It was never my intention to join the family business. I
spent most of my life wishing my parents had ‘normal’ jobs. Jobs that meant we
could have a family holiday every year, days out and more time together, like
all my other friends. Looking back now I realise what the Swaledale cheese
company gave us as a family. I had a pony and all the trimmings, a great
education, a lovely home and amazing holidays every few years. Mum and Dad have
given us a future, that’s why they worked so hard, to ensure we would continue
to have the life they provided and we in turn can give our kids the same. The
sad part is I had to lose both of them to realise this.
On and off I worked weekends at shows and in the dairy
waxing cheese and many afternoons in the office after school waiting for mum
and dad to finish. This was my basis for not wanting to be any part of the
business, it was boring. But one evening at The British Cheese awards change my
outlook. A September evening in 2007 in a marque in Oxford, several hundred of
the country’s finest cheese makers collected together to celebrate the cheese
industries’ answer to the Oscars. Mum and I were invited as special guests of
one of our customers and Mum asked to hand out the award they had sponsored in
my Dads name.
When the time came after some Dutch courage Mum stood up and
announced the winner – The Swaledale Cheese Company – Swaledale Ewe. It was
when the crowd cheered, cried and applauded I realised – My Mum and Dad are a
big deal in this industry. Respected, admired and supported. How many people
can say their Dad has an award dedicated in his memory? I think that’s pretty
special – just as my parents were.
This summer Sam and I have maintained the Swaledale Cheese Company’s
Award winning status..
Swaledale Blue – Class Winner – Great Yorkshire Show 2012
Swaledale Goat – 1 Star Gold – Great Taste Awards 2012
Swaledale Ewe PDO – 2 Star Gold – Great Taste Awards 2012
Swaledale Blue – 2nd Speciality Cheese Blue –
Dumfries & Lockerby Cheese Awards 2012
Swaledale Old Peculier – 1st Speciality Cheese
Flavour added – Dumfries & Lockerby Cheese Awards 2012
Richmond Smoked – 2nd Speciality Cheese Flavour
added – Dumfries & Lockerby Cheese Awards 2012
Swaledale with Chives & Garlic – 3rd
Speciality Cheese Flavour added – Dumfries & Lockerby Cheese Awards 2012
Bring on the next one…
Louise & Sam
