tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75997201963426726662024-03-13T00:32:06.737+00:00Orchard GroundcareEverything to do with planting, pruning, maintaining, restoring, harvesting and celebrating...orchards!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7599720196342672666.post-30403538188335199452014-10-02T11:55:00.001+01:002014-10-02T11:55:27.056+01:00Orchard Groundcare - website<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We now have a website for Orchard Groundcare. And, as many of you will say, about time too!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We have enjoyed writing the blog, and it will continue here for a while until it too migrates to the website. Meanwhile, please visit us at <a href="http://www.orchardgroundcare.co.uk./">www.orchardgroundcare.co.uk.</a></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7599720196342672666.post-40182398537980877842014-10-02T11:19:00.000+01:002014-10-02T11:19:35.497+01:00Cider reception at the House of Commons<br />
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On 9 September we were lucky enough to be on the Terrace of the House of Commons on a lovely summer evening, with a great view of the London Eye on the opposite side of the Thames, all glowing blue.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The All-Party Parliamentary Cider Group holds receptions for politicians and the industry on a regular basis, hosted by Ian Liddell-Grainger MP, Chairman. It was the first time at the House of Commons for some of us, and what an awe inspiring place it is!</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“When we talk to growers and farmers about planting new orchards we are asking them to accept no income for a couple of years and to wait seven years for a full crop, weather permitting.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“They will only contemplate doing that if we guarantee to buy their apples for twenty-five years and if we can convince them that we </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">will continue to invest to increase consumer appeal with a broader and innovative range of great ciders that people want to buy.</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“Cider has a bright future – the fact that cider makers and growers are prepared to make that commitment is testament to their confidence – with support from government we can deliver that potential and do more to </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">support the rural communities we are part of.”</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was great to see lots of familiar faces from Somerset at the reception, and to taste the very generous samples that cider-makers had supplied. We particularly enjoyed Sheppy's award winning Oak Matured Vintage cider, as well as Thatcher's Gold.</span></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7599720196342672666.post-55229391043037185432014-08-26T08:07:00.000+01:002014-08-26T08:07:07.005+01:00NACM Open Day at Thatcher’s Cider<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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July 17 was a glorious day for the</div>
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annual NACM Open Day, held</div>
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this year for the first time at</div>
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Thatcher’s in Sandford,</div>
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Somerset.The setting was a</div>
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gently sloping hill with magnificent</div>
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views over a meticulously kept</div>
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orchard. </div>
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Growers and industry colleagues</div>
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were treated to excellent</div>
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presentations from Kevin</div>
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Workman on <i>Pests and Diseases</i>, </div>
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Liz Copas on <i>Climate Change,</i></div>
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John Worle on <i>New Varieties</i>,</div>
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Richard Johnson on <i>What the </i></div>
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<i>Cider-maker wants</i>, and John</div>
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importance of trials.</div>
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show, with helpful guidance from</div>
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Somerset Fruit Machinery</div>
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representative Ian Game.</div>
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France and The Netherlands had</div>
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A good lunch and lots of</div>
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Thatcher’s cider made for an</div>
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excellent day.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7599720196342672666.post-43463491220778260052014-06-18T11:00:00.000+01:002014-06-18T11:07:14.460+01:00Bath & West Society Show 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW38Ov17xA8dq1HJE6ZcRGtRlkWq1TkjfwGRYFOabNEm0FDOuDFxiVSwXGQP_giWRXRVzwEexWe7lMClO5oi2ZLbM_maFWN4zhxpNDfGTvn9NAqKEUp8M_yUkfdt7_3ZX5Voc7CBDLTNs/s1600/IMGP0811-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW38Ov17xA8dq1HJE6ZcRGtRlkWq1TkjfwGRYFOabNEm0FDOuDFxiVSwXGQP_giWRXRVzwEexWe7lMClO5oi2ZLbM_maFWN4zhxpNDfGTvn9NAqKEUp8M_yUkfdt7_3ZX5Voc7CBDLTNs/s1600/IMGP0811-001.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The cider competition at the Royal Bath & West Society Show, held at Shepton Mallet, Somerset, is the largest cider competition in the world. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2014 saw 560 entries, which was another record and left the judges with a remarkably difficult task.