MELTON MOWBRAY PORK PIE RECIPE | MELTON MOWBRAY PORK PIE RECIPE MELTON MOWBRAY PORK PIE RECIPE Melton Mowbray Pork Pie Recipe melton mowbray Melton Mowbray is a town in the Melton borough of Leicestershire, England. It is to the northeast of Leicester, and southeast of Nottingham. The town lies along the course of both the River Eye and the River Wreake and currently has a population of 25,554. pork pie small pie filled with minced seasoned pork A pork pie hat or porkpie hat is a type of hat made of felt or, less commonly, straw. It is somewhat similar to a trilby or a fedora, but with a flat top. The crown is short and has an indentation all the way around, instead of the pinch crown typically seen on fedoras and homburgs. A pork pie is a traditional British meat pie. It consists of roughly chopped pork and pork jelly sealed in a hot water crust pastry. It is normally eaten cold as a snack or as part of a meal.

recipe directions for making something A set of instructions for preparing a particular dish, including a list of the ingredients required Something which is likely to lead to a particular outcome A medical prescription The Recipe is the third studio album by American rapper Mack 10, released October 6, 1998 on Priority and Hoo-Bangin’ Records. It peaked at number 6 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and at number 15 on the Billboard 200.. All Media Guide, LLC. Retrieved on 2010-01-01. A recipe is a set of instructions that describe how to prepare or make something, especially a culinary dish. melton mowbray pork pie recipe – The Quorndon The Quorndon Hounds, or, A Virginian at Melton Mowbray This is a pre-1923 historical reproduction that was curated for quality. Quality assurance was conducted on each of these books in an attempt to remove books with imperfections introduced by the digitization process. Though we have made best efforts – the books may have occasional errors that do not impede the reading experience.

We believe this work is culturally important and have elected to bring the book back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. This text refers to the Bibliobazaar edition. Mrs King's Pork Pie Back to my starting point of British Things. Looks kinda gross, but these are the best Melton Mowbray pork pie I’ve tasted. I get them from Borough Market. The Melton Mowbray Pork Pie uses uncured meat, giving the meat in a Melton pie a grey colour. Hand formed with no mould, a Melton Mowbray pie also commonly has a hand-formed crust. This style of production gives the Melton Mowbray pie a slightly irregular in shape form after baking, as with any hand-made pie. In light of the premium price of the Melton Mowbray pie, the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie Association applied for protection under the European "Protected designation of origin" laws as a result of the increasing production of Melton Mowbray style pies by large commercial companies in factories far from Melton Mowbray, and recipes that deviated from the original uncured pork form. Protection was granted on 4 April 2008.

Pork Pie pickles little mustard good irish beer crusty bread and butter and good crack Hot water pastry was used in this special pork pie. How they used to be made before mass production ruined them. This was taken just before the jelly was added into the pie. The recipe has been developed over 5 years by myself using the basis from an old 18th century book. The secret ingredient I added and it works. Melton Mowbray pies can step down melton mowbray pork pie recipe The aim and object of this little volume is to lay before my sporting friends and the public in general, to whom I have so often discoursed and with so kindly hearers concerning the Field Sports of A merica, a slight sketch of English Fox-hunting the sport of sports, par excellence, and that sport carried to its acme as it is no where but with the Quorndon hounds and at Melton Mowbray. The use of real names and characters will be excused, because nothing other than to the credit of those specially named is herein contained the identity of those unpleasantly depicted is veiled under misnomers.

For the rest the merit of the sketch, if it have any, lies in its perfect truthfulness. Men, horses, dogs, and scenery are as they were at Melton when I was there last, three and twenty years ago. HENRY WM. HERBERT. (Typographical errors above are due to OCR software and don’t occur in the book.) About the Publisher Forgotten Books is a publisher of historical writings, such as: Philosophy, Classics, Science, Religion, History, Folklore and Mythology. Forgotten Books’ Classic Reprint Series utilizes the latest technology to regenerate facsimiles of historically important writings. Careful attention has been made to accurately preserve the original format of each page whilst digitally enhancing the aged text. Read books online for free at Leeson Family Butchers, makers of authentic Melton Mowbray Pork Pies - Tel: 01572 770244 About Us ... At Leeson Family Butchers we pride ourselves on selling what we strongly believe to be some of the best, tastiest, mouth-watering flavoursome food to be produced in the UK.

From our gold medal, prize winning Melton Mowbray Pork Pies created by using deliciously flavoured jelly, mouth-watering pastry and succulent. All of our pork pies are made to modern standards using recipes that have passed down through generations of pie makers. We are constantly 'trying & tweaking' my recipes and are always asking our customer for feedback. We now have a pork pie that I'm nearly happy with, but a good pie maker will never be 100% happy! At Lessons we always say to people if this isn't the best pie you've had in last few years, we will give you your money back ... to date ... nobody has asked for it back! We cure all our own bacon, etc and do not buy anything in from other manufactures We make all of our own pies, pasties, sausage rolls and scotch eggs. As fast as we make them they seem to sell out ...much to manufacturing butchers frustration. Our other meat products also have recipes that are known only to the Leeson Family! The Melton Mowbray pork pie is named after a town in Leicestershire. Oakham was before regaining its own county status, part of this fine and food rich county.

Melton pies became popular among fox hunters in the area during the late nineteenth century. The uncured meat of a Melton pie is grey in colour when cooked, not pink as some mass produced products are; and the meat is chopped, rather than minced. The pie is then made with a hand-formed crust. This style of production gives the pie a slightly irregular shape after baking. As the pies are baked free-standing, the sides can bow out, they are not 100% vertical like pies baked in pre-shaped moulds. In light of the premium price of the Melton Mowbray pie, the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie Association applied for protection under the European "Protected designation of origin" laws. As a result of the increasing production of Melton Mowbray-style pies by large commercial companies in factories far from Melton Mowbray, and recipes that deviated from the original uncured pork form. EU Protection was granted on 4 April 2008, with the result that only pies made within a designated zone around Melton, and using the traditional recipe including uncured pork, are allowed to carry the Melton Mowbray name on their packaging, as we have.

To purchase any of our range of Melton Mowbray Pork Pies, fresh cooked meats, cheeses or preserves online, click here ... Leeson Family Butchers, 31 High Street, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 6AH. Melton_Mowbray : definition of Melton_Mowbray and synonyms of Melton_Mowbray (English) Toponymy Melton Mowbray's imposing St Mary's church The name Melton comes from the early English word Medeltone – meaning 'Middletown surrounded by small hamlets' (and therefore has the same origin as places called Milton and Middleton). Mowbray is a Norman family name – the name of early Lords of the Manor – namely Robert de Mowbray . Early history In and around Melton, there are 28 scheduled ancient monuments, around 705 buildings listed as having special architectural or historical interest, 16 sites of special scientific interest, and several deserted village sites. [2] [3] [4] There is industrial archaeology including the Grantham Canal and the remains of the Melton Mowbray Navigation .

