It’s hard to believe we are in the middle of May already. This is just a short newsletter to keep you up to date with what has been happening and future events in The Old Post Office Tea Room, Pantry and Gift Shop.

We have recently installed a new digital slide show in the foyer detailing the history and restoration of the Old Post Office. There are old pictures and interesting facts so please have a look next time you visit and you might even see someone you know!

As always The Old Post Office Tea Room continues to support Kilmood Art Club and will have a new exhibition in the Garden Room throughout the month of July and August. This will showcase local artists and their wonderful talents. Their work always creates a great background while you enjoy breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea with us.

In the Gift shop, we have always got new and interesting pieces for you to buy. For the month of May The Old Post Office are offering a free scarf up to  the value of £20 with any purchase of our fabulous 100% recycled leather Paper Think handbags. Paper Thinks has two main concepts. Their first is colour. They believe that everyone has the right to pick the colour that influences them the most and their second is ‘Think Green’. This represents their love for the environment and the surroundings we live in, which is why they love 100% recycled leather. So their products fit nicely in the shop as they are also involved with Green Tourism.
Also in the shop they are pleased to be stocking items Flax Fox. Flax Fox is hand drawn impressions of memorable places printed on tea towels, mugs and postcards. Great gift ideas for someone living aboard.

The Pantry continuously has a good range of fresh food, made daily for you to enjoy at home. Throughout July they are encouraging you to ‘Shop local, support local, enjoy local’. To help do this if you spend over £20 in our pantry you can enjoy a free coffee and scone in their tea room, just show your receipt at the till.

For younger visitors in the summer months there is a new Kiddies Trail around the grounds. Some little creatures have to be found in order for the treasure be obtained. Hopefully the weather will hold and everyone can enjoy some fun in the sun. The Kiddies Trail fun sheet are available in the front foyer from mid to late June.

With Royal County Down hosting golfs Irish Open remember that they are on the Comber to Killinchy/Killyleagh Road (A56) leading to Downpatrick and Newcastle why not call in and enjoy something healthy or hearty from their breakfast menu to set you up for a day watching some of the world’s best golfers.

Finally The Old Post Office Lisbane are on Facebook and regularly post offers and giveaways so please ‘Like’ their page and keep up to date.

Alison

 

Some of our colourful Paper thinks Handbags.

Gift Vouchers always available.

 

 

Hannan Meats has been recognised in the illustrious Belfast Telegraph Northern Ireland Business Awards, in association with British Airways. The Moira based company picked up the award for Excellence in Innovation which was sponsored by the Federation of Small Businesses.
As an independent producer, processor, wholesaler and distributor to the foodservice in Northern Ireland, Hannan’s has changed the way quality meat is being sourced through helping to establish a unique producer group made up of 58 farmers from across Northern Ireland.
More recently, the company’s innovative approach is reflected in its development of an inimitable salt ageing process which introduced two Himalayan Salt Chambers – a first in Northern Ireland.
Hosted by BBC’s Wendy Austin, over 350 people attended the awards at the Culloden Hotel, Holywood where after dinner guests were mesmerised by local mentalist David Meade.
Other winners on the evening included:
1 Excellence in Marketing sponsored by AGE NI Insurance and Personal Alarms
Winner – 3fivetwo Group
2 Excellence in Exporting sponsored by Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Winner – AJ Power Ltd
3 Excellence in the Development of Management and Leadership, sponsored by the Department for Employment & Learning
Winner – Allstate NI
4 Excellence in Innovation sponsored by Federation of Small Businesses
Winner – Hannan Meats
5 Outstanding Service to Business sponsored by Tughans
Winner – Peninsula Care Services
6 Best Use of Digital and / or Social Media sponsored by Saville Audio Visual
Winner – Ulster University
7 Young Businessperson of the Year sponsored by ALMAC
Winner – Gareth Loye, CEO M&M Contractors
8 Excellence in Technology sponsored by BT.
Winner – PathXL
9 Best Small / Medium Business sponsored by Volvo
Winner Novosco
10 Excellence in Corporate Social Responsibility sponsored by Asda
Winner – Coca-Cola HBC NI
11 Businessperson of the Year sponsored by British Airways
Winner – Brian Conlon, CEO First Derivatives
12 Overall Business of the Year sponsored by British Airways
Winner – Novosco

