Ludlow Calling

March 2012 was the month where I started to spread my wings. What better way to celebrate the arrival of Spring than a day out in Shropshire on a dual mission.

Without sounding like Cilla off Corrie when she's on Britain's Best Bakery narration duties, Shropshire is the home of the fidget pie and also the town of Much Wenlock where locals and visitors alike queue around the corner for the pies of John Ryan (and his sons).

Ryans was indeed an emporium of fine baked products well worth the queue and bumped head on the doorframe for. Their beef and red wine pie was laced with lubricant slithers of beef and enough red wine flavour to get the odd synapse here or there a little bit merry.

From there it was on to Ludlow, straight through the middle of the racecourse en route and past a spirited encounter taking place at Ludlow Town FC. A town of stunningly under-advertised fascinating beauty with it's castle, the restored Feathers Hotel and a town hall clock which chimes "There's no place like home" on the hour. It's the Ludlow Food Hall we're seeking out however, where a fidget pie or two was procured.

At £2.25 they aren't cheap and controversially, the farmers of Shropshire had no desire to see a top crust after a long day ploughing fields in bygone times. The top is a hefty filling of cheesy mustard mash with the lower casing populated by ham/gammon, more cheese and apple cider. A refreshing change indeed!

Keep still, it's a fidget pie!

John Ryan & Sons Beef in Red Wine Pie

Up next: Wales, Wales, blooming great dishes in Wales.......