Windmill sites, ironstone working and smelting archaeological evidence suggest that Melton borough was densely populated in Bronze and Iron Ages. Many small village communities existed and strategic points at Burrough Hill and Belvoir were fortified. There is also evidence to suggest that the site of Melton Mowbray in the Wreake Valley was inhabited before Roman occupation (43A.D). [5] Roman times In Roman times, due to the close proximity of the Fosse Way and other important Roman roads, military centres were set up at Leicester and Lincoln; and intermediate camps were also established, for example, Six Hills on the Fosse Way. Other Roman track ways in the locality passed north of Melton along the top of the vale of Belvoir scarp; they linked Market Harborough to Belvoir, and linked the Fosse Way to Oakham and Stamford . Danelaw Evidence of settlement throughout Saxon and Danelaw period (8th/9th centuries) is reflected in many place names. Along the Wreake Valley, the Danish suffix "by" is common, as is evident in Asfordby, Dalby, Frisby, Hoby, Rearsby and Gaddesby.

In addition, a cemetery of 50–60 graves, of Pagan Saxon origin, was found in Melton Mowbray. Although most villages and their churches, had origins before the Norman Conquest of 1066, stone crosses at Asfordby and Sproxton churches and Anglo-Saxon cemeteries as found at Goadby Marwood, Sysonby and Stapleford, are certainly pre-Conquest.

Melton Mowbray itself had six recorded crosses the construction of which spanned several centuries: (i) Kettleby Cross, (close to the present Total filling station near the junction of Dalby Road to the Leicester Road), (ii) Sheep Cross, on what was Spital End, (now Nottingham Street/Park Road Junction, (iii) Corn Cross at the Swine Lane/Spittle End junction, (reconstructed and reinstated on the Nottingham St/High St junction in 1996 as a memorial to the Royal Army Veterinary Corps ), (iv) Butter Cross or High Cross, at the west end of Beast Market,(again reconstructed from partial remains of the original Saxon cross in 1986/7 in the Market Place), (v) Sage Cross, at the East end of the Beast Market close to Salt gate,(on Sherrard Street opposite Sage Cross Street), and (vi) Thorpe Cross at the end of Saltgate (near the junction of Thorps Road and Saxby Road). All the original crosses were removed or destroyed during the reformation and other periods of iconoclasm or simply to make room for traffic or other development.

[6] Post conquest The effects of the Norman conquest are recorded in the 1086 Domesday Book . This document indicates that settlements at Long Clawson and Bottesford were of noteworthy size; and that Melton Mowbray was a thriving market town of some 200 inhabitants, with weekly markets, two water mills and two priests. The water mills, still in use up to the 18th century, are remembered by the present names of Beckmill Court and Mill Street. Melton Mowbray has been a market town for over 1,000 years. Recorded as Leicestershire's only market in the 1086 Domesday Survey , it is the third oldest market in England. Tuesday has been market day ever since royal approval was given in 1324. The market was established with tolls before 1077. Legacies from the Medieval period include consolidation of village and market town patterns; in Melton Mowbray, Bottesford, Wymondham, and Waltham-on-the-Wolds. The latter had a market in medieval times that continued until 1921, and an annual fair of horses and cattle.

Many buildings in Melton Market Place, Nottingham Street, Church Lane, King Street and Sherrard Street have ancient foundations. Alterations to number 16 Church Street revealed a medieval circular stone wall subjected to considerable heat. This is probably the `Manor Oven' mentioned in 13th century documents. Surveys of 5 King Street show it to be part of an early medieval open-halled house. It may be part of the castle or fortified Manor of the Mowbrays, which existed in the 14th century. King Richard and King John visited the town and may have stayed at an earlier castle. In 1549 following the Dissolution of the chantries, monasteries and religious guilds, church plate was sold and land purchased for the town. Resulting rents were used to maintain Melton School; first recorded in 1347 and one of the oldest educational establishments in Britain. Funds were also used to maintain roads, bridges and to repair the church clock. Civil War During the English Civil War , Melton was a Roundhead garrison commanded by a Colonel Rossiter.

Two battles were fought in the town: in November 1643, Royalists caught the garrison unaware and carried away prisoners and booty; in February 1645, Sir Marmaduke Langdale , commanding a Royalist force of 1,500 men, inflicted severe losses on the Roundheads. Around 300 men were said to have been killed. According to legend a hillside where the battle was thought to have been fought was ankle deep in blood, hence the name 'Ankle Hill'. However, this name is mentioned in documents pre-dating the Civil War. Furthermore, in the past, the names of Dalby Road and Ankle Hill have been switched around, thus confusing the true site of the battle. Local notable families seem to have had divided loyalties, although the War ended with great rejoicings outside the "Limes" in Sherrard Street, home of Sir Henry Hudson. His father, Robert Hudson founded the "Maison Dieu" almshouses opposite the Church in 1640, which complement the stone built "Anne of Cleves House" opposite. This was built in 1384 and housed chantry priests until the Dissolution.

It was then included in the estates of Anne of Cleves by Henry VIII , as a divorce settlement in the 16th century, although there is local debate about whether she ever stayed there or not. Anne of Cleves' house is now a public house which is owned by Everards Brewery , a Leicester-based brewery. RAF Melton Mowbray Between 1942 and 1964, RAF Melton Mowbray was situated to the south of the village, towards Great Dalby . The Class A airfield was originally intended for aircraft maintenance but was taken over by Transport Command. Many types of aircraft were flown from the airfield, including Spitfire, Mosquito, Corsair, Vengeance, Hellcat, Dakota and Halifax aircraft, plus Horsa and Hadrian gliders. Melton Mowbray served as a Thor Strategic missile site between 1958 and 1963, when 254(SM) Squadron operated a flight of three missiles from the base. [7] The airfield now houses a small industrial estate and much of the original infrastructure has survived. [8] The airfield regularly hosts large "bank holiday" markets.

Pork pies and Stilton cheese The round corner of a blue Stilton cheese, made in the traditional cylindrical shape. Dickinson and Morris Pie Shop Stilton cheese originated near Melton Mowbray, and is still made in the town today. Stilton cheese takes its name from the village of Stilton , 80 miles north of London, where it was marketed to travellers on the Great North Road , though no Stilton was ever made there. Although supermarkets routinely carry pork pies with the label "Melton Mowbray", there is in fact a specific "hand-raising" process and recipe which marks a pie as a Melton Mowbray pork pie. In the centre of Melton, on Nottingham Street, there is Dickinsons & Morris 's "ye olde pork pie shoppe," where one can buy true Melton pork pies. However these pork pies are not made in the shop, as some think, they are now made in a factory outside of town. On 4 April 2008 the European Union awarded the Melton Mowbray pork pie Protected Geographical Indication status, following a long-standing application made by the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie Association .

