Springhill Lamb & Mutton

Bob Wilden has been shepherding in the village of Little Wenham in Suffolk for over thirty five years. His credentials as a shepherd received recognition when he was asked to appear on the TV show 'A Farmers Life for Me' as the authority on sheep farming, and he continues to work closely with the show's winning couple, Ray and Jayne, and their mutton burger business. Although not certified organic, Bob practices a very high standard of animal husbandry. The sheep enjoy a good quality of life grazing in meadows and no anitbiotics, hormones or chemicals are used in their production. Bob knows that a healthy, happy outdoor life, followed by a humane death in a small, local abattoir, results in exquisitely good quality meat. Bobs real passion is for mutton, for which he keeps a flock of pure-bred Portland sheep. The Portland breed is hardy and ideally suited to the ancient wild-flower meadows on which they graze. They are slow to mature, making them ideal for mutton. Mutton is a meat which has all but dissappeared from the British palate but which is finding favour again amongst the connoisseurs of fine food. Good mutton, which Bobs most certainly is, requires extra special care to produce and needs to be 'hung' for at least two weeks. The resulting meat has a fine and full flavour, which is at its best when cooked slowly.

Springhill lamb and mutton is available in half sheep packs. Buying meat in such a way represents fantastic value for money, working out at approximately £8.75 per kilo which is significantly less than the 'over the counter' price in a butchers shop. And that's for fine quality, single producer meat. You needn't be intimidated by buying half an animal either. The meat will be butchered into the most popular cuts and do not take up as much space in your freezer as you might imagine. Because of the 'hanging' time required for mutton packs may take up to 2-3 weeks before they are delivered.

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