Monk’s Folly, a traditional mould rinded soft cow’s milk cheese originating from Middle Age monks, picked up first prize in the semi soft rind washed category at the 150th Great Yorkshire Show Cheese Awards.

Handmade by North Yorkshire cheesemakers, Shepherds Purse, the latest innovation was made exclusively for J Sainsbury as a new Christmas cheese last year.
The Fine Fettle Yorkshire Cheese took second place in the same category, whilst Mrs Bells Blue, one of the company’s leading ewe’s milk blue cheeses, bagged the silver award in the soft blue ewes milk category.
The company’s bestseller, Yorkshire Blue, made with 100% local cow’s milk, came in fourth in the blue veined category against the likes of Stilton and Blue Wensleydale.
Commenting on the win Judy Bell, chief executive of Shepherds Purse Cheeses says: “As true researchers and innovators, monks greatly improved cheese ripening and ageing techniques during the Middle Ages and revived the practice of cheese-making.”