Luke Evans Bakery hits the right note with community donation

A community organisation which has been entertaining local people for almost 80 years is to receive a donation from Luke Evans Bakery to mark National Craft Bakers’ Week.

The bakery at Riddings, near Alfreton in Derbyshire, pledged to give one pound for every year it had been running to a local good cause as part of its celebrations for the special week.

Now it has chosen Ripley and Alfreton Musical Theatre Company as the beneficiary of the £207 donation.

“Luke Evans Bakery has been a key part of the Derbyshire community for more than 200 years and we are delighted to support a community organisation that also has a long history in the area,” said Luke Evans Bakery managing director David Yates.

“National Craft Bakers’ Week was an excellent opportunity for us to promote what we do, with a range of different events. We had a number of deserving good causes apply for our donation, but we could only choose one and we decided that Ripley and Alfreton Musical Theatre Company was to be the beneficiary. I hope the money will help them to carry on performing and entertaining in the future.”

The organisation, which is self-funding, relies entirely on sponsorship from local companies, voluntary contributions and fund-raising activities to help produce its shows.

Vice chair Kate Viles said: “We are very grateful to Luke Evans Bakery for the donation, which will be a big help with our next show Carousel, which we have already started rehearsals for. The show will be performed at Alfreton Grange Arts College in April 2012. For this show we require a group of children to play the 'snow children', therefore we will be involving children and adults of all ages from our local community.”

During National Craft Bakers’ Week, run by the National Association of Master Bakers, Luke Evans Bakery also donated free cream cakes for elevenses to several local companies including Granwood Flooring, Riddings, Martin Harris Hair and Beauty, Leabrooks, ETS Tyres, Riddings, David Nieper, Alfreton for their Macmillan Coffee Morning, and Blooming Nails and Beauty, South Normanton.

Luke Evans Bakery, which was founded in 1804 and now employs the eighth generation of the family, sells direct to the public from its shop in Green Hill Lane, Riddings, and supplies around 300 trade customers across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, including shops, schools, delis and Pride Park – the home of Derby County Football Club.

Fully trained craft bakers operate 24 hours a day turning out breads, cakes and savoury products.

Luke Evans Bakery can also make stunning cakes for every occasion… from weddings and birthdays to special anniversaries and retirements.

For more information contact the bakery on 01773 602764 or visit www.lukeevans.co.uk

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Exporting event provides food for thought for East Midlands food and drink firms

East Midlands food and drink firms were given advice on how to exploit overseas opportunities at an event that turned the spotlight on exporting.

A range of producers from the region attended the session, which was run by UK Trade & Investment at Newark Showground in Nottinghamshire.

It featured presentations from Leicester snack company Farsan Ltd, which is already successfully exporting, from Food and Drink Forum food technical manager Richard Wigley, who is an expert in labelling requirements, and from logistics company Mardon plc.

“Export is currently top of the government’s growth agenda, and we aim to encourage firms to consider overseas opportunities as a way of expanding and becoming more profitable,” said Bob O’Meara, international trade adviser for UKTI.

“The event provided food for thought for companies that are considering exporting or have just started.”

Among the delegates at the event were a pork pie manufacturer, a gourmet food producer, a ready meals manufacturer and a rape seed oil producer.

It was aimed at small and medium-sized food and drink manufacturers from Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland, and featured workshops, a case study presentation and networking opportunities.

UKTI is the government department that works with UK-based companies to ensure their success in international markets, and encourages the best overseas companies to look to the UK as their global partner of choice.

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Full Movement Method therapy training open day event

People interested in finding out more about how to train in a particular type of therapy are being invited to attend an open day later this month.

Practitioners in the Full Movement Method, a unique therapy which is used to treat muscle and joint pains, immobility and malfunction, will be on hand to explain more about the training courses which will get underway in 2012.

FMM was developed by the late Andy Thomas, from West Bridgford, Nottingham, and uses yoga postures as a diagnostic and treatment tool, alongside soft tissue techniques, deep tissue massage and joint mobilisations.

Andy, who died earlier this year, trained many practitioners in the therapy, which has been used to help road accident victims, injured sportsmen and women, and others who are suffering pain.

Now an open day is being held at Southwell Leisure Centre, Nottinghamshire, between 10am and 4pm on Saturday October 15th to give more information to people interested in training to be a FMM therapist.

“This is a great opportunity for anyone looking for a new direction, or who already works in the health sector, to gain new skills,” said FMM practitioner Karen Green.

