I was extremely saddened to hear of the recent death of Mandy Reed, cheesemaker and owner of Swaledale Cheese Company in North Yorkshire, UK.

Mandy and her husband David, took over the production of Swaledale in 1987. At that time, the only producer left making traditional Swaledale was Mrs Longstaff of Harkerside above Reeth in Swaledale, who had retired from cheesemaking, effectively rendering Swaledale extinct.

The recipe was shrouded in mystery and had been handed down Mrs Longstaff’s family for generations. However, in November 1986 Mrs Longstaff gave the original recipe to David & Mandy Reed and, acting as chief taster, she helped them to re-establish an authentic Swaledale cheese.