Ilkeston Cam On Holiday
In South West Wales - Part Fourteen
LLangloffan Cheesemakers
The
photos on this page were taken on Thursday 18th July
The approach
to Llangloffan Cheese Centre from the north is relatively straightforward
and is not far from the main A487 road but, me being me, we reached
the entrance from a southerly direction via B roads and minor
country lanes.
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We were still
there in plenty of time though for the cheesemaking demonstration
that began at 10.00am and also had time to admire the attractive
setting of the farmhouse.
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Outside the
dairy, equipment from a bygone era acted as a reminder of a time
when hygiene regulations were far less stringent.
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The cheesemaking
process had been started much earlier in the morning but by the
time the visitors entered the dairy, creator Leon Downey was
able to show how the milk was separated into curds and whey.
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Leon and his
wife Joan revived the art of Welsh farmhouse cheesemaking in
1977 and their family run business has gone from strength to
strength. Formerly Leon was the co-principal viola in the Halle
Orchestra. He puts his undoubted talent as an entertainer to
full use during the demonstration with a deadpan and comic commentary
on the cheesemaking process. By lunchtime, after the whey has
been drained off, the curd milled and salt added, the cheese
moulds are filled ready to be pressed.
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Left to mature
and ripen in the storeroom, the cheeses are turned daily. All
that remains now is to sample the produce.
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