Shropshire sausages at the centre of sizzling festival row
A wealthy businessman and his wife have threatened to withdraw support for a festival over a row involving Shropshire sausages.
Sir William and Lady McAlpine has expressed their dissatisfaction at the amount of local produce on offer at The Henley Show in Oxfordshire – particularly referencing the presence of Shropshire sausages.
Lady McAlpine said they were "embarrassed" at the lack of local produce and would consider their positions as patrons if the situation is not addressed.
In a letter published in a local newspaper she said: "We are now patrons of the show and are seriously considering standing down because we are embarrassed by the lack of local produce in the fast food stands.
"There is produce in the food tent but the sausages on offer outside this year proudly announced that they were from Shropshire. None of the other food outlets was local. For a local agricultural show this is nonsense."
Sir William is a former director of Sir Robert McAlpine, the construction company founded by his great grandfather.
Lady McAlpine added: "When I organise an event at Fawley Hill, or the traditional boat festival, I politely decline advances from food outlets that are not local or prepared to use local produce.
"We need more awareness of the amazing food suppliers we have in this area. Ten years ago, when my husband was president of the Henley show, we protested that the only local food to be had was Paul Clerehugh if you were eating in the members' enclosure or the Culden Faw venison burgers.
"Despite as one committee member puts it 'banging on' at every available opportunity, nothing has changed."
