industry, including pubs, hotels, restaurants, staff canteens, schools, hospitals, coffee shops, football grounds and universities.

Offering a one-stop shop to the foodservice sector, Central Foods sources products from around the world and the UK, supplying more than 400 different lines, ranging from meat, bakery items and canapés through to buffet products, desserts and puddings.

The company has steadily grown since it was founded 21 years ago, and recently was named for the first time in a report by Grant Thornton as being in the top 100 companies in Northamptonshire. The company was also a finalist in the Family Business United Family Business of the Year Awards 2017 for the Midlands.

For more details about Central Foods, visit www.centralfoods.co.uk

Press release issued by Nottingham based PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk