Mrs Ruth Kirkham is a third-generation cheesemaker and began making Lancashire Cheese as Beesley Farm over 30 years ago. In the early days Ruth and husband John started the day with the first milking of their herd of 40 Holstein Friesian cows. The milk was pumped straight into a small vat in their little dairy next door. This was then turned into cheese. The meadows on which the cows graze have an abundance of wild flowers and herbs such as meadowsweet, dandelion and clover which all assist the acidity levels in the milk. They also encourage the development of the cheese’s flavour and texture. Also available smoked, Ruth’s son Graham also smokes the traditional Lancashire Cheese over oak and beech chippings to give the cheese a smooth, smoky flavour, which is not too overpowering, and retains its delicate crumbly texture.