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Judging took place over three sessions, with the Supreme Champion being announced at the end of all the considerations.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span class="s1">Most of the winners in the various different sections were newcomers, with the exception of Hecks, who have </span>always been so generous in sharing knowledge with new producers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span class="s1">The overall winner of the Fruiterers' Cup for Champion British Cider was Broadpool Cider, an artisan cider which united the judges and </span>defeated all of the commercial brands. It just goes to show that great cider really can be made in a garage!</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Everyone was particularly pleased with the entrants for the International Award.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It is highly likely that this part of the event will continue to grow over the next few years, and we look forward to more international entrants as cider increases its following worldwide.</span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7599720196342672666.post-72866877218281504872014-04-01T10:00:00.001+01:002014-04-01T10:02:10.659+01:00South West of England Cider-makers Association<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0jMT7gDCnvMZSYOMWYQbKfe6qKOi1VXpwHadpBBjpfm6p269L_Cd0g1fU-h62UfUH44TWKP_JOWjOOwfpmV9Wi-edZyaECuhYSr8g2BDS-1xow9H6eevBS6p-MQR1g140lmjgYQIGSCY/s1600/Harvest+2010+DSCF2522-69.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0jMT7gDCnvMZSYOMWYQbKfe6qKOi1VXpwHadpBBjpfm6p269L_Cd0g1fU-h62UfUH44TWKP_JOWjOOwfpmV9Wi-edZyaECuhYSr8g2BDS-1xow9H6eevBS6p-MQR1g140lmjgYQIGSCY/s1600/Harvest+2010+DSCF2522-69.JPG" height="320" width="236" /></a></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Spring meeting of the South West of England Cider-makers Association was held at Thatcher’s, by kind invitation of John and Martin Thatcher.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After the appalling weather of the past months there is great concern about the health of the trees and what it might be possible to do about it. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It is likely that the worst effects of the flooding will not be apparent until July or August, when the trees are at their most stressed and need their roots to provide nutrition.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Robert Fovargue of Pearce Seeds gave a very well received presentation in which he </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">discussed some of the measures available to growers. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Soil structure may have been damaged and poor drainage areas will be particularly apparent.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">First do your annual soil sample </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">to check your Ph levels. Simply</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">applying nitrogen to your soil is not going to be enough if it is out of balance, lacking for example zinc or boron.</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A more precise way of getting nitrogen into the plant is by applying a foliar feed which will filter down gently into the roots. Phosphite feeds are particularly worth looking at as they optimise plant metabolism and improve performance, especially if the plant is under stress. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As the feed reaches the roots it will have picked up a further oxygen molecule, delivering what is then Phosphate to the roots.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Robert’s advice is to do what you normally do to feed the roots, but above that to feed the leaf rather than the soil. </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7599720196342672666.post-11644967019053371052014-02-28T10:18:00.000+00:002014-02-28T10:18:20.084+00:00Mechanical pruning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Robert Fovargue, the agronomist for Pearce Seeds, was kind enough to invite a group of Somerset growers to meet the Hereford contractor Rob Collins who has had a lot of experience with mechanical pruning.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Robert and John Worle first showed us round several orchards with trees at different ages and pruned in different ways, including mechanically.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We were intrigued by Rob Collins’ machinery, seen above.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Growers that have tried mechanical pruning are all continuing to experiment; none of them have rejected the method in favour of solely hand pruning. It tends to be done in the summer, after eight true leaves have formed. </span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hereford and Somerset do however have very different needs and it is clear that the vigour of the Hereford </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">orchards is a great deal stronger than ours here in Somerset. With Hereford’s historical connections with hop growing and intensive horticultural production we have a lot to learn from them.</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Although none of us in Somerset yet has the kit to try mechanical pruning we are keen to give it a go. Perhaps we can get Rob Collins to come down and give us a demonstration.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For an article by Rob Collins please see <span class="s2"><a href="http://cideruk.com/files/PDF/MechanicalPruninginCiderFruit2013.pdf">here</a></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">and for the YouTube video please see <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYlbgO_QRIE"><span class="s2">here</span></a></span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7599720196342672666.post-31098608875864527902014-02-17T11:38:00.001+00:002014-02-17T11:38:29.710+00:00SIVAL, France<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We were extremely impressed with the the SIVAL horticultural exhibition in Angers, France.