Free Range Eating Out? February 20, 2008

Since seeing the disgusting way that the majority of chickens exist in their short lives between egg and table on Chicken Out TV many people want free range meat when eating out. If you know of any IW restaurants, cafes etc where they serve local free range chicken, other meats and local produce, please let us know.

St Helens Restaurant, Lower Green Road, St Helens, Isle of Wight PO33 1TS
Tel/Fax: 01983 872303
Local chicken, duck, partridge, pheasant and eggs on the menu from Brownrigg, lamb from Parkwater Farm, Godshill Park Farm beef, fish from Captain Stan, pork and bacon from IW Bacon, everything else sourced locally if possible. Booking essential.

“St Helens Restaurant has a well-deserved good reputation. The food is outstanding, and the restaurant achieves a commendable emphasis on local produce whilst still presenting an interesting and varied menu at sensible prices.” Read the full review from Matt & Cat

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No garden – want to grow vegetables? February 15, 2008

There is a huge waiting list for allotments on the Island, even if you do have one they can be costly and inconvenient, for example if you live in Wootton your allotment will be in Ryde. Many people with gardens don’t use them due to ill-health, old age or even always being at work. The solution to both problems could be solved by the Footprint Trust with their new Adopt-a-Garden scheme which seeks to join these two groups together. The householder will get their garden looked after for free and the gardener gets a free allotment in return. Find out more…..

There is also more about the scheme in the County Press 

From Mark – I am very pleased to say that we are planning to integrate this into the five year town plan for Ventnor, Bonchurch and St Lawrence. Read more in comments

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Chicken Out – Campaign for a Free Range Future January 7, 2008

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall from River Cottage, as seen on Channel4 television has started a campaign to improve the short lives of broiler chickens – the ones that are bought at the supermarket for as little as £2 per per bird. These poor birds live in appalling conditions and never see natural daylight, sign up for a Free Range Future for them.

Watch Hugh’s Chicken Run on C4 tonight, Tuesday and Wednesday at 9pm and find out more about it.

You can buy excellent locally reared free range chicken, ducks and eggs from Brownrigg Poultry at the Farmers’ Market in Newport every Friday morning or direct from Sheepwash Farm, Godshill, phone to check when open. If you collect from the farm you can see very happy, healthy hens out in the fields, antibiotics or growth promoters are not used.

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