As a result of this ruling only pies made within a designated zone around Melton, and using uncured pork, are allowed to carry the Melton Mowbray name on their packaging. [9] "Painting the town red" The Fox Hunting crowd also left their mark on the town in a different way, through their "high jinks". The phrase painting the town red is said to have originated in Melton back in 1837. Out celebrating a successful hunt, the Marquess of Waterford and his hunting party found several tins of red paint which they daubed liberally on to the buildings of the High Street, some traces of which can still be seen on doors of older buildings in the town. There is also a picture labelled "A Spree at Melton Mowbray." and subtitled "or doing the Thing in a Sporting-like manner". It is dated 1837, the same date as the Marquess' event. It appears to take place on what is now called Leicester Street and depicts men in hunting clothes climbing on Swan Porch (a building in the market place), fighting and a gentleman apparently being robbed. There is no mention of any red paint.

Of course this sort of thing may have been common in Melton Mowbray at this time and there is no evidence that the picture depicts the same events. What is certain is that the physical evidence appears to support the town was painted red. However this does not necessarily mean that the phrase came from the event, and according to the Oxford English Dictionary, the phrase originated in the United States in the late nineteenth century. [10] The Melton Mowbray event was recorded as happening in the early hours of 6 April 1837. It was later recorded in the London Examiner. Henry Alken's pictures A Spree at Melton Mowbray and Larking at the Grantham Tollgate are said to illustrate the event. The events were depicted in a play called The Meltonians at The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in 1838. [Note 1] Melton cloth Melton Mowbray is home to Melton cloth (first mentioned in 1823), which is the familiar tight-woven woollen cloth which is heavily milled, and a nap raised so as to form a short, dense, non-lustrous pile .

Sailors' pea coats are traditionally made of Melton cloth, the universal workmans' donkey jackets of Britain and Ireland and in North America, loggers' "cruising jackets" and Mackinaws . Governance This section requires expansion . Melton shares a Member of Parliament (currently Alan Duncan from the Conservatives ) with Rutland , which together form the appropriately named " Rutland and Melton " parliamentary constituency. Melton Mowbray Town Estate Melton Mowbray is home to a rare example of early town government. The Melton Mowbray Town Estate was founded at the time of the Reformation, in 1549, when two townsfolk sold gold sequestered from the church and bought land to be held in trust for all inhabitants. The Town Estate provided early forms of education, the first street lighting, and today owns and operates the town's parks and sportsgrounds, and the town's market. The Town Estate is not a public body but a charitable trust run by 14 feoffees (trustees). [11] Melton Town Estate has been criticised for a lack of openness and in 2009, was the subject of a BBC Inside Out programme.

[12] The feoffees' decision not to participate in the programme, according to the Charity Commission , "left the impression that they were not open about their business and did not feel accountable to the public for their actions". [13] Demography This section requires expansion . Melton Mowbray had only 1766 inhabitants in 1801, but in 1831 they had increased to 3327, in 1841 to 3740, in 1851 to 4434, and in 1861 to 4436. The Melton Mowbray official web site's About page lists the current (2009) population of the town as 25,276, and that of Melton Borough as 46,861. Economy Prior to 1960, the Production Engineering Research Association of Great Britain ( PERA ) came to the town on Nottingham Road and employed around four hundred people in supporting research and development in industry. It is also home to the East Midlands Manufacturing Advisory Service .

In 2000, the East Midlands Regional Assembly ( EMRA ) was based in a building also on Nottingham Road. Petfoods came to the town in 1951 as Chappie Ltd, employing at its peak over two thousand people, it now employs around one thousand. It changed its name Petfoods in 1957, Pedigree Petfoods in 1972 and most recently Masterfoods in January 2002. At Melton, it makes four million items of petfood every day, which is less than it used to. Masterfoods now have their UK headquarters close to Melton at Waltham-on-the-Wolds . Landmarks Anne of Cleves Pub Stapleford_Miniature_Railway Melton Carnegie Museum is based in Melton Mowbray. The museum has recently been refurbished and visitors can expect a "hands on", audio visual family orientated experience showing the history and importance of the town. Included are sounds from the ages, a history of the hunt, a preserved phone box, a buried (underfoot and perspex)Saxon and shrapnel from WWII. Melton Mowbray is renowned for its music-making.

The Melton Band (a traditional British-style brass band) can trace its directors back to 1856 and was, until recently, called Melton Borough Band. The colourful Melton Mowbray Toy Soldiers Marching Band was formed in 1936 and Happy Jazz – a dixieland jazz band – has been performing in the town since 1996. There is also the Melton Mowbray Tally Ho Band, formed in 1936, and Tornado Brass, a mixed brass and woodwind group, was founded in the 1980s. Melton has several pubs, some of which, like the Generous Britain (affectionately known as the Jenny B) continue to encourage new live music [14] and the Noels Arms regularly have experienced local bands playing. [15] There are several other pubs in Melton surviving the latest recession, including one of the oldest establishments in the area, The Anne of Cleves. This ancient building on Burton Street close to St Mary's church has features dating from the early 14th century.

Originally home to Chantry Monks the building was taken during the dissolution and given, by Henry VIII to Anne of Cleves as part of the divorce settlement. [16] The town boasts an unusual cinema, The Regal, in King Street in the centre of the town. This is a family run picture house which remains in business despite the rise of the huge "Showcase" groups, providing up to date shows with a personal touch. The building itself is a remarkably preserved purpose-built theatre complete with period interior design, sumptuous colours with winding staircases and fancy plasterwork. [17] Concerts have been played in the carousel bandstand in Melton Mowbray Park since August 1909. There is still a series of concerts on summer Sundays. Melton has its own radio station 103 The Eye which broadcasts to Melton Borough and the Vale of Belvoir, including part of Rushcliffe Borough, on 103 FM as well as worldwide on the internet via its website When the station launched in 2005 it was the first in the UK to go on the air under the new tier of community radio licensed by the broadcasting regulator OFCOM.

The station has since won a number of awards for its work. It is named after the River Eye. The historic Stapleford Miniature Railway built in 1958 is a private steam hauled passenger railway at Stapleford Park around three miles to the east of Melton Mowbray. Famous for its fleet of steam locos and scenic location, it attracts thousands of visitors and tourists during occasional summer openings for charity. It is of the same 10/4" gauge as the Town Estates small railway that runs in an oval around play close park in Melton, albeit a lot longer. Also half a mile to the north east of Melton is the theme park "Twin Lakes" . A locally popular venue this park provides a whole host of family and children's attractions and rides. [18] Melton's Waterfield Leisure Pools offer a range of activities, including a well-equipped gym and fitness suite as well as swimming. [19] The library in Wilton Road is close to the town centre [20] and adjacent is Melton Theatre, part of Brooksby Melton College , on the junction with Asfordby Road.

