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NEWS Worth Their Weight in Gold G ood news for local food lovers but bad news for the delivery team’s backs. Goldhill Organics' veg boxes are sure to get heavier as they are expanding their range of local, sustainable produce and launching a new website to show it all off. Goldhill are responding to a rise in demand for local produce and are now able to offer ethically produced food from small farms and artisan producers in Dorset as well as their hand-picked organic vegetables grown on the farm in Child Okeford, North Devon, which has had Soil Association certification for 25 years. You’ll now be able to get gluten-free products and a range of local, organic meat from farms with the highest animal welfare standards. As founder Jane Somper says, “The demand for locally sourced organic produce continues to grow and because of our set of close relationships with talented Dorset producers and artisan makers, we are able to offer a really exciting range of wonderful local produce to our customers.” Check out the website, which we’re proud to say we helped to create with our web building services, here at www.goldhillorganics.co.uk. 18 Christmas� Borne Fair Trade Supremacy Ethical, local and artisan - this veg ticks all the foodie boxes. Simmer Until Done more dates for your diary… DORSET FARMERS MARKETS F orget last minute internet delivery panic, the Dorset Food & Drink Christmas Fair on 28th November has to be the best shopping experience available for foodies. The setting is the Christmassy Athelhampton House and Gardens near Dorchester, where 50 of Dorset’s finest producers will be selling their products. Expect added Christmas cheers with carol singing and ideas for yuletide drinks. It’s £2.50 for adults (children are free) and this price includes entry to Athelhampton House and gardens. There’s a free park and ride from Dorchester and you can shop until you expire in the beautiful surroundings from 10am-4pm. T heir holly and ivy is full grown so it must be time for some Christmas events at Cranborne Garden Centre! Christmas in the Café has two set menu suppers being served in December. Created by head chef Declan Chubb, there’s a game based menu on 4th December and a festive meal on 21st December. Both priced at £25pp, booking is essential (ring 01725 517 248). Christmas trees grown on the Cranborne Estate are on sale on November 28th and Father Christmas will be there on 18th December. Head to www.cranbornegardencentre.co.uk for more details of their pop-up shops, carol singing and craft workshops. I t’s time to upgrade the trophy cabinet at the Symondsbury Estate, such is the influx of new awards they have been winning lately. Dorset Tourism awarded them a gold award for the Self Catering Establishment of the Year and bronze for Café and Tearoom. Add Highly Commended in the Best Independent Food Shop of the Year category of the Dorset Food Drink & Farming Awards for proof that their accommodation, café and shop are all on top of their game. The awards come four years after the estate diversified its properties to appeal to tourists. Their website – www.symondsburykitchen has more. www.menu-dorset.co.uk Get along to these great markets for lots of fresh local food direct from our talented producers. Includes seafood, cheese, vegetables, meat, bread, cakes, preserves and more. Full details at: www.thedorsetfarmersmarket. co.uk. November Sherborne - Friday 20th Wimborne - Saturday 21st Weymouth - Friday 27th December Poundbury - Saturday 5th Shaftesbury - Saturday 5th Sherborne - Sunday 6th Bridport - Saturday 12th Shaftesbury - Sunday 13th Sherborne - Friday 18th Wimborne - Saturday 19th Weymouth - Sunday 20th Dorchester - Tuesday 22nd