Food and drink
A brand new cheese shop was launched in Cowes in October against all the odds – and as a tribute to a couple ’ s shared vision .
Jenny and Richard Ahl had previously run a cheese shop called Toby ’ s in Wirksworth , Derbyshire , and when they retired to the Isle of Wight they planned to re-create the business here . Sadly , Richard died last year before their dream could be realised – but Jenny decided to go ahead alone . “ After he passed away , I needed a new adventure , and this is it ” she says . The shop is a haven for cheeselovers , with 57 cheeses in stock , from French Vacherin and Port Salut to Isle of Wight Blue and Soft , and local goats cheeses . Complementary lines include pates , biscuits and olives , pasta and lots of lovely food gifts – and at the rear of the shop is a cosy ‘ parlour ’ where customers can enjoy free tastings and perhaps a cup of tea or coffee , with donations for the late Richard ’ s favourite charity , the RNLI . Always a lover of the sea , he was a naval cadet , worked on cargo ships and then joined Cunard . When he and Jenny moved to the Island to retire , he volunteered to work in the RNLI shop in Yarmouth . Remembering her late husband Jenny says : “ Richard has been my mentor all my life , and he is now my inspiration . Toby ’ s is I hope going to be something special for Cowes and me too . At our former cheese shop , Richard was the inventor and I was the one who helped - today the roles have reversed . Richard was the expert in the cheese trade , being a consultant for cheese companies and working for the dairy industry . He worked very
closely with Morrisons to extend their ranges , developed cheese for them and helped train the staff . He also judged cheeses at the Nantwich show . Proudly Richard came home one day and said Prince Philip wanted to meet him at the Bath and West show : he proceeded to check out the facts on cheese , only to find that Prince Philip actually wanted to see his gun collection ! Richard I hope would be proud of ‘ our ’ shop in Cowes . I am proud and I hope the people of Cowes will be proud . I imagine him watching over me now with a smile on his face and thinking “ That ’ s my girl ”. Jenny added a tribute , though , to the many people who have helped her in launching the business - including family , friends , strangers , colleagues , new friends and other traders . The shop is open from Wednesday to Saturday and is well worth a visit .
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