The theatre first opened in 1976, has recently been refurbished and continues to provide a wide variety of entertainment. In the past few years, it has produced remarkable ballet, opera, and dramatic plays of many types, and provided a venue for many top class bands and acts, pantomime and art displays. It has ample parking, is fully licensed and is a most pleasant place to visit. [21] There is a fire station, a police station, and a hospital, with St Mary's maternity centre, The War Memorial Hospital off Ankle Hill, originally Wyndham Lodge donated to the town in 1920 by Col Richard Dalgleish, has, in 2010, been sold to help fund St Mary's hospital. Education King Edward VII School, Melton Mowbray The secondary schools in Melton are Long Field School and John Ferneley College, which take students aged 11 to 16, and the MV16 Centre (Melton Vale Post 16 Centre) for Sixth Formers.

The town has several primary schools - Brownlow, Grove, St Francis, St Mary's, Sherard and Swallowdale - while the Birchwood Special School caters for young people of primary and secondary school age. Melton's largest school used to be the King Edward VII which at one time had around 2,000 pupils aged between 11 and 19. It was founded as a Grammar School in 1910, became comprehensive in the late 1960s and closed recently after reaching its centenary. Brooksby Melton College which provides vocational, further and higher education in a wide range of subjects has a campus on Asfordby Road in Melton plus a smaller annexe on King Street. These facilities complement those on the college's Brooksby campus six miles out of the town. Transport Melton railway station is on the line from Birmingham to Stansted Airport via Leicester , Peterborough and Cambridge . Trains run hourly in either direction. The service is supplemented with additional trains in the peak on route to/from Nottingham , Norwich and Sleaford . The station is managed by East Midlands Trains although most services are operated by CrossCountry .

CrossCountry intend to enhance their service gradually to half-hourly on this route. Since early 2009 East Midlands Trains have offered a single daily journey from Melton Mowbray to London St Pancras and return. This is notable for being the first regular passenger service to cross the spectacular and historic Welland Viaduct since 1966. In 2010, the company introduced a single daily journey to Derby and return. The majority of bus services in Melton Mowbray are provided by Centrebus. Services link Melton Mowbray with Leicester , Nottingham , Oakham and other regional centres, as well as many of the surrounding villages. Sport Speedway racing was staged at the Greyhound Stadium in Melton Mowbray in 1949. The cinder track was laid before and lifted after each meeting. The events, staged on a Sunday, fell foul of the Lord's Day Observance Society for a short time. The town is also home to one rugby club aptly named Melton Rugby club who compete in Midlands 3 East (North) . The town has its own Sunday Football League in which some 15 teams compete every Sunday.

Asfordby Hill is home to Holwell Sports who play in the Leicestershire Senior League premier division. Notable people Melton Mowbray - The Full Wiki The Full Wiki Note: Many of our articles have direct quotes from sources you can cite, within the Wikipedia article! This article doesn't yet, but we're working on it! See more info or our list of citable articles . Related top topics List of places: UK • England • Leicestershire Melton Mowbray is a town in the Melton borough of Leicestershire , England . It is 14.5 miles (23 km) to the northeast of Leicester , and 18 miles (29 km) southeast of Nottingham . The town lies along the course of both the River Eye and the River Wreake and currently has a population of 25,554. [1] Promoted as the "Rural Capital of Food", Melton Mowbray is perhaps best-known for its culinary specialities, being the home of the eponymous pork pie and one of the homes of Stilton cheese .

Contents Advertisements Toponymy The name Melton comes from the early English word Medeltone - meaning 'Middletown surrounded by small hamlets' (and therefore has the same origin as places called Milton and Middleton). Mowbray is a Norman family name - the name of early Lords of the Manor - namely Robert de Mowbray . Early history In and around Melton, there are 28 scheduled ancient monuments, around 705 buildings listed as having special architectural or historical interest, 16 sites of special scientific interest, and at least 12 deserted village sites.[citation needed] There is industrial archaeology including the Grantham Canal and the remains of the Melton Mowbray Navigation . Windmill sites, ironstone working and smelting archeological evidence suggest that Melton borough was densely populated in Bronze and Iron Ages. Many small village communities existed and strategic points at Burrough Hill and Belvoir were fortified. There is also evidence to suggest that the site of Melton Mowbray in the Wreake Valley was inhabited before Roman occupation (43A.D).

Roman times In Roman times, due to the close proximity of the Fosse Way and other important Roman roads, military centres were set up at Leicester and Lincoln; and intermediate camps were also established, for example, Six Hills on the Fosse Way. Other Roman track ways in the locality passed north of Melton along the top of the vale of Belvoir scarp; they linked Market Harborough to Belvoir, and linked the Fosse Way to Oakham and Stamford . Danelaw Evidence of settlement throughout Saxon and Danelaw period (8th/9th centuries) is reflected in many place names. Along the Wreake Valley, the Danish suffix "by" is common, as is evident in Asfordby, Dalby, Frisby, Hoby, Rearsby and Gaddesby. In addition, a cemetery of 50-60 graves, of Pagan Saxon origin, was found in Melton Mowbray.

Although most villages and their churches, had origins before the Norman Conquest of 1066, stone crosses at Asfordby and Sproxton churches and Anglo-Saxon cemeteries as found at Goadby Marwood, Sysonby and Stapleford, are certainly pre-Conquest. Post conquest The effects of the Norman conquest are recorded in the 1086 Domesday Book . This document indicates that settlements at Long Clawson and Bottesford were of noteworthy size; and that Melton Mowbray was a thriving market town of some 200 inhabitants, with weekly markets, two water mills and two priests. The water mills, still in use up to the 18th century, are remembered by the present names of Beckmill Court and Mill Street. Melton Mowbray has been a market town for over 1,000 years. Recorded as Leicestershire's only market in the 1086 Domesday Survey , it is the third oldest market in England. Tuesday has been market day ever since royal approval was given in 1324. The market was established with tolls before 1077.

Legacies from the Medieval period include consolidation of village and market town patterns; in Melton Mowbray, Bottesford, Wymondham, and Waltham-on-the-Wolds. The latter had a market in medieval times that continued until 1921, and an annual fair of horses and cattle. Many buildings in Melton Market Place, Nottingham Street, Church Lane, King Street and Sherrard Street have ancient foundations. Alterations to number 16 Church Street revealed a medieval circular stone wall subjected to considerable heat. This is probably the `Manor Oven' mentioned in 13th century documents. Surveys of 5 King Street show it to be part of an early medieval open-halled house. It may be part of the castle or fortified Manor of the Mowbrays, which existed in the 14th century. King Richard and King John visited the town and may have stayed at an earlier castle. In 1549 following the Dissolution of the chantries, monasteries and religious guilds, church plate was sold and land purchased for the town.

