A True Lady of Cheese

Val Bines, one of the most influential figures in British and international cheesemaking, passed away peacefully on Thursday 1st May 2025. Her contribution to the world of cheese spanned more than 60 years, and her wisdom, generosity, and good humour left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to work with her.

Despite a diagnosis of bone cancer a few years ago, Val remained active and in good spirits until her final days. Her enduring presence in the industry — still advising cheesemakers into 2025 — is a testament to her deep dedication and enduring love for the craft.

Val was one of the last in a great line of pioneering women in cheese, learning her craft from the likes of Miss Maddever and Miss Chapman. With her passing, an extraordinary chapter in the history of British dairying draws to a close.

A Lifelong Commitment to Dairying

Val began her career by earning a National Diploma in Dairying in 1961. She initially taught at the Durham School of Agriculture and later at Reaseheath, before joining the National Institute for Research into Dairying at Shinfield. There she met her husband, John Bines, an animal nutritionist.

While raising their daughter Emma, Val continued her work in the dairy sector with the Milk Marketing Board (MMB), serving as a butter grader and dairy technologist. Later, she joined the MMB’s Product Development Centre, and following its closure, moved to Reading University, where she contributed to numerous dairy research projects.

From 2001 to 2008, Val brought her considerable expertise to Quicke’s Cheese, significantly improving cheese quality and consistency. She also developed their Hard Goat’s Cheese — a recipe she had refined over many years and one that stands as a legacy of her skill and innovation.

A Voice for Artisan Cheesemakers

Val’s impact extended well beyond individual businesses. She was a dedicated educator and advocate for artisan cheesemaking, serving as Head of Dairy at the School of Artisan Food at Welbeck.

Together with her close colleague Christine Ashby, Val co-founded AB Cheesemaking. This initiative provided hands-on training in cheesemaking at Reaseheath and played a vital role in bridging the gap between artisan producers and regulators. One notable course saw Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) making raw milk cheese and learning to defend their processes from a HACCP perspective — a key moment in fostering regulatory understanding before the creation of the Specialist Cheesemakers Association’s Code of Practice.

Her work laid the groundwork for more robust and respectful relationships between small producers and local authorities, helping protect the future of traditional and raw milk cheesemaking in the UK.

Val advised cheesemakers of all sizes, from large-scale producers like Alvis Brothers to small artisan makers of cheeses such as Tunworth and Winterdale. Her expertise even crossed borders — she supported Avonlea in Prince Edward Island, Canada, in developing their clothbound cheddar.

A Lasting Legacy

In 2006, Val received the Dairy Industries Award for exceptional contribution to the cheese industry — recognition of the immense value she brought to the field.

She will be remembered not only for her encyclopaedic knowledge and technical acumen, but for the way she shared it: gently, respectfully, and always with kindness. She spoke to managing directors and junior operators with the same care, quietly explaining the “why” behind every suggestion, always delivered with warmth and a twinkle in her eye.

Many will remember Val arriving in her beloved racing green Mazda MX5, full of laughter, stories, and tales of her mischievous terrier, Scruffy. Both were part of a long line of much-loved cars and dogs that accompanied her on her visits to cheesemakers across the country.

Her passing is a profound loss — not only to those who knew her personally, but to the entire industry, which continues to benefit from the standards she set and the wisdom she shared.

With Deepest Respect

Val Bines is survived by her husband John and daughter Emma. She leaves behind a vast legacy of excellence, mentorship, and quiet leadership in cheesemaking.

Letters of condolence may be sent to:
Mr J Bines
17 Walden Avenue
Arborfield
Reading
RG2 9HR

Her funeral will take place at:
Easthampstead Park Crematorium
Thursday 29th May at 2pm

Followed by a wake at:
Easthampstead Park Hotel
Off Peacock Lane
Bracknell, Wokingham
RG40 3DF

She will be sorely missed.