A JOINT meeting was held between the Inner Wheel and Rotary Clubs of Droitwich Spa at Droitwich Golf Club on March 20.
After a delicious meal, members welcomed speakers Ali Bowden and Kate Daniels who represented their business ‘The Little Black Pig Company’, based at Willow Farm, Crossway Green, Stourport- on- Severn.
Kate had a career as a management consultant but followed her dream and set up a smallholding business breeding pigs, sheep, chickens and turkeys. Her partner Ali Bowden, a registered nurse by day, takes an active part helping at night and at weekends.
Using slides members were quizzed on breeds of pig and the location of the pig body parts.
Kate gave a practical demonstration how to cure bacon and gammon which could be wet or dry cured – wet cure is in brine for three weeks, then rinsed and hung to dry before packing.
The dry cure Kate demonstrated is a sweet cure with salts and brown sugar, cured for a week then rinsed and hung for a week to dry before being smoked.
Their venture has been a great success and they now have a shop at the Jinney Ring Craft Centre as well as at Willow Farm.
Their sausages have won prizes and they supply faggots too. They aim to sell only local food and they liaise with local farmers to provide the best produce.
A spokesperson said: “It was a most interesting insight into the hard work and dedication of the staff at Willow Farm together with friends and family who all help out when needed and a definite visit by Inner Wheel members and Rotarians is envisaged.
A vote of thanks was given by Di Sutch before President Glenys Griffiss closed the meeting.