Resulting rents were used to maintain Melton School; first recorded in 1347 and one of the oldest educational establishments in Britain. Funds were also used to maintain roads, bridges and to repair the church clock. Civil War During the English Civil War , Melton was a Roundhead garrison commanded by a Colonel Rossiter. Two battles were fought in the town: in November, 1643, Royalists caught the garrison unaware and carried away prisoners and booty; in February, 1645, Sir Marmaduke Langdale , commanding a Royalist force of 1,500 men, inflicted severe losses on the Roundheads. Around 300 men were said to have been killed. According to legend a hillside where the battle was thought to have been fought was ankle deep in blood, hence the name 'Ankle Hill'. However, this name is mentioned in documents pre-dating the Civil War. Furthermore, in the past, the names of Dalby Road and Ankle Hill have been switched around, thus confusing the true site of the battle.

Local notable families seem to have had divided loyalties, although the War ended with great rejoicings outside the "Limes" in Sherrard Street, home of Sir Henry Hudson. His father, Robert Hudson founded the "Maison Dieu" almshouses opposite the Church in 1640, which complement the stone built "Anne of Cleves House" opposite. This was built in 1384 and housed chantry priests until the Dissolution. It was then included in the estates of Anne of Cleves by Henry VIII , as a divorce settlement in the 16th century, although there is local debate about whether she ever stayed there or not. Anne of Cleves' house is now a public house which is owned by Everards Brewery , a Leicester-based brewery. Pork pies and Stilton cheese The round corner of a blue Stilton cheese, made in the traditional cylindrical shape. Dickinson and Morris Pie Shop Stilton cheese originated near Melton Mowbray, and is still made in the town today.

Stilton cheese takes its name from the village of Stilton, 80 miles north of London, where it was marketed to travellers on the Great North Road , though no Stilton was ever made there. Although supermarkets routinely carry Pork pie with the label "Melton Mowbray", there is in fact a specific "hand-raising" process and recipe which marks a pie as a Melton Mowbray pork pie. In the centre of Melton, on Nottingham Street, there is a "ye olde pork pie shoppe" (Dickinsons & Morris) where one can buy true Melton pork pies. However these pork pies are not made in the shop, as some think, they are now made in a factory outside of town. On 4 April 2008 the European Union awarded the Melton Mowbray pork pie Protected Geographical Indication status, following a long-standing application made by the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie Association . As a result of this ruling only pies made within a designated zone around Melton, and using uncured pork, are allowed to carry the Melton Mowbray name on their packaging.

[2] "Painting the town red" The Fox Hunting crowd also left their mark on the town in a different way, through their "high jinks". The phrase painting the town red is said to have originated in Melton back in 1837. Out celebrating a successful hunt, the Marquess of Waterford and his hunting party found several tins of red paint which they daubed liberally on to the buildings of the High Street, some traces of which can still be seen on doors of older buildings in the town. Other sources report the phrase originated in 1880s America. When persons from the red light district frequented other parts of the town, they were said to be 'painting the town red' by bringing their questionable activities and therefore associated colour with them. The earliest known printed record can be found in the New York Times from July 1883; used by the drunken Democrats in Newark. There are other references dating from around this time and they all are either from America or describe events in America. There is also a picture labelled "A Spree at Melton Mowbray." and subtitled "or doing the Thing in a Sporting-like manner".

It is dated 1837, the same date as the Marquess' event. It appears to take place on what is now called Leicester Street and depicts men in hunting clothes climbing on Swan Porch (a building in the market place), fighting and a gentlemen apparently being robbed. There is no mention of any red paint. Of course this sort of thing may have been common in Melton Mowbray at this time and there is no evidence that the picture depicts the same events. What is certain is that the physical evidence appears to support the town was painted red. However this does not necessarily mean that the phrase came from the event. The Melton Mowbray event was recorded as happening in the early hours of 6 April 1837. It was later recorded in the London Examiner. Henry Alken's pictures A Spree at Melton Mowbray and Larking at the Grantham Tollgate are said to illustrate the event. They can be seen at and The events were depicted in a play called The Meltonians at The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in 1838.

Melton cloth Melton Mowbray is home to Melton cloth (first mentioned in 1823), which is the familiar tight-woven woollen cloth which is heavily milled, and a nap raised so as to form a short, dense, non-lustrous pile . Sailors ' pea coats are traditionally made of Melton cloth, the universal workmans' donkey jackets of Britain and Ireland and in North America, loggers' "cruising jackets" and Mackinaws . Governance Melton shares a Member of Parliament (currently Alan Duncan from the Conservatives ) with Rutland , which together form the appropriately named " Rutland and Melton " parliamentary constituency. Melton Mowbray Town Estate Melton Mowbray is home to a rare example of early town government. The Melton Mowbray Town Estate was founded at the time of the Reformation, in 1549, when two townsfolk sold gold sequestered from the church and bought land to be held in trust for all inhabitants. The Town Estate provided early forms of education, the first street lighting, and today owns and operates the town's parks and sportsgrounds, and the town's market.

The Town Estate is not a public body but a charitable trust run by 14 feoffees (trustees). [3] Melton Town Estate has been criticised for a lack of openness and in 2009, was the subject of a BBC Inside Out programme. [4] The feoffees' decision not to participate in the programme, according to the Charity Commission , "left the impression that they were not open about their business and did not feel accountable to the public for their actions". [5] Demography Melton Mowbray had only 1766 inhabitants in 1801, but in 1831 they had increased to 3327, in 1841 to 3740, in 1851 to 4434, and in 1861 to 4436. The Melton Mowbray official web site's About page lists the current (2009) population of the city as 25,276, and that of Melton Borough as 46,861.

Economy Prior to 1960, the Production Engineering Research Association of Great Britain ( PERA ) came to the town on Nottingham Road and employed around four hundred people in supporting research and development in industry. It is also home to the East Midlands Manufacturing Advisory Service . In 2000, the East Midlands Regional Assembly ( EMRA ) was based in a building also on Nottingham Road. Petfoods came to the town in 1951 as Chappie Ltd, employing over two thousand people, and now employs around one thousand. It became Petfoods in 1957, and became Masterfoods in January 2002. At Melton, it makes four million items of petfood every day, which is less than it used to. Masterfoods now have their UK headquarters close to Melton at Waltham-on-the-Wolds . Landmarks Education King Edward VII School, Melton Mowbray Melton's largest school is King Edward VII with around 2,000 pupils, aged between 11 and 19. The school was founded in 1908.

