Sussex Food Heroes Announced

Celebrations were in full flow last night [Thursday 31 January] at this year’s sell-out spectacular Sussex Food and Drink Awards ceremony, where eight of Sussex’s top food and drink producers were hailed as local heroes and received their trophies at the American Express Community Stadium. 

Over 350 leaders in the food, drink and farming industries gathered for what is now dubbed ‘the Sussex foodie event of the year’, with all tickets sold out.  Guests were treated to a wonderful ‘Sussex bubbly and ale reception’, sponsored by Harveys and Carr Taylor, followed by a stunning seven-course banquet created by new stadium caterers the Lindley Group.  The menu featured an array of Sussex goodies including:  Sussex beef and dairy, locally caught fish, locally grown fruit and vegetables and a selection of local cheeses, Sussex ground coffee and locally-made chocolates.

Said Clive Beddall OBE, Chairman of the Judges: “All our grand finalists offer superb quality and innovation and reflect the rich diversity of the food and drink industry in this part of the world - and there are few areas of a modern food store or indeed a catering sector menu that cannot be supplied from Sussex.”

Winners were announced in a BAFTA-style presentation, hosted by the awards patron Sally Gunnell OBE and Danny Pike of BBC Sussex. 

Sussex Food & Drink Awards 2012/13 Winners:

Best Sussex Farmer's Market – sponsored by Harveys
Winner - Lewes

Runners up – Chichester & Steyning

Sussex Farmer of the Year sponsored by Knill James
Winner – Martin and Gundrada Hole, Montague Farm, Pevensey

Runners up -  Harry and Pip Goring, the Wiston Estate and Phil and Steve Hook, Longleys Farm, Hailsham

Best Sussex Food/Farm Shop sponsored by the Sussex Food & Drink Network
Winner – Veasey and Sons, Forest Row

Runners up – The Hungry Guest, Petworth and The Sussex Produce Company, Steyning

Sussex Food Producer of the Year sponsored by The Southern Co-operative
Winner – High Weald Dairy, Horsted Keynes
Runners up – Caroline’s Dairy, Sidlesham, Nr Chichester and Just Brownies, Partridge Green

Sussex Drink Producer of the Year sponsored by Natural PR
Winner – Ridgeview Wine Estate, Ditchling Common

Runners up –The Dark Star Brewing Co, Partridge Green and Wobblegate pure apple juice, Bolney

Best Sussex Eating Experience sponsored by Mayo Wynne Baxter

Winner – The Cat Inn, West Hoathly

Runners up -  The Ram Inn, Firle and Wabi, Horsham

Sussex Young Chef of the Year sponsored by Gram UK Ltd and Cheese Please
Winner – Jimmy Gray, Jeremy’s Restaurant, Borde Hill Gardens, Nr Haywards Heath
Runners up – Charlie Tayler, the Pass Restaurant, South Lodge Hotel, Lower Beeding and Ryan Hunter, Wingrove House, Alfriston

Sussex Butcher of the Year sponsored by Natural Farms
Winner – John Murray Butchers, Loxwood

Runners up – Archers of Westfield and Brighton Bramptons Butchers, Brighton

Brighton's Ice Rink Stays for Extra 5 Weeks

Skate lovers are celebrating tonight after managers of the hugely popular Royal Pavilion Ice Rink announced that the rink will stay on for an extra five weeks this year and will be open until February 24.

The rink has attracted thousands of visitors to the city, including numerous celebrities, among them local star Patsy Palmer with her children who have become regulars. It has also attracted many film crews from national tv programmes, including hosting its first wedding for an episode of BBC’s ‘Don’t tell the Bride’ last month.

“We are thrilled to be staying on and will be offering a 20 per cent discount this Sunday January 20 to support the Royal Pavilion’s Free Day celebration of the anniversary of the City purchasing the stunning palace in 1850,” said Shella Parkin, MD of Laine Ltd which manages the rink.

The rink will be extending its off peak hours Monday – Thursday all day and on Fridays until 4.15pm from February 21.

The restaurant and bar, run by Jamie Oliver’s Fabulous Feasts, will also be ‘upping the ante’ by introducing some new food, drink and cocktails which can be enjoyed by skaters and spectators alike. There will also be some regular special offers to watch out for, such as their traditional Italian antipasti board,filled with loads of cured meats, beautiful bocconcini, olives, caperberries, chillies, crostini and more, with a bottle of wine for just £20 – perfect for enjoying with a group of friends or family.

Organisers are also putting together an exciting free music programme for people to enjoy over the coming weeks. Come along this Saturday (19^th) for a live set from Barney Porter!

Royal Pavilion Ice Rink tickets cost from £10 for adults and £7 for children under 12 and the one-hour skate times run from 10am to 10.15pm daily. Schools can buy tickets for £4 per student and Box office is open from 9.30am to 9.45pm, but it is advisable to book tickets in advance.

Buy your tickets now from www.ticketmaster.co.uk/royal-pavilion-ice-rink or call 0844 8472352 or for group bookings of ten or more call 0844 8471512.

