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Celebrate with a ‘Ratty’ old banger

Sausage connoisseurs in the region will be able to celebrate National Sausage Week next week (26 October - 1 November) with a boozy banger made by a local butcher, whilst at the same time supporting the return of an iconic animal to the waterways of Kielder.
Steve Lamb Bellingham Craft Butcher - Kelly Hollings

Steve Lamb, Bellingham Craft Butcher. Image by: Kelly Hollings.

Earlier this year, Steve Lamb, butcher at Bellingham Craft Butcher Ltd set about creating a sausage in support of the Restoring Ratty project with a percentage from the sale of each sausage donated to the Restoring Ratty project which is working to reintroduce water voles to the Kielder Water and Forest Park area of Northumberland.

Despite lockdown and travel restrictions, Steve managed to raise £110 for the project.

But relax! No water voles are harmed during the production of the sausages as they are created using ‘Ratty’ beer, first crafted by The First & Last Brewery in Elsdon in 2018 to mark the return of the lovable character, made famous by Kenneth Grahame’s Wind in the Willows. The brewery donates 20p from each bottle sold to the project.

Ratty ale

Speaking about the funds raised by Steve and his team, Kelly Hollings, Restoring Ratty Project Officer says: “Steve is a legend! Not only are his Ratty sausages delicious, they’re made from Ratty Beer and by doing so, he’s helping a fellow local business. Supporting local businesses is so important at this time.

“Don’t just take our word for it - visit the shop and try them for yourselves - the 2020 UK Sausage Week celebration lunch in London has been cancelled due to COVID-19, so why not have your own celebration at home instead?”

Steve Lamb commented: “I know Kelly as she is a customer and Bellingham resident, so when I saw the Restoring Ratty project’s stand at Falstone Show last summer (2019), I offered to create a sausage to help raise funds for the project which she jumped at.

“I live locally in Falstone and it’s wonderful to know that there are water voles back in our local burns. If I can make a small contribution to their return, I’ll be very happy.”

The Restoring Ratty project is working to reintroduce water voles to the Kielder and Forest Park and is delivered by Northumberland Wildlife Trust, Forestry England and Tyne Rivers Trust. It is supported by National Lottery players through a grant of £421,000 via The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

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