King Edward VII Upper School, also has the first school-based Eco-Centre and a large computer-based learning centre (ILIAD). Transport Melton railway station is on the line from Birmingham to Stansted Airport via Leicester , Peterborough and Cambridge . Trains run hourly in either direction. The service is supplemented with additional trains in the peak on route to/from Nottingham , Norwich and Sleaford . The station is managed by East Midlands Trains although most services are operated by CrossCountry . CrossCountry intend to enhance their service gradually to half-hourly on this route. Since early 2009 East Midlands Trains have offered a single daily journey from Melton Mowbray to London St Pancras and return. This is notable for being the first regular passenger service to cross the spectacular and historic Welland Viaduct since 1966. Bus services operated by various companies also call at Melton Mowbray, providing access to Leicester , Nottingham , Oakham and other regional centres as well as many of the surrounding villages. Notable Meltonians Alison Williamson - Olympic Archer for Team GB [6] Sport Speedway racing was staged at the Greyhound Stadium in Melton Mowbray in 1949.

The cinder track was laid before and lifted after each meeting. The events, staged on a Sunday, fell foul of the Lord's Day Observance Society for a short time. The town is also home to one rugby club aptly named Melton Rugby club who compete in Midlands 3 East (North) . The town has its own Sunday Football League in which some 15 teams compete every Sunday. Asfordby Hill is home to Holwell Sports who play in the Leicestershire Senior League premier division. Entertainment Melton Carnegie Museum is based in Melton Mowbray. Melton Mowbray is renowned for its music-making. The Melton Band (an orthodox British-style brass band) can trace its directors back to 1856; the colourful Melton Mowbray Tin Soldiers Marching Band was formed in 1936; and Happy Jazz - a dixieland jazz band - has been performing in the town since 1996. Concerts have been played in the carousel bandstand in Melton Mowbray Park since August 1909. There is still a series of concerts on summer Sundays.

Gallery Melton Mowbray [1] - usually referred to locally as just Melton - is a market town in the county of Leicestershire , England. It is famous for the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie and as the centre of Stilton Cheese production. Get in Melton lies about 15 miles (25km) north-east of Leicester . Train services are provided by East Midlands Trains and CrossCountry on the Birmingham - Leicester - Peterborough line, with services about hourly in both directions (a bit more frequently during rush hours, and a very poor service on Sundays). Buses also go to/from Leicester, Oakham, Nottingham, Loughborough and Grantham. However it is worth noting that only Leicester is accessible by bus on a Sunday. Service provided by Arriva buses. [2] . All other local services in and out of Melton appear to be provided by Paul James Coaches [3] Get around The town centre is fairly small and can generally be done on foot. Most of the main shops and streets are wheelchair/pram friendly. The main shopping area is pedestrianised apart from delivery vehicles.

See Borrough Hill is a neolithic hill fort about 6 km/4miles south-east of Melton, with high ramparts and excellent views over a lot of Leicestershire. Sysonby Knoll Hotel and restaurant ( Asfordby Road, Melton Mowbray (Take the A6006 Asfordby Road from town, Sysonby Knoll is about 1km from centre on the left), ☎ 01664 563563, [4] . Traditional and modern food served in a very relaxed colonial style restaurant - not a typical hotel restaurant. Sysonby Knoll has excellent gardens and is also open for teas/ coffees etc during the day. Particularly popular for Sunday Lunch. edit The Eating House on Sherrard Street is certainly the best English/Continental restaurant in town, at quite reasonable prices. There are three Indian Restaurants, where the quality - and service - seem to vary almost by the day; Tandoori Knights, The Spice Club and Apurba. The Jasmine House Chinese restaurant, is recommended and very popular at weekends.

The newishThai Sabah restaurant on Burton Street providing an comprehensive [if slightly expensive] menu, excellent service and tasty food. Some of the best places to eat out are the pubs in nearby villages, which often use locally sourced foods. The Friday Night Hunger, a celebrated group of local gourmands, include the following in their recommendations:- The Nags Head at Saltby - particularly for their fish, chips and mushy peas; The Crown Inn [5] at Sproxton; The Rose & Crown at Hose - for an excellent selection of guest ales; The Stag & Hounds [6] at Borrough on the Hill - good solid pub grub at 2 meals for £11; The Golden Fleece at South Croxton; La Table d'Yves, [7] the French restaurant part of The Fox Inn at Thorpe Satchville - the food's very good. Eye Kettleby Lakes [8] - not actually a pub, but a collection of holiday chalets with a good restaurant attached; and further afield, PJ's Pie Pub [9] at Burton Coggles south of Grantham - You need to order your pie in advance.

The food is excellent and the host pleasantly eccentric; The Old Barn at Glooston. Drink The Harboro Hotel [10] has a good variety of traditional real ales and offers an excellent Sunday lunch. The nearby Noel's Arms also has real ales, and live bands on Fridays and Saturdays. The bands tend to be formulaically loud. The Crown next door to St Mary's Church is a splendid pub, the landlord Mr Trettis being the longest serving in the town. Sunday lunches are of a very high standard. Sysonby Knoll Hotel ( Asfordby Road, Melton Mowbray, [11] . 30 bedroom family run hotel and restaurant on outskirts of Melton Mowbray. edit This article is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow!

Chappell’s Melton Mowbray Pork Pies Registered To Receive Prestigious PGI Status Chappell’s Melton Mowbray Pork Pies Registered To Receive Prestigious PGI Status Monday 7 April 2008 PDF Print -Protected Geographical Indication To Be Allocated by October 4, 2008- Melton Mowbray Pork Pies are to become an official British institution. Chappell’s Fine Foods ( ), a leading producer of the authentic Pork Pies, celebrates the news that the Melton Mowbray pork pie is to be registered as a protected product by receiving the protected geographical status (PGI) by the European Commission. Chappell’s is one of just seven manufacturers in the world, which will be permitted to officially produce Melton Mowbray Pork Pies. Renowned for its high-quality, authentic Forryan’s Melton Mowbray Pork Pies, Chappell’s is looking forward to a rise in sales, as consumers seek the credibility and reliability associated with the ‘PGI’ stamp. The European Commission published details of the registration in the Official European Union Journal on April 4, 2008.

The European approval system is a long and laborious process, which means the PGI status is taken extremely seriously within the industry. Pork Pies can only be branded and marketed using the Melton Mowbray name if they are made to the very exacting standards regulated by the EU within the 3,000km2 ‘Pork Pie boundaries’. Following the European Commission’s procedures, if no objections are received by October 4, 2008 from other member states (objections can no longer be made from within the UK) Melton Mowbray pork pies can only be produced to the traditional recipe in the Leicestershire town. Chappell’s Fine Foods has been instrumental in the fight to gain PGI status from the EU. As a member of the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie Association, Chappell’s et al began the PGI application in 1998. Ryan Wilkinson, chairman of Chappell’s Fine Foods, says: “We’re extremely pleased that consumers will no longer have to settle for any old Pork Pie. We are in the final stages of a very lengthy process that means we will finally have the recognition our Forryan’s Pork Pies deserve.

