Shepherds Purse

Shepherds Purse is a family-owned artisan cheesemaker based in Thirsk, North Yorkshire. It was founded by the late Judy Bell MBE in 1989 and has gone on to win more than 400 awards for its range of handmade cheeses.

The business is now run by Judy’s daughters, Katie Matten and Caroline Bell and grown to produce 11 cheeses made from a variety of milks including sheep, cow, water buffalo and most recently organic local cow’s milk.

It is famous for its Yorkshire Blue, Harrogate Blue and Mrs Bell’s Salad Cheese, which was originally called Yorkshire Feta until a challenge saw the Greeks awarded a PDO in 2008 when the name had to change.

We supported the cheesemaker with a regional, national consumer and trade PR to launch its new Organic Yorkshire Blue as well as supporting many award wins and its 35th anniversary celebrations which coincided with the Great Yorkshire Show 2024.

We secured more than 100 pieces of coverage in four months for the business including premium reviews in Olive and Delicious magazines and multiple Yorkshire and trade stories which has driven sales of their new cheese.