Daring Dogs Called to Action

Calling all owners of daring dachshunds, brave bulldogs and mighty mutts in Sussex - does your hound have what it takes to be crowned as a superdog at the London Pet Show 2013?

Nominations are now open for The Endal Awards, which gives a big pat on the back for canine tales of doggy derring-do as well as inspirational pets who have overcome adversity or companions whose loving support has changed their owners' lives forever.

The Awards were named after the late, great Endal, an assistance dog which helped rebuild the lives of ex-Royal Navy Chief Petty Officer Allen Parton who suffered severe head injuries in the Gulf War. Endal learned an astonishing 100 signed commands from loading and unloading a washing machine to putting a card in a cash machine. The Golden Labrador was instrumental in helping the Parton family rebuild their lives and Allen later founded the Hounds for Heroes charity in his honour.

As well as furry friends, the awards also recognise pioneering vets, trainers and those committed to safeguarding the lives of dogs. The winners will have their stories told at a special ceremony on the main stage of the Animal Action Arena, sponsored by Zoflora, at the London Pet Show, Earls Court Two, on May 11 and 12. Pooches will be presented with their winner's medals in front of the Show's growing crowd, which is expected to top 18,000 this year.

London Pet Show director Nicole Cooper said: “The Endal Awards are one of the Show highlights - the stories we hear of the bravery and devotion of man's best friend can be both heartbreaking and heart warming. Created by Dogs Today, The Endal Awards are our way of sharing these stories and giving inspirational dogs and those involved in their welfare a well-deserved pat on the back.”

Among last year’s winners were Edward the former Guide Dog who, despite being diagnosed with a rare form of glaucoma which resulted in him having both eyes removed, still accompanies his owner Graham Waspe to Guide Dog fundraising events in Stowmarket in Suffolk and lives as a pet alongside new working Guide Dog Opal. Indie the Northern Inuit dog was awarded a gong for helping his owner, John Lennon of Blackley in Manchester, recover from an attack by criminals. Rob and Jen Hollington from Stroud near Petersfield were awarded an Endal for their tireless fundraising for Hounds for Heroes. The couple's son Richard was the 300^th soldier killed in Afghanistan and the dog-loving family have so far raised more than £250,000 for the charity in his memory.

Post or email your nominations to beverley@dogstodaymagazine.co.uk, marking your email 'Endal Medals' in the subject line. Please include your name, address, daytime telephone number and information regarding the nominated person or dog, plus details of their story.

The third London Pet Show opens its doors on May 11 and 12 2013 at Earls Court Two.  This year's Show will be even bigger than previous years, featuring more animal action displays, larger show rings and displays and entertaining and informative talks and demonstrations.

There will also be more animals to discover within the Show's four zones which feature dogs, cats, small furries and aquatics and exotics.

For more details visit www.londonpetshow.co.uk.

Pilot James encourages young people to follow their dreams

With unemployment across the UK easing, Shoreham-based pilot James Piper says that now’s the time for young people to follow their vision and make their dream career a reality.

Figures release from the Office of National Statistics last month (December 13, 2013) show the number of unemployed 16-24-year-olds in Adur held at a steady 4.4% (-0.8% change from November 2011). Nationwide, the picture for young people is also looking rosier with the number of unemployed down 72,000 on the last quarter and with a decrease of 80,000 year-on-year.

James, a former pupil at Oakmeeds Community College, had always dreamed of being a pilot and is now helping other young people reach their potential as an advanced flight instructor at Flying Time Aviation based at Shoreham (Brighton City) Airport.

As well as instructing, James also helps inform young people about career choices in aviation and gave two presentations on becoming a pilot at Virgin Atlantic’s Future Flyers and Fixers event in Crawley in November which was attended by more than 700 youngsters aged 13-25.

James, 24, always wanted to become a pilot but didn’t attend university. Instead, he attended Flying Time Aviation to become a Commercial Pilot - the minimum qualification that a European Airline would require from prospective pilots. Flying Time Aviation is the only centre in the south east which offers the integrated Flight Deck programme, a full time one year intensive course that leads to a Commercial Pilot Licence.

“I’ve realised my lifelong ambition. To be up in the air flying four to five times a day makes for a really rewarding career,” said James.

He first got the flying bug when he flew in a jumbo jet for the first time at the age of eight and when he was older, received a Red Letter Day flying experience as a gift at Shoreham Airport.  James explained: “I knew there were different routes to becoming a pilot, but didn’t think I could afford to train to become one. The structure of the programme at Flying Time allowed me to train alongside a job working on refurbishments to the London Underground which helped pay my tuition fees. I worked during the day and studied at night to gain my Private Pilot’s licence and was able to borrow money from various relatives to complete my Commercial Pilot Licence training.”

He added: “When I started out learning to fly, my ambition had been to become an airline pilot but I was offered a job as a flight instructor before I finished the course. I’ve been teaching people to fly for two-and-a-half years now and it’s great fun. My favourite part of the job is watching student’s faces when I tell them they are going to fly solo for the first time. Some are excited and some have a look of shock. After 15 hours flight training, they to have to take off, circle and land after a five minute flight.”

To find out more about Flying Time Aviation go to  www.flyingtime.co.uk or call 01273 455177.