Chappell’s has produced the finest, premium Melton Mowbray Pork Pies for decades and we’re looking forward to continuing the tradition with the exclusive PGI status.” Rich in history and brimming with authentic flavour, Chappell’s Fine Foods, based in Wigston, Leicestershire, is one of the leading Pork Pie producers in the world. Chappell’s is a family business that has passed down one generation since its establishment in 1972. The premium, handmade range includes Forryan’s Melton Mowbray Pork Pies, Forryan’s Pork Pies, Traditional Handmade Sausages, Cutting Pies and Hot Eating Pies. Drawing upon authentic manufacturing techniques dating back centuries, the Forryan family recipe has been officially adopted by Chappell’s to continue the same traditional approach to food with a focus on modern consumer trends. Chappell’s prestigious Melton Mowbray range is available in the retail and foodservice sectors and British Airways customers (on selected overseas and domestic flights) can sample the delights of Chappell’s Melton Mowbray Pork Pies and the best-selling Chicken and Ham Pies from April 2008.

Wilkinson confirms: “We’re experiencing rising sales of our traditional British Pork Pies driven by growing consumer interest in provenance, authenticity and a demand for nostalgic food with a focus on flavour and quality. The PGI status will strengthen the authenticity and recognition of the Chappell’s range. “Exciting times are on the horizon for Chappell’s. The PGI approval will give us added motivation to spread the word about the traditional and authentic British food we produce.” -Ends- Notes To Editors: ***RYAN WILKINSON, CHAIRMAN OF CHAPPELL’S FINE FOODS, IS AVAILABLE NOW FOR EMAIL OR TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS. PLEASE CONTACT FOR EXCLUSIVE COMMENT: ryan.wilkinson@hotmail.co.uk or call +44 (0) 7880 791 271*** For more information about Chappell’s Fine Foods, the new PGI status, or the pie/sausage market please contact Ryan Wilkinson at ryan.wilkinson@hotmail.co.uk or call +44 (0) 7880 791 271. Photography and samples are also available upon request.

Chappell’s is a rare breed in Melton Mowbray: it is one of the few manufacturers of authentic Pork Pies that can supply cooked chilled, uncooked frozen, or cooked frozen pies in a range of packaging formats, while maintaining its focus on handmade and authentic production. Due to the flexibility of Chappell’s production line, butchers and independent retail outlets outside of Melton Mowbray will be able to heat and serve authentic PGI-approved Pork Pies. From the traditional greaseproof paper to perforated film wrap and vacuum packs, the company specialises in producing gourmet pies for bespoke requirements, as branded or private label products. Sold in butchers, delicatessens and independent retail outlets across the UK, Chappell’s Fine Foods also produces a range of meat and game pies, sausages and Pork Pies for Musgrave-Budgens-Londis and foodservice providers including 3663 and Gate Gourmet. Q. How can you identify an authentic Melton Mowbray Pork Pie? A. The sides of the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie are bow-shaped, as they are baked free standing. Most other pork pies are straight-sided as they are baked in hoops.

The meat used is fresh rather than cured British pork, so the meat appears grey when cooked. The meat is chopped so it is not a smooth consistency and Melton Mowbray Pork Pies contain the famous jelly inside the pastry casing. Q. What does Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) mean? A. Since 1993, the European Union has provided a framework that gives legal protection for named regional food products against imitation across the EU. This framework aims to protect and promote regional food products, as well as the consumer interest and rural economies that become vulnerable as the EU expands and regional markets move to national and international supply chains. Gaining protected name status can be a lengthy undertaking, but when a food maker's application is successful, no other food can use the name of that product. As part of the process, the recipe for the product has to be agreed by the area's producers and, once they've been granted this approval, each individual maker is inspected every year to make sure that standards are upheld. Q. Which other British foods have gained PGI or Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status? A.

There are a number of products including Stilton, Single Gloucester, Staffordshire, Dovedale and Swaledale cheeses, also Cornish clotted cream, Jersey Royal potatoes, Welsh lamb, Whitstable oysters and Hereford cider. In total more than 4,200 wines and spirits and 600 other products have gained protected status under the PGI regulations in the EU. Q. Who typically eats Pork Pies and when? A. According to TNS data published in The Grocer (15/08/2007), 207 million meals featuring pork pies were consumed in the UK in 2006. 65% of pork pies are consumed by over-45s and they are most popular at lunch time (one third are eaten at this time). Men eat 54.7% of all pork pies consumed. There has been an increase in consumption by children and by men aged 25 to 34. One third of them are eaten out of enjoyment, which has led to a higher intake at the weekend when enjoyment is more important to consumers.

This press release was distributed by ResponseSource Press Release Wire on behalf of food&drink towers in the following categories: Women's Interest & Beauty , Food & Drink , Media & Marketing , Farming & Animals , for more information visit . Will Brexit Endanger Britain's Famous Pork Pies and Real Ale? - Bloomberg Bloomberg the Company & Its Products Bloomberg Anywhere Remote LoginBloomberg Anywhere Login Bloomberg Terminal Demo Request Bloomberg Connecting decision makers to a dynamic network of information, people and ideas, Bloomberg quickly and accurately delivers business and financial information, news and insight around the world. Customer Support Advertising Bloomberg Connecting decision makers to a dynamic network of information, people and ideas, Bloomberg quickly and accurately delivers business and financial information, news and insight around the world. Customer Support Food & Drink Will Brexit Endanger Britain's Famous Pork Pies and Real Ale? Regional producers wonder what happens to special protection from foreign rivals should Britain vote to leave the European Union. by Imagine a game of cricket on a village green in the English countryside. The pace is slow. You won't miss much as you sit and enjoy a picnic. How about a Melton Mowbray pork pie , where you bite through the shortcrust pastry and a layer of jelly before reaching the meaty center?

To drink? Kentish Ale , best enjoyed at room temperature, without annoying bubbles. And to round it off, a slice of Stilton . The Melton Mowbray pork pie is one of the U.K.'s food products that is protected against imitation throughout the European Union. Photographer: Luke Macgregor/Bloomberg All three enjoy legal protection against imitation throughout the European Union under regulations that recognize regional and traditional foods. The list of protected foodstuffs also includes Cornish pasties , Whitstable oysters , Scotch beef , Jersey royal potatoes and Anglesey sea salt . So what happens if Britons vote to leave the EU in the referendum on membership? Not much, probably: EU protection isn't restricted to EU members so the producers could continue to receive protection from foreign copycats, much as French Champagne does. But that doesn't stop some producers from worrying. In the event of a Brexit, who will protect this ale? Photographer: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg "The EU has done a lot to protect Britain's food heritage," says Robin Skailes, whose family makes Stilton at Cropwell Bishop Creamery .

