Brendan Playford's blog discusses local Norfolk producers and upcoming events. It describes Foxley Wood, home to bluebell trails and a farm selling Aberdeen Angus beef. Nearby, Algy's Farm Shop run by popcorn grower Algy Garrod sells locally sourced produce, including popcorn grown in Crush rapeseed oil. The blog also mentions Norfolk Saffron, which produces high quality saffron by hand, and promotes the upcoming Cromer & Sheringham Crab & Lobster Festival.

1. info@norfolkonmymind.co.uk To advertise call 07855 238757Issue 42 www.norfolkonmymind.co.uk 33
CRUSH
BRENDAN’S BLOG
Brendan Playford of Crush Foods just
loves this time of year.
Wood near Fakenham. Owned
by Norfolk WildlifeTrust, it’s
our county’s oldest remaining
ancient woodland. Peaking at
Easter, the woods are a mass of
blue flowers, and throughout
the year, they are home to
a diverse collection of wild
flowers, birds and butterflies.
On your way to Foxley
Wood, you will find one of
the finest rare breed herds of
Aberdeen Angus beef, just off
of the A1067 from Norwich to
Fakenham. Foxley Wood Aberdeen Angus sells
its home-reared beef from the small farm shop
on site.You can pop in when you are passing to
pick up your shopping. Owner Jane Cargill also
regularly attends farmers’ markets around Norfolk
including Creake Abbey Farmers’ Market on the
first Saturday of the month.The meat is rich,
delicate and full of flavour; a testament to the
husbandry and care that goes into the herd.
Perfect for a hearty slow-cooked casserole on
a crisp spring day!
A little further down the road is the newly
opened Bintree Farm Shop, run by popcorn
grower Algy Garrod. Boasting a huge array
of locally sourced produce, from jams and
chutneys to daily goods and groceries,Algy
has pioneered the art of growing popping corn
in Norfolk. It is popped in Crush cold-pressed
rapeseed oil, which he also grows for us. It is the
nearest you can get to popping corn in the field.
Written by
Brendan Playford
o, what a strange winter it has been…
Wind, rain and floods!The only
thing that has been missing was our
familiar friend of recent winters, snow.
Conspicuous with its absence, we are now
treated to a season of fabulous florals, starting
with snowdrops littering the woods and, of
course,Walsingham Abbey, to April’s vibrant
shades of daffodils, crocus and bluebells.There
are some phenomenal walks in Norfolk, with
one of the best bluebell trails being at Foxley
S
“ALGY HAS PIONEERED
THE ART OF GROWING
POPPING CORN IN
NORFOLK”
We all know that our region is
fantastic for fresh, locally sourced
ingredients, but had you heard
that East Anglia was once home
to a thriving saffron industry?
Growing the delicate crocus
plants is a specialist art. Unlike
this month’s jubilant spring floral
displays, the saffron crocus’
stamens are picked during their
October flowering. Sally Francis
of Norfolk Saffron, based in my
childhood home of Burnham
Norton, is now a commercial
high-quality saffron producer.A far
cry from the dull shop-bought varieties, Norfolk
Saffron is planted, tended, picked and packed all
by hand.The blood-red stamens or threads have
the most exquisite colour, flavour and aroma, and
it is a wonderful addition to any stew or seafood
dish, such as bouillabaisse. Sally also produces a
delicious golden tipple ‘King Harry’, made using
the finest artisan gin infused with real hand-cut
orange zest and Norfolk Saffron.Why
not full up your hip flask before you
go out walking? It’s sure to brighten up
your day.
As usual, the awakening of spring
means only one thing here at Crush…
Show season is on its way! We kick
off with the Cromer & Sheringham
Crab & Lobster Festival in May, a
true champion of local food, with an
amazing line-up of exceptional chefs
cooking up the best that Norfolk has
to offer. Hope to see you there!
For further information on Crush
Foods, call Brendan on 01263 805009
or visit www.crush-foods.com
Norfolk Wildlife Trust
Tel: 01603 625540. www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk
Foxley Wood Aberdeen Angus
Tel: 01362 688202.
Algy’s Farm Shop
Tel: 01362 683893. www.bintreefarmshop.co.uk
Norfolk Saffron
Tel: 07789 366560. www.norfolksaffron.co.uk
Cromer & Sheringham Crab & Lobster Festival
Tel: 07775 337201. www.crabandlobsterfestival.co.uk
ALGY’S FARM
SHOP
Aberdeen Angus cow
Cromer & Sheringham
Crab & Lobster Festival