We have been recognised for our apple orcharding in the UK Grower Awards 2015.

Celebrating the very best in the UK horticulture industry, for the first time the event included an award for the Grower of the Year in the Cider sector, which was presented to Thatchers. We were delighted to then go on and collect the Edibles Grower of the Year award for Fruit.

The awards were presented by art critic, historian and TV presenter Andrew Graham Dixon (pictured right with Thatchers’ Simon Williams).

The judges recognised our ongoing work to trial new methods of orcharding at Myrtle Farm. John Thatcher’s hedgerow planting trial has seen some 70,000 trees planted in a new, innovative style, enabling the apples to be harvested using a new straddle harvester which boasts a “shake and catch” system. This means the fruit does not touch the ground during the harvesting process, thus preserving quality of fruit.

John says, “We believe shake and catch is the way forward – the trial that we are undertaking is of immense value.”

Managing director Martin Thatcher adds, “We have always believed that the best cider starts in the orchards, which is why growing the highest quality apples for our cider is so important to us. It’s a real honour to be recognised by our peers within the horticultural industry for the work that we’ve been undertaking in the orchards.”

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For further information contact:

Penny Adair, Tel: 0117 9040173