Best beef that’s not just for Christmas

HOLYHEAD butcher Raymond Jones had singled out Rizzo, a 672kg Limousin x heifer, long before she was tapped out as the Winter Fair’s supreme champion.

Determined to buy her for his customers, he debated strategies with meat buyer Mark Webster, a long-time friend.

Mr Jones won’t disclose the details but it’s fair to say the upper limit was exceeded.

“I liked the look of the heifer when I saw her on the Monday,” he said. “She was an excellent animal.

“But I wasn’t expecting Mark to bid that high for her! We came to a quiet agreement after the show.”

With Gaerwen mart ditching its annual Christmas fatstock show and sale, Mr Jones headed to Builth Wells instead for his festive purchases.

As well as capturing the supreme champion, he put his name on two Angleseybred beasts. Another purchase was a prize winner from Ruthin’s Christmas show.

Mr Jones already has enough pre-orders to cover his costs, ensuring a happy Christmas for both butcher and customers.

He added: “Some people you only see once a year, in December, but I take great pride in offering quality meat every week of the year.

“I like to buy in the best quality and it’s nice to get so many compliments about my meat. Supermarkets slaughter animals one day, then display them the next, whereas my meat is properly matured to produce a fuller flavour.”

Raymond’s business, JR Jones in Stanley Street, is now the last remaining butcher’s shop in Holyhead. Before the big multiples arrived, the town boasted 18 butchers.