Februrary 2012
Champions of Yorkshire!
Stray FM interviewed Andrea this week after winning the Countryside Alliance Best Village Shop & Post Office category – see what they had to say on this link.
Dale Stores Birstwith is a Rural Oscar Champion!
Matthew and Andrea Walwyn, proprietors of the Dale Stores, Birstwith are celebrating after being named Champions of the Yorkshire region in the Village Shop / Post Office category of this year’s Countryside Alliance awards.
The husband and wife team have run the store in Birstwith for six years and were delighted when they heard the news.
“We’re overwhelmed that our loyal customers, friends and our whole community felt we deserved to be nominated and to come top in the whole of Yorkshire against very stiff competition is fantastic,” said Matthew.
Nicknamed the “Rural Oscars”, the coveted awards have been running for seven years to highlight all that is good about rural Great Britain.
Simon Hamlyn, the Alliance’s Northern Regional Director said: “They celebrate the characters, skills, traditions and enterprise of the countryside through the people who work so hard to make it tick. Each finalist has received numerous nominations from customers and supporters.”
Store owner Matthew added: “When we moved in to the Dale Stores we wanted it to be a shop window for our area - we live in beautiful Nidderdale, which is abundant with great produce so why would we buy from anywhere else?”
The Dale Stores underwent a thorough process from nominations, to short-list to judging to eventually come out Champions of the Yorkshire region. The national judging panel, chaired by Executive Chairman Barney White-Spunner includes television cook and countrywoman Clarissa Dickson Wright, Daily Telegraph Editor Philip Johnston and Farmers Guardian Editor Emma Penny.
Simon Hamlyn said “Dale Stores is exactly what a village shop should be – friendly, helpful, bursting with character and proudly supporting local producers. Village shops play such vital roles in community life that the twin commitments to local produce and support for local people are often overlooked and taken for granted. Well I can tell from the charming nominations we received for Andrea and Matthew that they are appreciated and that the entire community is grateful for all they do and rightly proud of this win”
Matthew and Andrea now head to a celebration reception at the House of Lords in March along with the nine other regional champions across England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.
Andrea summed up the feeling, saying “We are thrilled for our staff, our customers and our suppliers. It is an amazing achievement when you consider the size of our region and the number of nominations. We have always known that the Dale Stores, Birstwith is a special place – to have this recognised nationally is wonderful.”
For more information about this article please contact:Matthew & Andrea Walwyn Dale Stores Birstwith
01423 770271 / 07540 615459
matthew.walwyn@ajsfood.co.uk andrea.walwyn@ajsfood.co.uk
Useful Countryside Alliance Awards web pages:
http://www.countrysideallianceawards.org.uk/
http://www.countrysideallianceawards.org.uk/
article/2011-regional-finalists
http://www.countrysideallianceawards.org.uk/
article/2011-yorkshire-finalists
January 2012
Happy New Year!
AJ really does believe in buying local so when you want a curry there's no need to go traveling the world when we have great flavours on our doorstep! Why not try a great curry from our new supplier Asharun Spices, all spices freshly made in Harrogate!
Other new products we have include Gary Rhodes range of sauce mixes, No Hurry Chicken Curry, Chilled Out Chilli Con Carni and Slow Comfortable Stew! Oh and Grate Britain Biscuits for Cheese (yes spelt Grate!) all the ingredients used are from the UK.
November 2011
The Dale Stores gears up for Christmas!
We have just taken delivery of plenty of stock for Christmas, including the most wonderful tins of biscuits, cakes and sweets as well as Christmas Coffee and Teas from Taylors of Harrogate, plus exciting Christmas products in the AJ’s range. These include Christmas Chutney, Boxing Day Chutney, Bucks Fizz Marmalade and Strawberry Preserve with Champagne.
The star of the show, though, is our dancing Christmas Tree, who wiggles, jiggles and twirls his way through “Jingle Bell Rock”. He’s had us all in stitches, staff and customers alike! We can’t get enough of him!
October 2011
We have found some fantastic new products for the Dale Stores, Birstwith and it’s all locally produced. First, we got hold of some of Paganum Produce’s Yorkshire Chorizo, made near Skipton. We’ve already had a text from someone saying it’s the best chorizo they’ve ever tasted!
Then, we got in touch with Graham from Asharun Spices. They are a Harrogate company who grind all their own spices and provide cooking mixes for Asian and African dishes. We’ve already tried the Lamb Tagine with Morroccan Flatbread and it’s dreamy! And easy to do aswell!
September 2011
New selection of cheeses available at The Dale Stores Birstwith. We have just teamed up with Gemma from the Cheeseboard on Commercial Street in Harrogate. She is now supplying all of our cheeses in our delicatessen cabinet and what a fantastic range we now have.
