I love a little bit of local history and was pleasantly surprised to learn that the tatty sawmill we pass every day was once May's Mill and home to the oldest flour in Kwazulu Natal, 'Blue Ribbon'.
I didn't find much information on the Internet about the mill apart from the marketing blurb on the Premier website. I did however come across some amazing websites in the process like this awesome photographic catalogue of every historical site in KZN and some great bits of useless information like the fact that the famous Ardmore Pottery was once based on Springvale Farm here in Rosetta. Our official address is actually Portion 36 of the Farm Springvale but 1 Rose Lane sounds a bit more romantic. I also enjoyed reading local foodie blog Food With A Story which has some interesting posts on artisan producers and Ask Ashe a useful Durban-based blog which promotes all things local and has great market listings. Both are worth a look-see.
The next time you pick up a packet of Blue Ribbon flour have a look on the side to see this little citation: "Blue Ribbon Flour is Kwazulu Natal's oldest and most trusted brand of flour. It was first made in 1906 by Arthur May and his company, Arthur May & Collier. To this day some people still refer to the mill as 'May's Mill'. Eileen Mary May was one of Arthur's young daughters and it was she who, on the farm 'Stagstones' near Rosetta named Blue Ribbon Flour. Her blue ribbon lying on the old yellowwood kitchen table one morning was the inspiration for the name".
Sweet, hey?
Stagstones Farm in the Kamberg still exists and is well known for its trout fishing and the original mill building is still here in Rosetta and I'll take a pic of it when it has stopped raining.
Recently we've discovered Champagne Valley Stonemill Flour, quite handy if you own a bakery. I'm dying to visit this family business and we'll plan a 'look-see' when The Baker is out again. I am in constant amazement at the quality of produce here in the Midlands. You only have to look to the right hand side of this blog (eyes right) where I link just some of our good local producers to see what I'm on about.
I thought I'd have a go at making Champagne Valley's recipe for Winter Bread as we are eating a lot of soup these days and I havn't yet tried to bake any bread since we arrived (well I'm not actually a baker, that's why.....).
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