Solley’s Kentish Ice Cream has been shortlisted in two categories at the 2015 Red Ribbon Awards. The family-run company, based in Ripple, near Deal, is a finalist in both the Best of British and Big Heart awards.
The Red Ribbon Awards are organised by Family Business Place; a national organisation dedicated to promoting and supporting British family businesses. The winners will be announced at a prestigious awards ceremony and charity ball at London’s Globe Theatre on July 10.
The Best of British award category recognises businesses that fly the flag for their national heritage and use British suppliers and ingredients wherever possible. The Big Heart category rewards companies that play an active part in their local community and work hard to raise money for charity.
Solley’s is currently celebrating its 30th year of producing real Kentish dairy ice cream and is the largest independent producer in the county. The dairy sources 85 per cent of its base products from Kent and uses British sugar. All milk and cream is farm assured and comes from a Channel Island herd on a neighbouring farm, keeping food miles to a minimum.
Solley’s also has a proud history of charity work and fund-raising; last year, Stephen Solley and son Richard raised a record £4,000 for Martha Trust in a sponsored car rally to Monte Carlo. The company also sponsors the Deal Carnival and the Dover Sharks rugby team, raises fund for the Kent Air Ambulance and works with the Canterbury Young Farmers group.
Keith Morrison, Solley’s general manager, said: “It’s an honour to be nominated for the Red Ribbon Awards and it’s great to be recognised for our commitment to using British suppliers and ingredients wherever possible. It’s very important to us – both as a business and as a family – that we give back to our local community as much as possible, so we’re thrilled to be a finalist in the Big Heart category as well.”