From stinky Brie de Meux, to traditional Wensleydale Cheeses to Black Bomber, our range looks impressive and has been very well received by our customers. Glass of wine, some Nairns oatcakes and a plateful of Gemma’s cheese…….what a way to spend the evening!
August 2011
We are delighted to introduce our new recruit, Hayley, who joins us on Food and Beverage Apprenticeship. Hayley left school knowing that she wanted to launch a career in food and drink, but wasn’t sure how to go about. She approached us and we both went to Harrogate College to see if she could join us on an apprenticeship.
In true Sir Alan fashion, we said “You’re hired!” and here she is at the Dale Stores, Birstwith. She has adopted our principles of providing fantastic food and exceptional customer service and is already wowing our residents with her fabulous home baking and cooking.
January 2011
AJ's supports the local community at Fewston
AJ’s has fought off fierce competition to win the contract to run the tearooms at the prestigious new Washburn Heritage Centre in Fewston, near Harrogate.
The Washburn Heritage Centre was developed by Fewston with Blubberhouses Parochial Church Council at Fewston Church to preserve and promote the unique heritage of the Washburn Valley. Building on the central role which the church has always played in the community, it benefits both local people and the many visitors to the area.
The Heritage Centre is a wonderful, light modern room attached to Fewston Church with changing displays, information about local walks, and a programme of events including concerts, special exhibitions, adult learning classes. Fewston Church is open daily with permanent exhibitions about the church, the reservoirs and the Washburn Valley.
January 2011
AJ's supports the local community at Fewston
AJ’s has fought off fierce competition to win the contract to run the tearooms at the prestigious new Washburn Heritage Centre in Fewston, near Harrogate.
The Washburn Heritage Centre was developed by Fewston with Blubberhouses Parochial Church Council at Fewston Church to preserve and promote the unique heritage of the Washburn Valley. Building on the central role which the church has always played in the community, it benefits both local people and the many visitors to the area.
The Heritage Centre is a wonderful, light modern room attached to Fewston Church with changing displays, information about local walks, and a programme of events including concerts, special exhibitions, adult learning classes. Fewston Church is open daily with permanent exhibitions about the church, the reservoirs and the Washburn Valley.
Buy local produce online with AJ's
At AJ's we have sourced some fantastic products and really want to share them with you. So we are building an online store!
The shopping cart is built and we now have the task of loading all our lovely products on there - great fun, but it does make you hungry reading down the list!
We'll keep you posted and let you know when it is live online... watch this space as they say!
November 2010
AJ's Hamper's are selling like hot cakes!
AJ's hampers packed full of local produce have been selling fantastically at local markets and Christmas fayres.
The hampers make a perfect family Chrismtmas gift, or corporate Christmas gift.
We have sizes and baskets to suit every budget, and each one it packed full of goodies sourced from our local suppliers. Such as AJ's own jams, pickles and chutneys, to local beers, homemade biscuits and cakes and much more.
Next year we are hoping to have our online store ready so you can buy online - watch this space...
SEPTEMBER 2010
AJ's to take part in British Food Fortnight Event
AJ’s is delighted to be taking part in the forthcoming British Food Fortnight which runs from 18th Septmber to 3rd October 2010.
This important event in our calendar has been running since 2002 and is always held during Harvest Festival, a favourite time of the year for celebrating our Britain’s food.
The event is designed to highlight the best of our regional foods as well as explore the benefits and pleasures of eating quality, fresh, seasonal and regional produce. Please check out our seasonality calendar on this site to discover which foods will be in season during British Food Fortnight.
AJ’s & The Dales Stores Join in Celebrations
The Dale Stores at Birstwith and AJ’s at The Academy will be joining in this celebration with tastings, special menus, promotions and information packs.
Look at for what is happening in our outlets during this special celebration of our food and drink heritage.
