That’s the message from Chris Lennon of Radcliffe Butchers of Malew Street in Castletown. Chris or ‘Lenny’ as he is also known is stressing this message following on from National Butchers week that was held between 15 and 20 March.

Radcliffe Butchers has been supplying the highest quality local Manx meat for over 27 years in Castletown and they pride themselves in offering the highest standards of produce, choice and personal service.

Chris commented ” It’s about building up a personal relationship with our customers. We can offer advice on the choice of meat, the right cut and also how you can prepare, carve and serve the meat to ensure that you get most satisfaction from the dish.By supporting your local butcher you are also supporting the Manx farming industry and also the local countryside and whats more, local Manx meats are packed full of flavour.”

So take the time to visit your local butcher or head to Castletown, but if you can’t, then all is not lost as soon you will be able to shop online at www.radcliffebutchers.com

Despite the wintry weather over the weekend I headed down to Radcliffe Butchers in Castletown to meet up with Zoe Thompson of Radcliffe’s and George Steriopulos of the Manx Loagthan Produce Company and Co-operative.

The tasting had been organised by Zoe who along with brother Chris have now taken on the mantle of running the family butchers from their now retired father. Both them and their staff are extremely knowledgeable and passionate about local meat and they have really built the business in Castletown to be one of the best butchers on the island.

There was a good number of people around the village on Saturday morning and a decent number taking advantage of the tasting, with Loaghtan shoulder, sausage, casserole and burger on on offer for those passing through Malew street.

George Steriopulos is a great character and a fantastic champion of the Manx Loagthan sheep after himself his wife and a small number of local farmers saved the the breed from near extinction. Now he has formed a local co-operative of farmers who are all passionate about the breed and the distinctive character that it has over conventional lamb. Manx Loagthan is much darker in colour with only 5% fat compared to 28% in conventional lamb with 15% less cholesterol. Despite it being the healthier option the lack of fat doesn’t mean lack of flavour as the natural herbage of the hillside heather and grasses all add to creating a very special and unique flavoursome meat, making it possibly the most exclusive lamb in the world which can now proudly boast the coveted PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) accreditation from the European Union.

Check out my short video here of George talking about the Manx Loaghtan Lamb special qualtities!

The Loagthtan Lamb is certainly something the Isle of Man should be very proud of and its great to see local people really trying hard to not only raise the profile of this great product both locally and further afield. All in all I think it went down really well with everyone. The butchers was certainly doing a roaring trade (but it probably would do anyway!) It was great to see people young and old sampling such a great product and giving such positive feedback. I reckon Zoe will be putting on other similar events in the future, so keep a look out. As for me, well, after tasting Loagthan many times I honestly think its one of the reasons I could never be vegetarian!

Radcliffe Butchers in Castletown will be holding a Manx Loaghtan Lamb tasting on Saturday 20th February. So make sure you get down to the butchers shop on Malew Street in Castletown for some tasty treats!

All the tasting will be taking place from 10.30am to 12 noon and you will be able to sample some delicious meats plus also have the opportunity to chat with the Island’s main producer of this uniquely Manx product. Farmer George Steriopolus will be on hand to answer any questions you have about the Isle of Man’s most famous breed of sheep and what it is that makes this healthy locally produced lamb so special

If you want to know more just call Zoe Thompson at Radcliffe Butchers on: 01624 822271.

I have a few things happening that Saturday but I am going to do my best and get down there – ohhhh I love it a bit of Manx Loaghtan sausage!

Apparently it’s British Sausage this week – you learn something new every day!

The Sausage week is being celebrated by Ratcliffe’s Butchers in Castletown and for those of you who don’t know Chris or Lenny as he is better known and his Dad, well they have been making cracking sausages for years now!

Throughout the week they will be making up a whole host of sausage recipes and trying out some new varieties incorporating local ingredients such as Manx cheese and Bushy’s beer so be sure to head on to Castletown for some tasty meaty treats. They will also be doing sampling on Friday and Saturday so I might even head down for look myself – I do love a good sausage or two, oh and smothered in Colemans English Mustard! Yum!

Bizzarely it seems that there is a British Sausage Appreciation Society that has Paul Daniels and Debbie McGee as the main endorsers… now that is bizarre!