Oakpark Foods, owned by the Callan-based Brett Group, won a gold medal at the annual own label food and drink awards last week in London.
The value-added pork and bacon processor, which is based in Cahir, won the top award in the chilled bacon category for its dry cure rashers, which are sold by Lidl. It beat entries from all major UK retailers.
Over 750 own label products were entered in the competition, which is organised by The Grocer magazine. Oakpark rashers was the only Irish-manufactured product to receive a gold medal. All products were subject to 16 weeks of consumer research and finalists were assessed by a judging panel of food scientists, chefs and food journalists.
Speaking in London after receiving the award, Oakpark managing director Jimmy Brett said this major international honour was testament to the innovativeness and professionalism of the company’s 50 staff and their dedication to the highest standards of excellence.
“It will be of huge benefit to our export drive into Britain, where Oakpark has already established itself as a key supplier to Lidl stores,” he said.
Oakpark Foods is an integral part of the family-run Brett Group, which was established in 1940. With facilities in Callan and Windgap and in Ardfinnan in Tipperary, the agribusiness and food company is involved in supplying seed grain and agronomy services to tillage farmers as well as grain purchase and manufacture and supply of animal feed to dairy, beef and pig farms, including its own pig units.
This integrated production system ensures unique control over the Oakpark pork and bacon product range from farm to fork.
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Northants v Essex: Bopara hits second century in a week - BBC News
Ravi Bopara scored his second century in a week as Essex and Northants played out a draw in the County Championship.
Bopara, who hit 120 in Essex's CB40 victory over Gloucestershire on Monday, made 174 and shared a fifth-wicket stand of 294 with James Foster (135).
Essex declared on 400-6 as David Willey took 3-74 for the hosts.
James Middlebrook (100) then became the game's third centurion as the captains shook hands on a draw the moment Northants reached 200-3 in reply.
Earlier, Bopara and Foster's partnership surpassed the previous record fifth-wicket stand for Essex against Northants of 147, made between Mark Pettini and Matt Walker in this fixture last season.
Northants take six points from the game and are fourth in the Division Two table, while Essex gained nine points and lie seventh.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Middlebrook hits another ton as Northants draw with Essex - Northampton Chronicle
MAKESHIFT opener James Middlebrook scored another century for Northants, but it was Ravi Bopara that gave the England selectors another huge nudge with his second century of the week as Essex drew their rain-affected LV= County Championship match at Wantage Road on Saturday.
After most of the first three days had been scuppered by the wet weather, there was to be no contrived run-chase, with the teams instead opting to play for the bonus points on offer.
Essex declared on 400 for six to claim maximum batting points, with Bopara scoring a magnificent 174 off 290 balls and his captain and wicketkeeper James Foster making 135 off 230 deliveries.
Northants then closed on 200 for three as Middlebrook clobbered a century against his old club with 100 off 141 balls.
Essex began the day on 195 for four with Bopara resuming on 87 and Foster on 60, and the former was to complete the 22nd century of his first-class career in the 14th over of the day.
It was also his second of the County Championship season and came off 199 balls as he hammered a four through the covers off Lee Daggett.
He and Foster had already surpassed the previous record fifth-wicket stand for Essex against Northants of 147, made between Mark Pettini and Matt Walker in this fixture last season.
Foster went on to complete the 18th first-class ton of his career off 203 deliveries as the visitors moved on serenely to 282 for four at lunch.
Bopara reached 150 off 268 balls in the fifth over of the afternoon - an over in which he smashed 21 off Middlebrook
Foster, however, holed out when he launched David Willey to substitute fielder Rob Keogh at long on to finally break a magnificent partnership of 294.
Bopara’s sensational innings then finally came to an end when he was caught by Coetzer at deep square leg to give Daggett his first wicket.
The Essex declaration came as soon as they reached 400, leaving Ryan ten Doeschate and Graham Napier unbeaten on 26 and 14 respectively.
Northants lost Ben Howgego in the 11th over of their innings when his off stump was taken out by Napier after making a just a single off the 27 balls he faced.
The hosts resumed after tea on 43 for one and Middlebrook completed his half-century off 74 deliveries with a huge six smashed down the ground off Tom Westley.
Coetzer made a bright 39 before he was dismissed by Napier’s yorker before Middlebrook completed his second hundred in consecutive home games off 138 balls.
But he was then bowled by Tom Craddock without adding to his total before an Alex Wakely (43 not out) single that moved Northants to 200 brought about the close.
Source: www.northamptonchron.co.uk
Essex Relay: Part 1 - Celebrates its 20th Anniversary - Examiner
Relay for Life is a huge, fun fundraising endeavor for the American Cancer Society (ACS). Having begun in Tacoma, Wa. by just one man, “Relay” is now history. It is celebrated by more than 3.5 million people in 5,000 communities and 20 different countries. One of the east Baltimore County events, has been held on the campus of the Community Colleges of Baltimore County (CCBC) Essex Campus since 1993. Thousands of supporters, advocates and patients have walked the track throughout the night for each of the past 20 years, raising more than a million dollars... possibly closer to two million!
The 2012 Essex Relay raised over $81,000 before the start of the event on Friday, June 8. Thousands more was turned in as teams registered, updated their team donations, participated in the Silent Auction and continued their fundraising efforts throughout the night's event. As this article goes to press, the Essex Relay page indicates a total of $85,800 in donations. That total will continue to grow as teams update the funds from their participants and as others continue to donate on the website.
The Essex Relay had 36 registered teams, with just 412 participants this year. Team “Hope Hunters” raised $13,847! Team “Walking Angels” has participated from the beginning with its four primary team members, Jean, Ann, Marge and Elaine – four sisters, all cancer survivors and dedicated supporters of the American Cancer Society and Relay for Life.
Team “Because of Joyce” was one of several first-time-participants. Nancy was a best friend to Joyce who died of lung cancer in February. Nancy saw a television commercial for Relay for Life shortly after Joyce's funeral. She decided then to honor her friend by participating in this awesome event. With 17 members, the team raised over $2,000, an awesome effort for a brand new team.
The Essex Relay began on Friday, June 8 with a survivors dinner at 5 p.m., opening ceremonies at 7 p.m. and so much more before closing ceremonies at 6 a.m. on Saturday, June 9. A series of articles will follow to highlight many of the special events, guest speakers and fun activities that occurred during this historical milestone.
If you would like to donate to the Essex Relay visit the website now and click on donate. You can donate the overall event, to a specific team or team member. All monies raised go to the American Cancer Society to fund the numerous services they provide, including research projects, the Hope Lodge facility, educational efforts as well as direct patient services.
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Disclaimer: Anna Renault is a member of Team Hollyneckers: Kissing Cancer Goodbye.
Source: www.examiner.com
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