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Release Date: 29/06/05 Issued by: Jane Brace For more information contact: | |
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Bruce Middleton bmiddleton@southdowns-aonb.gov.uk |
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Visitors to next month's Bignor Weed and Wild Flower Festival will be able to sample new South Downs branded lamb – and help raise funds for repairs to the village church at the same time
The high quality lamb is one of an innovative range of branded products being developed under the South Downs Landcape Enhancement Initiative (LEI). Due to be in butchers' shops in Sussex and Hampshire soon, it is the fruition of lengthy trials and studies with the aim of providing customers with a good tasting meat and being able to tell them exactly where the lamb was reared The new lamb can be tasted at the festival which will be held at Bignor Church on Saturday, July 9 and Sunday, July 10, with most of the proceeds from the promotion of the brand going to the Bignor Church repair fund. The unique festival will celebrate the wide-ranging uses of weeds and wildflowers, from medicinal to culinary Festivalgoers will also be able to buy South Downs branded charcoal at the event. Says SDCB senior ranger Bruce Middleton: “This event is an opportunity to show that by coppicing our woodlands and grazing our downs with sheep and cattle we can enhance plant habitats. At the same time as increasing insect, bird and animal species we can produce these high quality locally produced by-products like lamb and charcoal. This benefits not only local producers but helps sustain the South Downs as a whole.” Further information is available from Bruce Middleton on (01730) 817945 or from the events section of the SDCB website at www.vic.org.uk
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Notes to Edito 1.For press enquiries and separate copies of any images in this release please contact Jane Brace PR on (01243) 789554 or e-mail j.brace@virgin.net or Julian Gray, Communications Manager on 0777 927 0297 jgray@southdowns-aonb.gov.uk or Catherine James on (01323)870280 cjames@southdowns-aonb.gov.uk 2. The South Downs Virtual Information Centre can be found at www.vic.org.u 3.The Sussex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is one of 41 protected landscapes in England and Wales. It covers nearly 400 square miles (1,000 square km) and 1,364 miles (2,200 km) of rights of way, stretching from the Hampshire border to Eastbourne. 4. The Sussex Downs Conservation Board (SDCB) aims to protect, conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the Sussex Downs AONB. The Chairman of the SDCB is Lord Renton; the Sussex Downs Officer Martin Beaton is the Chief Officer, with Countryside Manager Phil Belden his deputy |
