‘I would travel through time and space, just to have a butchers at your face’ wrote Robyn Hitchcock back in the 90’s (my uncle used to play keyboards for him - but that’s another story!).

Now I would travel through time and space, just to have a butchers called ‘George Payne’ on my doorstep.

After so many years living in Gosforth, I can’t quite believe it’s taken me so long to visit a renowned butcher I have known about for so many years. But I’m glad I finally did; it was worth the trip.

George Payne has been a butcher for 40 years now and says he can't recall wanting to do anything else for a living. His eponymous butchers is listed in Rick Steins Food Heroes primarily because of the quality of the meat sold and it's flavour - almost all of it is from Northumberland. He says ‘The business remains committed to putting the taste back into food. I like to think that I have created a village shop in the city.

The shop has been likened by many people to the rural butchers in France and Holland’. George is a member of the Guild of Quality Butchers and a Member of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust.

Now those of you who know me will understand my passion for the markets the Grainger Market and the farmers’ markets included - but this guy is in another league altogether. And it’s not just the quality of the produce I’m talking about - you’ll also find knowledge and experience which was a real help when I wanted to make Lancashire Hotpot.

Not only did I come out with some beautiful lamb chops and fresh kidneys for the hotpot, but also a plump fresh free range chicken from the Blagdon Estate, some excellent dry cure bacon and some of the best pork sausages I’ve ever eaten!

So the next time you want some really top notch meat, have a look at George Payne Butchers on Princes Road, Brunton Park or visit http://www.georgepaynebutchers.co.uk