Shropshire butchers work day and night to deliver turkeys for Christmas Day

Butchers in Shropshire were up at the crack of dawn on Christmas Day as Salopians grabbed the last turkeys

Published 13 hours ago

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People were queueing outside A Ryan & Son in Much Wenlock at 6.30am on Christmas Eve as people got their hands on what they needed for their festive feasts today.

Paddy Ryan, who runs the shop, said the team have been pulling some long shifts to make sure as many as possible are able to get what they need.

“One or two of the days we’ve been in just after midnight,” he said, speaking to the Shropshire Star on Christmas Eve.

“Our worst day was Monday (December 23). There was quite a queue.

“Today there were about six or seven.

“We get quite a few coming from Bishops Castle, Church Stretton and places like that,” he said, adding that some like a day out in a more “traditional” shopping town rather than at a big shopping centre.

LAST COPYRIGHT NATIONAL WORLD STEVE LEATH 22/12/24We catch up with The Ryan Butchers team who also run the pie shop next door. Its been full on for them as some days there in just after midnight and were open at 6.30am this morning. People travel some distance for there pies and food. At the front is the family: Paddy Ryan then F-B: Mike Ryan and Sam Ryan, then some of the team at the back L-R: Elijah Beau-Campbell, Lee Willis and Knox Davis.

Turkey is “still popular” at Christmas according to Paddy, although he admits he’s partial to roast beef and “passionate” about roast duck.

He also said goose is “probably the most expensive” of birds to buy for Christmas dinner, and you would “have difficulty” feeding a big number of people.

After a challenging build up to Christmas, Paddy is looking forward to taking a breather today and enjoying time with his family.

“My grandchildren demand attention so I’ll be building Lego,” he said.