"We make fantastic food in this country, and we want to preserve it for the next generation." Stilton has enjoyed European Protected Designation of Origin status since 1996. That means it can only be made in the counties of Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire, to traditional recipes. (By a quirk of history and geography, that excludes the Cambridgeshire village of Stilton , where the cheese may have originated .) Andy Riches, a fisherman who catches lobsters and oysters at Whitstable on the southeastern coast isn't so sure that the EU is the fisherman's friend, even though Whitstable oysters are protected. Whitstable Oysters and iconic beach huts by the seaside. Photographers: Luke Macgregor and Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg "The EU has hurt the fishing industry with its quotas, especially small boat owners," he says. "I've been a fisherman for 40 years and I've never been a fan of the EU." The U.K. Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs emphasizes the value of EU protection. Travel with us, drive with us, eat with us. Get our weekly Pursuits newsletter. Sign Up Protected food names: Quality or cartel?

- BBC News BBC News Protected food names: Quality or cartel? By Greig Watson BBC News 20 November 2012 Read more about sharing. Close share panel Image caption There is a multi-billion Euro market for products which have got into the Protected Food Name club - but not everyone can join What's in a name? Well, if it's the name of a tasty local food, then legal wrangles, multimillion-pound sales and the threat of small local traders going to the wall. Those bidding to gain legal protection for the Lincolnshire sausage are licking their wounds after their latest attempt was rejected by the government. And while they may cast envious glances towards the likes of Melton Mowbray pork pies and Stilton cheese , even these established names face challenges. The argument focuses on the European Union's Protected Food Names (PFN) scheme.

Types of food protection PDO - Protected Designation of Origin A product which has a very distinctive process, recipe or method closely linked to a specific area and gaining features and characteristics from it eg Swaledale ewes' cheese PGI - Protected Geographical Indication A product which has a distinctive process, recipe or method linked to a specific area eg Worcestershire cider TSG - Traditional Speciality Guaranteed A product which has distinctive process, recipe or method not connected with a location eg Traditional Farm fresh Turkey Like a trademark, PFN gives products which meet certain standards protection from unauthorised imitation. It includes food celebrities like Champagne and Parma Ham along with more niche treats like Magiun de Topoloveni (a Romanian plum-based fruit spread), but also covers produce like vegetables and wool. Food minnow For those who get it, PFN status means guaranteed standards, enhanced profile and the chance to get a premium price. But for those on the outside, it is restrictive, counterproductive and open to abuse. The UK is a relative minnow in the PFN stakes.

According to the EU DOOR database (which combines some similar items), of the 1,130 registered products, 44 are from the UK - compared to Italy's 247 and France's 192. Nonetheless, the UK market is estimated to be worth more than £1bn. And it's a slice of that the Lincolnshire Sausage Association was after. Reputation 'ruined' Its chair, Jane Godfrey, believes they represent everything PFN stands for. "The Lincolnshire sausage is a distinctive name that should represent a quality product, clearly connected to a specific area," she said. "But anyone can make a Lincolnshire sausage, pretty much anywhere, with any ingredients they like - and that's ruining its reputation. "We wanted to make sure it was made the right way in the right place and in the process protect about 160 traditional butchers in the county." Image caption Not all pork pies are equal, only those with the right meat, pastry, shape and origin are Melton Mowbray In the UK, a producer must get approval from Defra before it is rubber stamped by the EU.

The government department ruled that, despite the name, an "enduring link" between the county and the product had not been proven - but Mrs Godfrey also points the finger elsewhere. "The difference between our application and others was the financial muscle set against us. "An objection came from a solicitor representing, among others, Walkers Midshire Foods which is owned by Samworth Brothers, who don't want to have restrictions on where and how they make Lincolnshire sausages." Market leader The perfect Lincolnshire sausage: The distinctive flavour of Lincolnshire sausages comes from the predominant use of sage, which can be seen through the skin The texture of the meat should be coarse with visible pieces of lean meat and fat The sausages must have a minimum 70% pork meat and no more than 25% fat Only seven ingredients are permitted - pork, sage, bread, rusk, salt, pepper and water Source: Defra PGI application Roast them with onion and red wine gravy Samworth Brothers is a Leicestershire-based food company which had annual sales of more than £700m in 2011.

They also own Dickinson and Morris, a major player in the £50m Melton Mowbray pork pie market, a product which was granted a PGI in 2009. In addition, they own Ginsters, a leading maker of Cornish pasties, which gained PGI status in 2011. A spokesman for the company said: "We have invested in Leicestershire and Cornwall specifically because they are both areas of great food heritage and food provenance is important to us. "PGI status promotes the integrity of a regional food product and protects it from misuse and imitation. "It helps ensure product consistency and quality for the consumer, and means that producers can make long term investments with confidence. "Each PGI status application has to be judged on its own particular merits. There must be a unique and intimate connection between the product and the designated locality." Image caption Stilton cheese gained its PDO - the highest level of protection - in the first wave of applications in 1996 Defra has confirmed that in the past two years, only one other product - Jersey butter - has had a bid for protected status rejected.

Stilton Cheese gained its PDO in the first wave of protected names in 1996. It accounts for 50% of the blue cheese market and it is worth more than £60m. Only five dairies, in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire, are licensed to produce Blue Stilton - but that exclusivity is under fire. Name game With some irony, the village of Stilton in Cambridgeshire - acknowledged source of the name - is outside the approved area. An ongoing campaign to gain the name for their own blue cheese has provoked threats of court action. Separately, a Nottinghamshire dairy has appealed to Defra to broaden the criteria on what can be called Stilton. Stichelton cheese is made in the right area, to the right recipe but crucially uses unpasteurised milk, in breach of the PDO criteria. Image caption Stilton's exclusivity is being challenged by the village after which it is named and a nearby artisan diary Stichelton dairy owner Joe Schneider said: "For me the importance of the PFN is to concentrate on those narrow parameters of tradition, linked to a geographical area.

"I'm afraid it gets hijacked sometimes as more of a branding and marketing exercise and it becomes protectionist instead of inclusive. "The system is good in theory but it needs better policing to make sure it is not misused." 'Zero' recognition But Matthew Rippon, a food researcher at Queen Mary, University of London, warned against seeing PFN as the preserve of small producers. "Traditional is not the absolute opposite of commercial," he said. "There's no reason why a cottage industry can't be protected and there's no reason why a massive manufacturer can't be protected, as long as they can prove to the regulating body that they have the appropriate link with the place for a certain period of time. "It can be as big as Parma ham or small as Staffordshire cheese. "The main problem for the system is that public recognition of it is about zero. Food has a lot of labels and information on it already and people just don't look for the (PFN) symbol. "Plus there is a lot of scepticism about EU schemes, which makes it a difficult sell, even though this one is protecting the very Britishness of a product. "The only thing that is going to change that is big publicity, which is the preserve of government or large firms."

Question: Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire is famous for its European Protected designation of origin named?
Answer: Pork pie