GILCHESTERS ORGANICS WIN “BEST STAND” AWARD AT HARROGATE (July 2007)

Northumberland organic farmers, Sybille and Andrew Wilkinson, from Gilchesters Organics Farm, two miles north of Hadrian’s Wall, had another notable success recently. They won the award for the exhibition stand that most represented artisan food at the Harrogate Speciality and Fine Food Fair. Their stand demonstrated how they are growing and milling organic wheat to create a range of specialist flours.

Judge Tom Van Zeller, head chef at Harrogate’s Hotel Du Vin, said Gilchesters was the most rounded display at the event. “It had everything – it was informative, it had an attractive ‘rustic feel’ to it, and it had sensational photography and visuals of the mill and flour bags, which pulled you in.”

Sybille said the fair was a great success and it was nice to get some recognition for all the hard work she and Andrew had put into the stall. “The Fair was brilliantly organised. Not only were we impressed with the high footfall but the quality of the visitors was fantastic. Key purchasing decision-makers from the likes of Booth’s and Betty’s Tea Rooms visited us, as well as independent delis and farm shops from across the UK.”

Altogether, eight food producers from the North East took part at Harrogate under the Northumbria Larder banner. The others were Chain Bridge Honey Farm, Burtree House Farm, Piperfield Pork, Jenkins and Hustwit, Artisan Foods, Heatherslaw Bakery and Trees Can’t Dance.