Jam and Jerusalem

The Stalbridge Women's Institute meet every month at Stalbridge Hall. Here are some extracts of their January 2018 meeting report. The President Wendy Bailey welcomed both members and visitors to the January WI meeting.
As well as singing Jerusalem, we sang 'Happy Birthday' to Ann Mattock who celebrated her birthday that day and was one of the recipients of a beautiful, Birthday Posy made by Wendy.
In December events included several members joining others from all over the county for a Carol Service in Sherborne Abbey, a very enjoyable Christmas Lunch at 'The Virginia Ash' where Jane Smith arranged a variation on the usual 'Secret Santa' with the Christmas present draw, we all took a wrapped present and received one back. Wendy Bailey was thanked for the upkeep of the flowers in the trough in Station Road.
Daniel Miller from 'The Dorset Dairy Company' told us how he and his partner Alex had started up the company on the family farm of 60 years, here on the outskirts of Stalbridge. They accessed second hand equipment having to thoroughly clean out the old cow stall, which had previously been used for calf rearing and laterly as Daniel's music room!! Then having to decorate it before being able to use it.
They started by making cheese, progressing to strained or Greek Yoghurt, using 100 litres of milk to make 30 litres of Yoghurt. Advertising the product with 'Tastings' at farm shops etc, also in Dikes in Sept 2016. Then in London, March 2017 they entered the 'Virgin Food Entrepreneurs', also attending the 'Specialist and Fine Foods Festival' in London, gaining interest from 'Fortnum & Mason'. Through the Internet they are able to supply establishments in London quickly, Daniel said Alex deals with that side of it (she's the internet wizard). He was obviously very passionate about his product, having to put a lot of hard work into producing and promoting it. Daniel left us with several different flavoured Yoghurts to sample, I liked the Honey one rather than the savoury flavours.
The 'Flower of the Month' was won by Wendy Bailey and June Harman. The competition for 'A Pretty or Unusual Milk Jug', 1st was Wendy, 2nd was June, and 3rd was Sheila Orchard.

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