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What caught our attention most was the sheer number of businesses that have a role to play in the industry. This is the largest horticultural exhibition in France and we certainly saw more apple related people, equipment and businesses in one place than we could ever dream of seeing in the UK. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This is possible because of the participation of such high income generating businesses as the wine industry and we found lots of </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">crossover innovations that we can use in our own business.</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We have never come across a situation where we could see every single brand of orchard tractor in one place, but they were all here. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We saw exhibits of everything from posts and wires to harvesting machinery and bottling equipment.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was not hard to get to and completely free to enter. Lots of business seemed to be being transacted and we met up with some old friends. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We would encourage everybody to attend next year - perhaps we will hire a charabanc!</span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7599720196342672666.post-41839935924623188392014-02-17T11:34:00.000+00:002014-02-17T11:34:11.326+00:00SIVAL and Vegepolys, France<div class="p1">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwtLDfURKisRCAiEj1egOIH5-0gTvH4vSBsi4WN8dZzCcdZ3IPHx3PU3eD3gF1oe6dADudhzpvuC9mYVPwXIyUvdtPvH_3scrJLHYf8-QWgaY9C7cdDB5pAEjShp-c_kiBISSnNXeGh3s/s1600/logo_sival.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwtLDfURKisRCAiEj1egOIH5-0gTvH4vSBsi4WN8dZzCcdZ3IPHx3PU3eD3gF1oe6dADudhzpvuC9mYVPwXIyUvdtPvH_3scrJLHYf8-QWgaY9C7cdDB5pAEjShp-c_kiBISSnNXeGh3s/s1600/logo_sival.gif" height="160" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"><a href="http://www.vegepolys.eu/en/vegepolys-symposium/">Vegepolys</a></span><span class="s2"> is a symposium that takes place on 14 January 2014 during the SIVAL horticultural exhibition in Angers, France.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s2"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Working with <span class="s1"><a href="http://www.gis-fruits.org/">GIS Fruits</a></span>, a French consortium specialising in research, training and innovation, this year’s Vegepolys event is entitled <b>Protection of </b></span></span><b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Tomorrow’s Orchard and Pome Fruit.</span></b></div>
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<span class="s2"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The programme for 14 January starts at 2.00 and ends at 5.00. </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It will consist of presentations on orchard protection and fruit quality, sustainable production systems, post harvest problems and storage diseases.</span></div>
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<span class="s2"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Included is a presentation from IFPC (Institut Francais des Productions Cidricoles) on <span class="s1"><a href="http://www.ifpc.eu/infos-techniques/verger-et-materiel-vegetal/le-verger-cidricole.html">The Cider Orchard of Tomorrow.</a></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="s2"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The good news for non-French speakers is that simultaneous </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">translation facilities are available with a headset.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"><a href="http://www.sival-angers.com/en/sival/sival-plant-production-trade-show/">SIVAL</a></span><span class="s2"><a href="http://www.sival-angers.com/en/sival/sival-plant-production-trade-show/"> </a>is a big trade exhibition taking in all aspects of the plant production business, including viticulture, horticulture, </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">arboriculture, seeds, medicinal and aromatic plants, cider, mushrooms, vegetables and tobacco.</span></div>
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<span class="s2"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You have to register with SIVAL to attend the Vegepolys symposium and we must warn you that the SIVAL website is very difficult to navigate! Registration is free and there will be about 600 exhibitors.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We will report back in our January newsletter.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7599720196342672666.post-11568210257963204742013-11-21T10:41:00.000+00:002013-11-21T11:31:22.676+00:00Nuffield Farming Scholarship for Neil Macdonald<div class="p1">
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It is with great pride that we announce that Orchard Groundcare’s Director, Neil </span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Macdonald, has been awarded a Nuffield Farming Scholarship for 2014.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span class="s2"><a href="http://www.nuffieldscholar.org/">NUFFIELD</a></span><span class="s3"> </span><span class="s1">is an organisation that awards individuals with life changing opportunities that span their personal and professional lives, with a view to developing agricultural sector leaders and innovators of the future.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Neil is taking as his topic <b>Orcharding Systems for </b></span></span><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">the Next Decade. </b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">He intends to</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">All Nuffield Scholars are sponsored by industry bodies, associations, individuals and charities. Neil’s Scholarship will be sponsored by </span><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Worshipful Company of Fruiterers.</b></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We look forward to his Reports!</span></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7599720196342672666.post-85948723225094888882013-10-17T11:27:00.000+01:002013-10-17T11:27:23.363+01:00New plantings at West Bradley Orchards<div class="p1">
