press centre....

Shropshire Star.
Winner of the traditional Course Pork Sausage category at the 2005 National Sausage Competition...

"Success doesn't come easily in the competitive world of butchery, with top quality and taste being the two over-riding factors and for butcher Patrick Richards of Albrighton, high achievement is a reward for years of hard work in perfecting his products. He recently scooped the National Gold Award for his traditional pork (coarse) sausage from the National Federation of Meat & Food Traders.

Although he has won local awards in the past, Patrick pointed out that this latest honour is a watershed for everybody at P Richards Butchers. "My pork pies won a local gold award a few years ago, but this is our first national achievement," he explained. "It is nice to bring the award home and do something good for the village."

He added: "I've been making them for 42 years, so I should have a good idea of how to do it properly!" Naturally enough, Patrick's business doesn't just concentrate on award-winning sausages - he also produces a range of impressive options. He is especially proud of his range of home-made products, all of which are made from local ingredients. He said: "We produce all our own pies, pork, bacon, sausages and cooked meats.

"We are traditional butchers who use Shropshire-grown lambs and pork - as well as being a licensed game dealer." Patrick's chief supplier of pork and lamb - Benbows of Much Wenlock - is renowned for offering quality meat. Indeed, he went on to say that customers respond well to his policy of using produce from such well-known suppliers.

"People are much more responsive after seeing TV coverage about locally-made items," he pointed out. "Our customers know the firms that supply us and often say that they are very happy to have meat from such quality sources." He added: "Buying local is better because the animals don''t travel so far - foot and mouth highlighted how cattle is often dragged all around the country."

Patrick went on to say that peace of mind is also a reason for looking close to home when it comes to choosing a supplier. "All of our products can be traced back to the local producers," he explained. "Our wholesaler deals with the farms direct and knows which carcasses we will like."

sausages.com.
Shropshire butcher wins gold...

A Shropshire butchers is celebrating after beating off competition from rivals across the country to scoop an award.

Patrick Richards, owner of P Richards Butchers in Albrighton, took the gold award for his traditional pork coarse sausage at the National Federation of Meat and Food Traders product evaluations.

The competition was held at Telford exhibition centre on 7 September. Mr Richards was presented with a trophy, certificate and rose bowl.

Mr Richards said "We are very proud at having achieved the status of National winner in this event, which is open to all UK retail butchers but most of all we are pleased to be bringing this award to our customers in Albrighton who often tell us they are the best sausages they have ever tasted".

Bridgnorth Journal.
Best Bangers in Britain...

Sausages from an Albrighton butcher are the best in Britain - and that's official!

Patrick Richards has won a number of top honours in the national trade organisation, the Guild of Q Butchers, 'Smithfield Awards' for 2005.

In addition to picking up 2 golds and a silver, Patrick won a coveted Diamond Award for the gold-winning plain pork sausage - the best in the sausage category.

He also took the gold for his pork and black pudding sausages, and silver for the pork with caramelised onion variety.

Patrick said: "As a member of the Guild of Q Butchers we aspire to the highest standards in the trade and to win a Diamond Smithfield Award is a tremendous honour."

"We were thrilled to do so well in the 2005 product evaluation and our customers can look forward in 2006 and beyond to enjoying some award-winning products."

The awards were presented at a special lunch in Butchers Hall, London, by celebrity chef Nick Nairn.

The Smithfield Awards are among the most prestigious in the meat industry, and more than 300 entries from independent butchers all over Britain were judged.

Shropshire Star
Butchers' delight over clutch of gold awards...

Butchers Patrick and Gaynor Richards from Albrighton are celebrating top prizes in a competition.

The couple, who run P Richards butchers in High street Albrighton, scooped three gold, two silver and four bronze awards at the contest held by the Guild of Q Butchers.

The three golds were for their traditional coarse pork sausages, home dry-cured bacon and Wrekin white savoury lamb crumble.

Mr Richards said: "As a member of the Guild of Q Butchers, winning a Smithfield award is a great honour.

"Q Butchers aspire to the highest standards in the trade and we are thrilled to have done so well in this year's product evaluation. Our customers will be delighted to know they are enjoying award-winning products."

The Richards, who have been at the shop for 46 yeas, last year won several titles at the Smithfield Awards and their traditional coarse sausage earned them a gold from the National Federation of Meat and Food Traders.

The Richards produce their own pies, bacon, sausages and cooked meats, use Shropshire-grown lambs and pork and are licensed game dealers.