Photo Caption – Wilfred Mitchell, Federation of Small Businesses Northern Ireland Policy Chair presents Jim Hannan of Hannan Meats with the Excellence in Innovation Award. Also pictured are British Airways Ambassadors Christine Wright, left and Jayne Deasy.

Linden Foods in Dungannon, part of the Fane Valley Group, Northern Ireland’s biggest farmers’ co-operative, is helping ‘beef up’ Ulster Rugby’s bid for a home tie in the forthcoming Pro 12 league deciders against Munster and Glasgow.

The company is an Official Supplier to the squad and has been providing fresh 100 per cent local chicken fillets and rump steak for meals for players three times a week.

Niall McCool, Fane Valley Group Communications Manager, says:

“We are delighted to be playing our part in Ulster Rugby’s outstanding achievements in the Pro 12 this season. The squad’s performances to date have been very impressive, which is great for all their supporters, including Linden Foods.”

“This season was a debut year for Ulster Rugby providing their squad with breakfast/meals and for Linden Foods to be able to team up with Ulster Rugby and become Official Supplier is very rewarding. The feedback from players and management staff has been extremely encouraging and to hear that our award winning company is playing a significant role in this seasons success is a testament to the team we have at Linden Foods and our supply chain.”

“It would be fitting to see the team achieving victories over Munster and Glasgow Warriors to earn a place in the upcoming final at the Kingspan Stadium.”

Phil Pollock – Ulster Rugby, Business Development Manager

“Each season Ulster Rugby endeavour to make progress both on and off the pitch. In 2014/15 we believe we have taken great steps forward in many areas including the nutritional support, which we supply the players during each week of the training programme. These efforts have been supported by great partners including the exceptional products of Linden Foods.”

“Throughout this season Linden Foods have supplied the professional players with high quality chicken and beef proteins which allow the players the best possible requirements to support their recovery and development from a strenuous playing and training schedule.”

“We are grateful for the support and partnership which Linden Foods have supplied Ulster Rugby and we look forward to working with them in the seasons to come.”

Linden Foods is a leading Northern Ireland supplier of a range of protein meats including beef, lamb and poultry for customers including most of the leading retailers in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. An innovation-focused business, the company has won a series of awards for its meals developed for retailers such as Marks and Spencer.

Now in its third year, Tiptree World Bread Awards is seeking professional and home bakers for the 2015 competition.

Our industry judges certainly know a thing or two about judging the best loaves. On hand to taste test your bread are; George Fuller and Mike Holling of the Craft Bakers Association, Alan Clarke, Chief Executive, Scottish Bakers, Andrew Whitley, founder of The Village Bakery and Co-founder of the Real Bread Campaign and of course our Chairman, Stephen Hallam, Master Baker, and Managing Director of Dickinson & Morris.

Bread is a world food and baking it is a huge undertaking – 12 million loaves are sold every day in the UK. Along with home-baking, the phenomenon of the artisan bakery has really taken off in the last decade

Your starring roll could also be scrutinised by Charles Geary, National Chairman of the Alliance for Bakery Students and Trainees, 6 Times Champion Baker of England and also known as Mr Bread, Colin Lomax, Former Technical Manager and Baker and Hugh Weeks, Technical Consultant to the Baking Industry.

Peter Cook was our winner in 2014; his Ciabatta beat off competition from hundreds of loaves sent in from around the United Kingdom to take the title.

The awards close to entries on 31 August 2015 and the judging will take place in September. The winners will be announced in October at a harvest supper-style ceremony at St John’s Hyde Park, London.