Stilton Cheese returned home after 300 years
The 'King of Cheeses' celebrated its homecoming on June 30th 2006
     
  Last summer Stilton Cheese retraced the 39 mile cross country journey from it's original birthplace of production, Quenby Hall, the the Bell Inn at Stilton where it became famous.  
 
 
     
   
 
Quenby Stilton Run 2006
Quenby Stilton Run 2006
 
 

The Bell Inn at Stilton and Quenby Hall Leicestershire, were proud to announce the homecoming of the nations’ favourite cheese, to celebrate 300 years of history.

Travelling by horse and carriage, the cheese made the journey from its original place of production, Quenby Hall, across the counties to it’s original birthplace, The Bell Inn, situated on the Great North road in the picturesque village of Stilton, Cambridgeshire.

Freddie De Lisle, owner of Quenby Hall escorted the cheese from Leicestershire to Stilton village, where it was received by Liam McGivern, proprietor of The Bell Inn.The reunion was be celebrated along the way, with stop offs at traditional coaching inns and country stores to relieve its quarry.

The Great Cheese Run finished with a traditional celebration at The Bell Inn.  Revellers had the opportunity to sample the finest real ales and the original Quenby Stilton cheese, with the Bell Inn’s renowned homemade plum bread.

For further information please contact:

Glynn Cartwright of Quenby Hall:   
enquiries@quenbyhall.co.uk
0798 563 2863

Simon Robson. General Manager, The Bell Inn:
simon@thebellstilton.co.uk
01733 241066

  
 
Quenby Stilton Run 2006
 Quenby Stilton Run 2006
 
     
   
The Stilton Run 2006 Schedule was...
 
Time Venue Comment
8.00 Quenby Hall, Hungarton Leicestershire Send off from the Old Dairy at historic Quenby Hall, a Jacobean House set in parkland. Loading of cheese onto horse and carriage.
8.30 Billesdon Village Green Delivery of cheese to village store and Greyhound pub.
10.30 Uppingham Market Square Welcome by Mayor of Uppingham during weekly food market in front of the historic Falcon Hotel. Cheese being delivered to The Deli, specialist delicatessen, Culpins Butcher and The Lake Isle Restaurant.
11.45 Harringworth Delivery of cheese to the White Hart Inn
12.15 Bulwick Parish Delivery to New Lodge Farm Shop. Change of horses and hog roast lunch.
12.45 Bulwick Village Delivery to Queen’s Head.
2.00 Oundle Welcome by Deputy Mayor in Market Square. Port and Stilton tasting in Market Square by Amps Wine Merchants. Delivery to Trendalls Butchers and Smith Delicatessen.
4.00 Stilton Arrival at The Bell Inn. Village party to celebrate the arrival of Quenby Stilton cheese back to the inn.
 
   
PRESS INFORMATION
 

FACTS ABOUT THE RUN:

The run was a total of 39 miles.

This run was one of the longest commercial carriage rides since the van and lorry became the main mode of commercial transport.

There were two changes of horses – one at 12 miles on Wardley Hill outside Uppingham and a second
at Bulwick.

The carriage was an old de Lisle Family carriage.

The horses were Mr Bill Ginns from Skeffington. Mr Ginns is a well known horse and carriage Company.

FACTS ABOUT STILTON CHEESE:

Quenby Hall has been producing pressed blue cheese in some form since the 17th century.

Quenby Stilton is totally handmade by a skilled team of cheese makers who all come from Leicestershire

There are seven Stilton dairies: Colston Bassett, Tuxford & Tebbitt (Melton), Webster (Saxelbye), Cropwell Bishop, Long Clawson, Hartington and Quenby Hall.

The blue veins of colour or ‘blueing’ in the cheese are created by blue mould found in the cheese, not by the insertion of copper wires as is commonly thought.

Stilton cheese was originally sold at The Bell Inn, the historic 16th century coaching Inn located on the
Great North road.

Stilton gets its name from the small village of Stilton in Cambridgeshire.

The Bell Inn is steeped in history, and has attracted a number of famous names, all wanting to sample the king of cheeses.  Highwayman Dick Turpin, Lord Byron, Clarke Gable and boxer Joe Lewis are all listed visitors at
The Bell Inn.

Stilton cheese is prominently used at the Bell Inn today, helping to create some of its signature dishes.

  
     
 
Protected Designation Of Origin
Country Land and Business Association
Stilton Cheesemakers Assoc
 
     
  This project is supported under the England Rural Development Programme by the Department for Environment, Rural Affairs and the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund  
Protected Designation Of Origin   Country Land and Business Association   Stilton Cheesemakers Assoc  

The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development;
Europe Investing in Rural Areas