“It’s ideal for yoga teachers or gym or fitness instructors who want to develop their expertise and increase the services they can offer to clients. It’s also perfect for people who are looking for part-time work to fit around existing commitments, or for those who have taken redundancy and are looking to set themselves up in their own business.

“Andy trained many practitioners in the Full Movement Method, who have gone on to open clinics in Bournemouth, Sheffield and elsewhere, and we are now looking forward to welcoming the next intake of students who are interested in learning the technique.”

The open day will be an opportunity to talk to previous FMM students, as well as tutors in the courses, which run at the premises of the PDW Group at Colwick, Nottingham.

Training in the Diploma in the Full Movement Method is held over a series of weekends, starting on January 28th and 29th. The Full Movement Training School is at the second stage of gaining accreditation for the diploma, with an inspector from the Federation of Holistic Therapists (FHT) due to visit in early November.

A two-day Continuous Professional Development course is also available, plus one-day workshops.

For more information visit the Full Movement Method website on www.fullmovementmethod.co.uk

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Holdsworth Chocolates announces limited edition Christmas 2011 selection

Holdsworth Chocolates, which produces exquisite handmade chocolates in the heart of the Derbyshire Peak District, has unveiled its range for Christmas 2011.

Led by creative director Genevieve Holdsworth, a team of skilled chocolatiers will be combining the finest chocolate and real fruit to produce delightful handmade – not just hand-finished – treats for the festive season.

Whether you’re looking for a luxury gift for that chocolate-loving special person, a stunning centrepiece for the festive dinner table or the perfect finish to your Christmas meal, Holdsworth has the answer with prices ranging from £3.95 to £17.95.

At the heart of the selection are Holdsworth’s eye-catching Chocolate Flower Pots and scrumptious individual rum and raisin Christmas Puddings.

“Christmas is a time when people want tradition, quality, value for money and, most of all, taste,” said Genevieve Holdsworth.

“Our selection – fully handmade using only the finest ingredients – has something for everyone – all tastes and budgets.

“Holdsworth’s Chocolate Flower Pots with their hand-tied ribbons and decorative wraps provide a real wow factor.

“Meanwhile our rum and raisin Christmas Puddings are a delightful and fun way to finish a festive meal.”

The full Christmas selection features:
• The Chocolate Flower Pot – 350g milk chocolate vase filled with individual chocolates and decorated with a seasonal flower and co-ordinating hand tied bow and decorative wrap. Recommended retail price £17.95.
• Christmas Pudding – 100g rum and raisin truffle centre, hand enrobed with thick bitter plain chocolate topped with crystallised peppermint leaves and real cranberries. This delightful mini festive pudding has a recommended retail price £4.99.
• Limited Edition Christmas Chocolate Selection – 375g or 240g gift boxes containing limited edition handmade milk, plain and white Christmas themed chocolates such as caramellised clementine cream, port and cranberry cream and chestnut praline to name but a few. Recommended retail prices £16.95 and £12.95, respectively.

The 2011 selection also includes gift bags containing:
• Dipped apricots in milk, plains and white chocolate - 150g gift bag for £4.25
• Dipped stem ginger in plain chocolate – 100g gift bag for £3.95
• Dipped orange slices in plain chocolate – 100g gift bag for £3.95
• Dipped marrons glace in milk, plain and white chocolate – 150g for £6.95
• A selection of limited edition milk, plain and white chocolates – 150g for £5.95.

Over the past three years Holdsworth’s expert chocolatiers have won a string of golds in the Great Taste Awards organised by the Guild of Fine Food.

Stockists include Harrods, Selfridges, Waitrose, Chatsworth House shop and Chatsworth Farm Shop and Ibbotsons of Ashford.

Based in Bakewell, Derbyshire, Holdsworth has been producing chocolates since 1988.

The company was created by Barbara Holdsworth. Spurred on by a passionate belief in making chocolates by hand, she developed her own recipes using only the finest ingredients.

She handed over to daughter Genevieve in 2002 and now the company’s team of dedicated chocolatiers continues to innovate and delight.

Holdsworth Chocolates is based in Station Road, Bakewell, Derbyshire, DE45 1GE. Telephone 01629 813573. E-mail info@holdsworthchocolates.co.uk or visit the website www.holdsworthchocolates.co.uk


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Sponsorship deal anniversary for Make Hay and Nottingham Creative

Ethical website developer Make Hay is marking the first anniversary of a sponsorship deal with a voluntary organisation that promotes creative individuals and groups in Nottingham.

The company provides free green hosting for the Creative Nottingham website www.creativenottingham.com which celebrates and connects the city’s creative, arts and digital business communities.

