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BFFF member, Backhouse Jones will be running a short webinar with the RHA on 23rd August 2024 on the legal issues surrounding clandestine entrants.
Register here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2021763730270265437
BUSINESS SPONSORS CONFIRMED FOR CHARITY BALL
Children’s charity the Oakland Foundation has announced its sponsors for their upcoming Charity Ball taking place at the Crowne Plaza, Stratford Upon Avon on Saturday 28th September.
Crowne Plaza in addition to supporting the event, hosted by family business and total supply chain solutions provider Oakland International, will also be sponsoring the guests’ drinks reception for the evening.
Oakland Foundation trustee Luke Attwell expressed his gratitude: “We want to extend a massive thank you to all who are attending the Charity Ball and offer our thanks to Oakland International, the Crowne Plaza and to our sponsors SPAR UK, Renault, Coolways, Avanti Packaging, R Recruitment, and IMA Cooling Systems, whose generous support is vital in making this event so successful.
“As well as creating and gaining business awareness and participation, we are hoping to raise as much money as we can for the Foundation from the evening.”
The Oakland Foundation supports children under the age of 16 and their families through initiatives based around education, health and nutrition, and sport, with their aim to ensure children, irrespective of social background or physical ability, can participate.
The Oakland Foundation has funded projects worth more than £475,000 aimed at supporting underprivileged children and strives to enhance the lives of even more young people by raising awareness and collaborating with more businesses on specific projects and targeted initiatives.
“We are technically sold out for the event, which is amazing news, however the venue has been very accommodating in trying to make room for the odd couple of spaces from those still keen to attend closer to the event, so please do get in touch!” added Luke.
Enquiries about the event can be sent to: charityball@oakland-international.com and for more information about the work of the charity please visit: www.oakland-foundation.com
CHEERS! SMI IS WORKING WITH BRITAIN’S OLDEST BREWER
Thermal protection specialists at Seymour Manufacturing International are working with Britain’s oldest brewer to help keep its award-winning product range in perfect condition.
Independent family brewer Shepherd Neame has been based in the market town of Faversham, Kent for over 300 years, and has more than 300 pubs and hotels throughout London and the South East, from the historic heart of the City to the Kent coastline.
Perhaps best known for great British classic ales such as Spitfire Amber, which carries the Royal Warrant, Shepherd Neame’s diverse portfolio includes Bear Island East Coast Pale Ale and Bear Island Triple Hopped Lager, and the Whitstable Bay Collection. It also brews international lagers under licence including premium Thai lager Singha.
The company has turned to Telford-based SMI to provide thermal protection products including Cold-Stop curtains and thermal panels which ensure its brands are maintained at optimum temperature.
Ross Clarke, SMI business development manager, said: “We initially supplied two trial sets of curtains to the company’s Bishops Finger pub in Canterbury and Jamaica Wine House in London last year.
“Since then, we have been rolling out further installations in several of its other pubs, as well as its historic brewery and visitor centre.
“By the end of this summer, we will have supplied Cold-Stop curtains and Tempro thermal panels to 43 different locations.”
Tempro is SMI’s award-winning, lightweight thermal insulation material which has been scientifically proven to cut energy loss by at least 25% in chillers, and an amazing 33% in freezers.
It remains unchallenged as the world’s thinnest and most thermally efficient material of its kind.
Ian Barsby, head of technical and quality services at Shepherd Neame, said: “We have been incredibly pleased with SMI’s team and products, and hope to install thermal curtains in all remaining managed pubs and hotels by June 2025.
“We have installed thermal curtains in cellars at more than 40 of our sites, and in walk-in fridges and freezers at 15 of our sites. These are placed on all exits to ensure the space remains at the optimum temperature.
“As a business, we are committed to doing the right thing for our communities, our people and our environment.
“We continue to invest in state-of-the-art technologies to provide energy and emissions savings around our business, including working with the team at SMI to improve insulation in our pubs.”
DELIGHT FOR FAMILY BUSINESS KORKER SAUSAGES
India Hoad, Head of Sales and Marketing at Korker Sausages Ltd and fourth generation within the business, has recently been shortlisted in the category Manufacturing/Processing in the Women in Meat Industry Awards 2025. These prestigious awards reward and recognise outstanding female talent within the UK meat industry.
