A KNIGHTON butcher used to carving his own path has come up with his own novel idea of remaining at the cutting edge of his profession despite the depression and difficulties of coronavirus.

Peter Smith, 35, has already put his meat where his mouth is this year by creating what he described as the UK’s biggest sausage roll in July before videos started appearing online of him making sausages blindfolded.

The mighty meat treat weighed in at 1kg, measured 19 inches and was available to buy at Knighton’s AJ Pugh Butchers for the princely sum of £15.

He was inspired to do the latter after seeing another Powys meat man, Newtown fishmonger Phil Roberts, identifying types of fish blindfolded on Saturday Night Takeaway back in 2013.

And even though lockdown has hit businesses hard – especially in Mid Wales – that hasn’t prevented Peter from sharpening his tools, as well as his horizons.

He’s created his own Facebook group – called Craft Butchers International – which has not only allowed him to carry on showcasing his own prime cuts on video and offering deals to customers, but also connecting with butchers around the world and providing them with a platform to share their own ideas and videos.

“I started my own butchers group on Facebook with about 100 members when the first lockdown came in and now we have 1,400 members and I’m hoping to hit 2,000 by Christmas,” said Peter, who works at family-owned shop in the Radnorshire town that also straddles England.

He created the group, a kind of butchers’ inner circle, as a way for fellow businesses and professionals to stay motivated during the ongoing pandemic, which has taken its toll – both financially and mentally.

Peter added: “I started this group so butchers all over the world could share their ideas and post new things up for everyone to see and show people how certain foods are made, by doing live videos for people to watch.

“Since I started the group I’ve had a lot of positive feedback, saying it's a brilliant idea, and with everything that's going on with coronavirus it's good to see that butchers are making a comeback.”

Peter certainly has had a lot of feedback, as well as support, with many industry suppliers getting in touch to promote and support him by providing free equipment and products.

The latest company to come aboard are London-based Stalwart Crafts, who make handmade leather aprons, providing Peter with his own custom-made apron, while seasoning and glaze producers Pureety have handed over products that Peter offers as part of the group’s monthly giveaways.

“I approached all the major companies and a lot of them are working with me,” said Peter, who’s been a butcher for nearly two decades after starting out as an assistant when he was a teenager.

“I do giveaways every month just for liking the group and sharing it so more people get to hear about it.”

He’s is also in touch with clothing company Falcon to supply the group while other industry stalwarts like Dalziel, Raps UK, Scobies Direct, Verstegen and MRC have all been hacking away to get hold of him.