Pride of Northumbria's Happy First Anniversary (August 2006)

The first year of a new business can be fraught with problems, but Rebecca de'Wessington is delighted to report that the hamper company she set up in July 2005, Pride of Northumbria, has exceeded her expectations and looks like being a permanent feature of the North East Food and Drink industry.

Rebecca has notched up several successes during the past year. These have included a very rewarding first Christmas, being featured in a promotional DVD by the Northumberland Strategic Partnership to illustrate how it used its funding to support entrepreneurs like Rebecca, winning an Eve Award for her considerable networking skills, and being selected to supply gift hampers to Alnwick Castle and Kielder Castle gift shops. In particular both Longhirst Hall and Linden Hall have embraced the welcome gifts that Rebecca provides for their guests.

She is currently in talks about opening a dedicated retail outlet in her adopted hometown of Newbiggin-by-the-Sea in mid-Northumberland. " I'm thrilled by the prospect," she said.
Rebecca has also been actively involved in setting up a food distribution service in Amble, further up the coast, with Fourways Food, part of Amble Development Trust. The aim is to help food producers in north Northumberland get their produce into local shops by providing them with reliable transport; also communal refrigeration and storage facilities should they require them.

Coming up for Pride of Northumbria is a large order for 300 luxury hampers containing quality North East produce, for two concerts in August at Macdonald Linden Hall, Golf and Country Club, Longhorsley, near Morpeth. The menu starter is two slices of Craster oak-smoked salmon, followed by Northumberland Cheese, cured beef and ham from Broom Mill, JR Jam caramelised onion chutney, JR Jam spiced pepper chutney, Mason and Graham mixed spice nuts, and the New Barns Terrine consisting of rare-breed pork, free-range chicken breast, brandy, pistachio nuts, apricots and fresh herbs. Thomson's the Baker's will provide Newcastle Broon Ale cobs. The sweet course will be a Jenkins and Hustwit celebration cake, all in a baker's wicker hamper with accompanying salad and refreshments provided by Linden Hall.

The first concert, on August 19, will be given by Julian Lloyd Webber and the English Philharmonic Orchestra. The star of the second concert will be Ronan Keating. The concerts have been organised by the Children's Hope Foundation.

Rebecca de'Wessington acknowledges the support she has received during her first year in business from members of Northumbria Larder, the regional food group, and other food producers and business support organisations in the North East. " They have been very generous to me and together we are promoting the quality of locally-produced food in the region. "

For more information contact Pride of Northumbria on 01670 818246 or email enquiries@prideofnorthumbria.com - or visit the web site www.prideofnorthumbria.com