Well, here we are… August already!
I’m not quite sure where July went, and before we know it, we’ll be talking about Pannage pork, Christmas turkeys and mince pies. But let’s not get carried away just yet!
August is normally one of those lovely months where the seasons seem to overlap. However, this year seems to be an exception, with sun… and, well, more sun!
We’re still very much in summer mode, with BBQs firing up at the weekends, although perhaps not quite so much during the week. There is actually a fine line between lovely summer weather being great for business and the heat killing trade completely.
We seem to have a perfect window somewhere between 20°C and 27°C. That’s when people stay outside, cook on the barbecue and generally enjoy the summer. Once we breach 27°C, though, people stop buying, hunker down and hide!
I’m exactly the same. After a day working in the heat, all I want to do when I get home is have a cold shower, find the coolest room in the house and hide.
So, despite all this lovely weather, it’s not necessarily helping trade. However, there is just the slightest hint that autumn is waiting around the corner.
The BBQ is Still King
Despite the heat, the BBQ is still king. Weekends are for relaxing, socialising and getting something good on the grill.
A decent steak, some proper homemade sausages, juicy burgers, sticky ribs, chicken, kebabs, brisket or short rib for the smoker… and perhaps a few things that need a little more attention from the butcher!
For me, this is where buying good meat really makes a difference. You don’t need to cover everything in sauces and marinades when you’ve got properly sourced, good-quality meat to start with.
A little seasoning, a hot grill and let the meat do the talking.
Of course, we do love making things a little bit different in the shop too. Our marinades, burgers, sausages and other homemade goodies are all part of what keeps the counter interesting.
And let’s be honest, half the fun of a BBQ is deciding what you’re going to cook before you’ve even lit it!
Need a little BBQ inspiration? Take a look at our BBQ range in the online shop — from steaks and ribs to chicken, sausages and slow-cooking cuts for the smoker.
Knowing Where Our Meat Comes From
One of the things I’m particularly proud of is knowing the story behind much of the meat we sell.
This year, we were incredibly proud to win Best Supporter of Local Produce 2026 in the CLA and New Forest National Park Awards, which we received at the New Forest Show.
We work with farmers and small producers who care about what they do. From local farms across Hampshire, Wiltshire and Dorset to our New Forest suppliers, we try to keep things as local as possible.
For us, “local” isn’t just a word we put on a sign.
It’s about knowing the farmer, knowing where the animals have been reared and being able to tell our customers something about the food they’re buying.
That’s one of the great things about being an independent butcher.
You can ask us where something came from, how we’d cook it, what cut would work best, or even what we’d have for dinner ourselves!
And Then There’s the New Forest…
Living and working around the New Forest gives us access to some fantastic produce, and the relationship between the Forest, the farms and the people who work the land is something pretty special.
It’s one of the reasons I love what we do.
There’s a real sense of history here. Farming traditions have been passed down through generations, and many of the practices and products associated with the Forest are still very much part of life today.
It’s something we should be proud of and, more importantly, something worth supporting.
Because when you buy from a local butcher or farm shop, you’re helping to keep that whole chain going — farmer, producer, butcher and, ultimately, the customer.
Make the Most of August
August is the perfect time to enjoy those long evenings and make the most of summer while it’s here.
Get some friends and family together, fire up the BBQ and put something decent on it.
And if you can’t decide what to cook…
That’s where we come in!
Come and have a chat with us. Tell us what you’re planning, how many you’re feeding and what sort of thing you fancy, and we’ll point you in the right direction.
Because that’s what being a proper local butcher is all about.
It’s not just about selling you a piece of meat.
It’s about helping you make something bloody delicious with it.
So here’s to August — long evenings, good food, great company and, hopefully, a tiny bit less sunshine!
Enjoy the summer while it lasts.
And don’t worry…
Autumn can wait its turn.
See you in the shop,
Mike