Vote for your winner here: https://lnkd.in/gxb4itv
BFFF MEMBER, MYPOWER, INSTALL 780.99 KWP’S OF SOLAR PV FOR MARSHFIELD FARM ICE CREAM, NR. BATH 🍦
I scream, you scream, we all scream for…
Marshfield Farm Ice Cream, a family-run business in South Gloucestershire, started small but now supplies delicious ice cream nationwide to over 8,000 parlours, cafés, restaurants, and farm shops. Farmed by the Hawking family since the 1970s, the Red Tractor-approved and Soil Association Organic farm produces over 30 award-winning ice cream flavours, using milk from its own herd of 240 British Friesian cows, all made on-site within 24 hours.
Marshfield Farm aims to be the most beloved ice cream among British families while positively impacting the planet. As a B Corp certified company, it adheres to high Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards and has implemented a comprehensive 3-year ESG strategy with specific goals.
The company’s environmental goals include building on work they’ve already done to reduce energy usage where possible, and to create its own energy from renewable sources. These measures have included 100% of heat requirements coming from a wood pellet boiler, heating and cooling of ice cream coming from a heat exchanger, and all lights being timed LEDs. As the scale of production increased, it was an obvious decision to increase the amount of electricity generated from solar PV across the available roof space of the factory, barns and farm buildings.
Marshfield Farm Ice Cream’s growth, driven by perfecting their craft and customer recommendations, led to Mypower being suggested by a satisfied client to design a suitable solar energy system for the farm. Installing solar PV across multiple buildings required meticulous planning of cabling, distribution, and data connectivity to track the carbon savings committed in Marshfield’s ESG goals.
In 2022, Mypower installed a 446 kWp solar PV system which increased the on-site solar energy capacity by 400%. Then in early 2024, Mypower returned to install Phase 2, adding a further 334 kWp, taking the total Mypower system size to 780.99 kWp. The total system will provide over 40% of the farm’s annual electricity needs.
“Marshfield Farm Ice Cream is a family run, multi-generational business and our ice cream is dependent on the health of our cows, the land they roam and our planet. Installing more solar panels on the otherwise unused rooftops of our buildings will mean the farm will be powered by renewable energy into at least the next generation. Mypower have been an ideal fit for Marshfield Farm, acting with care and professionalism, and we look forward to welcoming the team back for the next phase (and some more ice cream).”
LOUGHNANES OF GALWAY: EXPANDING FROZEN HORIZONS IN THE UK MARKET
Loughnane’s of Galway, a name synonymous with quality and tradition, is proud to announce our recent success in securing new business ventures in the UK. Our continued commitment to excellence has paved the way for a significant expansion, allowing us to share our beloved products in other markets.
Our product range is as diverse as it is delicious. We offer a wide variety of frozen sausages and black pudding, each crafted with the finest ingredients and a dedication to traditional methods. These products have long been a staple in many households, celebrated for their rich flavours and authentic taste.
In response to growing consumer demand, we have also positioned ourselves as leaders in the plant-based category. The frozen plant-based sector in the UK is recovering well, with more consumers seeking healthy, sustainable, and delicious alternatives to traditional meat products. Loughnane’s of Galway has embraced this trend, leveraging our expertise to develop an extensive range of plant-based products that do not compromise on taste or quality. Our commitment to innovation and sustainability ensures that we meet the needs of the modern consumer, providing plant-based options that are as satisfying as they are environmentally friendly.
Our offerings are available in both retail and food service formats, catering to a wide array of customers. Additionally, we are proud to serve as private label manufacturers, partnering with various retailers and food service operators, bringing exceptional products to market. This versatility underscores our ability to adapt and thrive in a competitive landscape, delivering products that meet diverse consumer preferences.
To support our growth and enhance our production capabilities, we have recently completed a multi-million-euro investment in our facilities. This substantial upgrade has significantly increased our capacity and efficiency, enabling us to meet rising demand while maintaining our high standards of quality. This investment is a testament to our commitment to excellence and our vision for the future.
As we continue to expand our footprint in the UK, Loughnane’s of Galway remains dedicated to delivering the finest products to our customers. Our success is built on a foundation of tradition, quality, and innovation, and we are excited to share our journey with new partners and consumers across the UK.”
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