JUNE 2010
AJ's Exhibiting at the 2010 Birstwith Show
For the first time, this year's Birstwith Show will feature a "Food and Drink" area, showcasing locally produced products, such as sausages, seafoods and fruit and vegetables. AJ's Food and Drink will be exhibiting their new range of sauces, pickles, jams, preserves, cakes and biscuits at the Show on Saturday 31st July. Customers will be able to buy our exciting new products, such as Raspberry and Rhubarb Jam, Chilli Jelly and Yorkshire Dales Pickle with Wold Top Real Ale. We have teamed up with the Plunkett Foundation's Look for Local Scheme and they will have representatives at the stand to talk to our customers about the importance of supporting local and regional producers. At AJ's we are very excited by our links with "Look for Local Food" because we share the same passion for providing "Great Honest Food and Drink"
Creme de la Creme Chooses AJ’s at The Academy
Creme Ladies Networking Organisation has chosen to make AJ’s at the Academy their meeting venue for 2010. Creme is a Harrogate based social and business networking club, launched to provide a forum for Businesswomen in the region. They hold regular lunch meetings with guest speakers, dinner events and quarterly workshops. Owner and Businesswoman Sarah Sanpher was attracted to AJ’s not only by the outstanding locally produced food and drink, but also by The Gallery meeting room and the crèche facilities at the Academy. This means that busy Businesswomen can attend Creme meetings without worrying about childcare arrangements. We are looking to developing our excellent relationship with Creme de la Creme over the coming months.
New Range of AJ’s Products
We are excited to announce the launch of our very own AJ’s range of Jams, Chutneys, Relishes and Sauces. These have been developed in conjunction with Brackenhill Fine Foods in York and are made using as many ingredients local to Yorkshire as possible.
The range will include:
Jams: Apricot, Blackcurrant, Seedless Raspberry, Strawberry and Raspberry & Rhubarb
Jellies: Chilli, Thai, Redcurrant and Apple & Mint
Marmalades: Vintage Thick Cut and Three Fruit
Sauces: Barbeque, Cumberland, Horesradish, Rich Tomato & Smoked Garlic Ketchup, Yorkshire Brown Sauce and Mint sauce
Speciality Sauces: Hot Curry Paste, Hot Lime Pickle and Mojo Picon
Curds: Lemon
Chutneys: Caramelised Onion, Hot Tomato, Piccalilli, Mediterranean Sun Dried Tomato with Garlic, Yorkshire Dales Pickle, Plum Chutney with Wold Top Real Ale, Red Onion Marmalade
Mustards: Hot English and Wholegrain with Ale
This range reflects our strict policies of supporting local producers whilst providing our customers with outstanding quality.
They will be available from this summer at any AJ’s outlet.
New Wine List
In conjunction with York Wines, we have launched a new wine list from June 2010. York WInes supports our policies of using local, smaller scale producers whilst achieving the highest quality available.
Whites
- Colombard Ugni Blanc Richelieu, VdP (France)
Aromatic, tropical and citrus fruit characters combine to give an appealing and clean fruit driven style. Crisp floral finish.
£12.50 175ml £3.10 250ml £4.30
- Turi Sauvignon Blanc Central Valley Vineyards (Chile)
Fresh, zesty and herbaceous. Fruity with mouthwatering finish
£13.95 175ml £3.50 250ml £4.75
- Pinot Grigio Pure Veneto (Italy)
A delightfully expressive wine with refreshing apple and citrus flavours. Crisp on the finish
£14.95 175ml £3.95 250ml £5.10
- Pitch Fork Chardonnay McLaren Vale (Australia)
This wine is bursting with aromatics of pineapple, lime and spring blossom. Plenty of mid palate weight and finishing with clean crisp acid.
£17.95 175ml £4.50 250ml £6.15
Reds
- Bush Vine Red Richelieu, Vdp (France)
This blend of Grenache and Carignan has been topped up with 20% ripe, plummy Merlot to give an extra richness
£12.50 175ml £3.10 250ml £4.30
- Turi Merlot Central Valley Vineyards (Chile)
Dark and red fruits such as plums and cherries with a hint of chocolate. Sweet and soft palate with a fruity finish.
£13.95 175ml £3.50 250ml £4.75
- Alto Malbec Pampas del Sur (Argentina)
This ripe and lush example combines a lively red colour, smooth tannins and red fruit flavours
£14.95
- Pitch Fork Shiraz McLaren Vale (Australia)
Lifted aromatics of spice and red fruits, strong mid palate with typical varietal characteristics
£17.95
Roses
- Bush Vine Blush Richelieu, VdP (France)
A superbly moreish wine, full of soft juicy summer fruit flavours with a little touch of honey on the finish
£12.50 175ml £3.10 250ml £4.30
- Pinot Grigio Rose Ca’Solare (Italy)
Overtly delicious and refreshing tang
£17.95
Fizz
- Prosecco Vetriano Adria Vini (Italy)
Light, softly foaming “frizzante” wine. Fresh fragrant with soft appealing fruit
£17.95 125ml £4.50
- Castell d’Olerdola Brut Rosado (Spain)
A blend of Garnacha and Monistrell. This is an elegant, light and floral wine with lovely strawberry fruit
£18.95
- Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Reims (Champagne)
Well known for both its full-bodied, biscuit style and its consistency
£39.00
