CORONAVIRUS UPDATE 27TH AUGUST 2021

Covid Update

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon hosted a media briefing at the end of a week that has seen the number of Covid cases in Scotland surge to record highs.
There have been a further 6,835 new cases of the virus recorded – by far the highest figure since the pandemic began.
The previous record high was the 5,021 cases that were recorded on Wednesday.

Ms Sturgeon says the government is not considering introducing a so-called circuit breaker lockdown to try to limit the spread of the virus
The first minister describes some of the speculation in the media is “not accurate” and confirms the government is “not currently considering a circuit breaker lockdown”

The number of people in hospital has increased by 52 to 479, with 17 people in intensive care.
The deaths of a further four people who had recently tested positive for the virus have also been recorded.
Some NHS boards have postponed non-urgent surgery and many schools have been hit by outbreaks.

Meat @ The Mart Learning Experience Monday 25th October

Lanark Market, 20 places available, first come first served basis!
Objective: To highlight the Mart as an important part of the red meat sector, educate young members of butchery staff and enhance experienced butchers' knowledge of purchasing live.
Open to butchers who wish to purchase live and apprentices who wish to know more about the process and skills required.
Please send your details to [email protected] to register your interest. 20 places will be allocated on a first come first served basis.
Please refer to the attached document for more information!

Members Meeting Wednesday 8th Sept 2021 @ 7pm on Zoom

We are delighted to announce that MasterChef winner, Gary MacLean will be presenting at our next members zoom meeting on Wednesday 8th September at 7pm.
Gary will present some Autumn dishes and share cooking tips and knowledge with you your staff and apprentices. An e-mail will be sent out to all members and apprentices that we have on our database. If any members of your staff would like to join in, please let us know by sending us an e-mail contact for the individual. We will send out the meeting link details nearer the time.
Book your place [email protected] or [email protected]

Fochabers butcher first to start carving-up on craft butchery skills

A young butcher from Fochabers has successfully completed the prestigious Craft Butcher Diploma of Scotland after the new partnership between Quality Meat Scotland and the Scottish Craft Butchers enabled him to overcome the financial barriers associated with further skills training.
Matthew Newlands, who works at A.J. Jamieson Butcher based in Fochabers, was delighted to be able to undertake the internationally recognised training and successfully complete the diploma.
The partnership between QMS and Scottish Craft Butchers was established in March 2021. QMS fund 50% of the training fees with the trainee or business picking up the other 50%. QMS contributed toward Matthew's training, which was delivered by Craft Skills Scotland assessors, with butchery business owners signing off on the competency of trainees in required areas.
The diploma is internationally recognised as formal and comprehensive evidence of quality training and achievement in the Scottish Retail Meat Industry and is the next step from the Modern Apprenticeship in SVQ Meat and Poultry Skills at Level 3 (SCQF 6) or for experienced butchers requiring certification.
Matthew Newlands commented: “Completing the diploma has been great for developing my skills and knowledge. I have gained confidence and I'm excited about the future of our butchery business.
“I would encourage anyone looking to apply to do so, the award is well received by consumers and has helped promote our business.”
Gordon Newlands, qualified butcher and Brands Development Manager for QMS, said:
“We know how important it is to ensure that the next generation of butchers has the opportunity to access training to continue the tradition of our craftsmanship, speciality and innovation.
“It's fantastic to see the impact this new partnership has already made, and I look forward to seeing more members of the Scotch Butcher Club undertake this training opportunity.”
Gordon King, Executive Manager at Scottish Craft Butchers, echoed the sentiments and said:
“We want butchers – regardless of their location and economic status – to have the opportunity to further their career. Through this partnership with QMS, we're able to relieve financial barriers associated with further skills training, helping more young and ambitious butchers to attain the prestigious Craft Butcher Diploma of Scotland.”
QMS will be supporting members of the Scotch Butchers Club to undertake the training by funding 50% of the training fee to the value of £250.
To apply for funding towards the Craft Butcher Diploma, trainees can download the application form via the www.scotchbutchers.com and email the completed form to [email protected]

Meat Managers Hygiene and HACCP Course

6-8th September 2021 (FULL)
27-29 September 2021 (Only One space left)
Please get in touch if suitable for you or a staff member!
It is a legal requirement to make sure that our businesses have an operational and auditable food safety management system in place.
We have traditionally held our Meat Managers Hygiene and HACCP courses in one location on one day. These have been held throughout the country and have proven very popular and useful in the development of individuals within the business who are required to take responsibility for the implementation of the HACCP system.
The courses have been delivered by Verner Wheelock.
Paul Bache has presented these courses for many years on behalf of Scottish Craft Butchers and the certificates issued are recognised by the local authority environmental health officers.

Due to the current restrictions we cannot hold face to face courses.
Therefore, we have decided to offer the course online during a video meetings in September.
The format will be 3 x afternoons (3 hours each session) on a Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday with a maximum of 7 places. Each candidate will have to attend all 3 sessions!

Cost is £250 per candidate.
The course content is available on request.

OUR PREVIOUS 3 SESSIONS IN APRIL AND MAY ACHIEVED A 95% PASS RATE!

If you would like to find out more or register yourself or someone in your business on the course, please e-mail Claire Simpson [email protected]

Update to e-mail contact details

As we have now completed the process of changing the name of the organisation to “Scottish Craft Butchers” we have also taken to opportunity to change our e-mail addresses to reflect this.
Please note the new e-mail contact details for Gordon and Bruce below.
Our mobile numbers remain the same.

Gordon King: [email protected] 07917524313
Bruce McCall: [email protected] 07834490922

The Scottish Craft Butchers office in Perth is staffed every weekday.

We will be available to our members to answer any queries via email or by mobile phone
and will be available out of office hours for any members wanting to contact us.