The website was re-launched a year ago – and Make Hay has supported the project since by sponsoring the site using its wind-powered website hosting service www.green-hosting.co.uk.

“As a creative business ourselves, we are very pleased to support the Creative Nottingham website, which is a great way of promoting Nottingham as a creative place and a very useful resource for those working in creative industries in the city,” said Victoria Stevens, who jointly runs Nottingham-based Make Hay with Jez Swinscoe. “The green hosting that we provide is an environmentally friendly way to help improve an organisation’s ethical credentials.”

Sue Barsby, from Creative Nottingham, said: “As a voluntary organisation, we are grateful for the support of Make Hay which has helped us to showcase Creative Nottingham to the world, and also take advantage of green and ethical wind-powered web hosting, which fits well with our ethics.”

Make Hay, which specialises in green and ethical website design, was founded in 2004. Its green web hosting arm, which is wind powered, was launched in 2006. The company works with a range of businesses and organisations, including many in the voluntary and charity sector.

Clients include Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, the Uganda Carbon Bureau, Climate East Midlands, Foxglove Covert Local Nature Reserve and London Insight Meditation.

Visit www.makehay.co.uk for information.

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Food and Drink iNet (Innovation Network) serves up the ingredients to inspire firms to innovate

Businesses linked to the food and drink sector in the East Midlands were given food for thought at an event aimed at inspiring innovation.

Delegates from Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire and Leicestershire attended the iThrive event organised by the Food and Drink iNet (Innovation Network), which stimulates innovation in the sector.

Held at the National Space Centre, Leicester, the event featured a presentation by strategic advisor and business book author Max McKeown, who focused on how to create an innovation culture within companies.

Among those in the audience were representatives from large firms such as Pepsico and Samworth Brothers Ltd, small and medium-sized enterprises, universities and supply chain companies.

“We had some excellent feedback from the event, with delegates saying they had been really inspired to return to their organisations and generate ideas for innovation,” said Richard Worrall, Food and Drink iNet director.

“Max McKeown is a strategic advisor for some of the most admired companies in the world, and it was an excellent opportunity to hear his ideas, which provided much food for thought to the delegates who attended the iThrive event.”

Caroline Evans, from Nottinghamshire gourmet food firm The Country Victualler, said: “I absolutely thoroughly enjoyed the event. It was inspiring and thought provoking.”

The Food and Drink iNet, which is funded by East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), is one of four regional iNets developed to link academic and private sector expertise and knowledge with local food and drink business innovation needs.

It aims to build on the tradition of innovation in the food and drink industry in the region by helping to create opportunities to develop knowledge and skills, and to help research, develop and implement new products, markets, services and processes. It is managed by a consortium, led by the Food and Drink Forum and including Food Processing Faraday, Nottingham Trent University, the University of Lincoln, and the University of Nottingham. For more information visit www.eminnovation.org.uk/food


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Olive snack OLOVES enter the US vending market

Award-winning healthy olive snacks OLOVES have been snapped up by four vending distributor companies in the US.

The on-the-go snacking alternative to crisps and nuts are now available through Vistar, Burdette Beckmann, AVB Sales & Marketing and Berkshire Natural Healthy Vending.

Suitable for vegans and vegetarians, kosher approved, and with an 18-month shelf life, OLOVES have proved popular in travel catering and are stocked on several airlines including Virgin Atlantic, United Airlines, Continental Airlines, and Thomas Cook. They have won four awards – including the equivalent of an Oscar after picking up a Mercury Award from the International Travel Catering Association (ITCA).

Each 30g liquid-free, foil-fresh pack contains 12-14 naturally tasty pitted olives. OLOVES are available in two flavours initially to the US vending market - Tasty Mediterranean and Light Hearted Vinaigrette. Two new flavours - Lemony Lover and Hot Chilli Mama – will be available in the future.

Two years ago OLOVES were given a shapely new look with a more compact sachet, which saves on space and reduces packaging.

Joint brand founder Matt Hunt said: “The US vending sector is keen to provide healthy snack alternatives, and OLOVES are the ideal products with around 50 calories per pack. OLOVES have proved popular on transatlantic flights and we’re very pleased that they are now going into the vending market in the US.”

Vistar is the largest vending operator in the US, with national coverage. Berkshire Natural specialises in healthy vending. Burdette Beckmann operates in the Southern States and East Coast. AVB Sales & Marketing is based in Ohio.

The recommended retail price of a pack of OLOVES in a vending machine is $1.50.

For more information visit www.oloves.com

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