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In last month’s newsletter we mentioned Neil Macdonald’s trip to a nursery in France to see how our order for 3000 Idared maidens was coming along. We are now preparing the ground at West Bradley Orchards to receive the trees, which should arrive in February.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Edward Clifton-Brown, the owner of West Bradley Orchards, is once again using the post and wire system that was so highly commended in the summer, when West Bradley won the award for the Best Cider Orchard in the South West at the Bath & West Society Show. <span class="s1"></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In addition we are trialling the large scale use of compost produced to BSI PAS 100 specification. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Recent results have shown that compost can increase the organic matter levels in the soil and improve its structure. It replaces fertiliser in the form of NPK, provides sulphur, magnesium and trace elements, and protects against adverse weather conditions, such as cold and wet.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We are sure this will improve the quality of our heavy Somerset soils, giving the young trees the best possible start in life and offering natural protection against diseases such as canker.</span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7599720196342672666.post-68758556609908780362013-10-17T11:22:00.000+01:002013-10-17T11:22:06.920+01:00A study visit to a major French nursery<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span class="s2">In August </span><span class="s1">Neil Macdonald was part of a group of English growers who were invited by <a href="http://www.jrbreach.com/?q=node/2"><span class="s3">J R Breach</span></a>, suppliers of fruit trees and root stocks, to visit the nurseries and orchards of <a href="http://www.pepival.com/?lang=en"><span class="s3">Pepinieres du Valois </span></a>at Villers-Cotterets in Northern France.</span><span class="s1"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span class="s1">Neil reports “PdV is one of the </span>largest apple nurseries in the world and the scale of the operation was absolutely amazing. The company is part of the International New Varieties Network <a href="http://www.nurserynet.com/"><span class="s3">(INN)</span></a>, founded in 1995, which specialises in the development of new fruit varieties worldwide. The membership of INN accounts for around 18 million finished trees and 38.5 million rootstocks annually.</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I was pleased to be able to see some of the trees they are growing for us and very happy with progress to date.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span class="s1">It is always good to step outside the box and see what is happening elsewhere in the business. The rest of the group came mainly from Kent and the east of England and it was </span>valuable to see things from their point of view. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The area of french cider orchards is not going up and production is pretty much static, unlike ours. This year they are expecting a fair crop, with 80% of all cider fruit going through one processor.”</span><span class="s1"></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7599720196342672666.post-86011786454694586582013-07-27T10:50:00.001+01:002013-07-27T10:58:27.201+01:00Pick-Your-Own and Apple Scrumping Day at West Bradley Orchards<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZwpu2jkyGEx39ic0cCoKWMNqYtvPXEZ6RG3q8tTpkKsT3_A-7yy8So2aQlpkFA1p7nmTS5eGiauZ_MVWrUZwb-oJ0Cpo0SWc4JVGOthXIOQtkmNGaPri9NL5jg0jrai02A1hBMMP1LGg/s1600/DSCF2364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZwpu2jkyGEx39ic0cCoKWMNqYtvPXEZ6RG3q8tTpkKsT3_A-7yy8So2aQlpkFA1p7nmTS5eGiauZ_MVWrUZwb-oJ0Cpo0SWc4JVGOthXIOQtkmNGaPri9NL5jg0jrai02A1hBMMP1LGg/s320/DSCF2364.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For a chance to see the Best Cider Orchard in the South West (Bath & West Society Award 2013) do come to West Bradley (BA6 8LT) on weekends in September, when the orchards will be open for Pick-Your-Own apples and pears. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Many of the varieties are </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">unavailable in supermarkets, such as Charles Ross, Egremont Russet, Jonagold, Ashmead’s Kernel, Orleans Reinette, Kidd’s Orange, Worcester Pearmain as well as Bramley and Cox.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The orchards will be open for </span><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">PYO</b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> on weekends only from Friday 6 Sept through to Sunday 29 Sept and on Sunday 15 Sept for </span><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Apple Scrumping Day</b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> when you can pick apples and make your own juice from them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">If the weather is good bring a picnic!</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7599720196342672666.post-25273530802543044562013-07-27T10:46:00.003+01:002013-07-27T10:59:22.610+01:00Biggest walnut harvest ever at West Bradley<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbWNpY6Li69xYPOMnFQ_H9vb8aS3N2dL_r__3SQ9LRniUTfZhIeM4CI37kDEjSkPSrz0H8GSye9v0gAylNVyAeafKDHUPl2kRIUVYKO6gwv08aFYOeSOSHa-PfH68YVWFTmoglfMdoaY/s1600/Walnut+pickers+WBO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbWNpY6Li69xYPOMnFQ_H9vb8aS3N2dL_r__3SQ9LRniUTfZhIeM4CI37kDEjSkPSrz0H8GSye9v0gAylNVyAeafKDHUPl2kRIUVYKO6gwv08aFYOeSOSHa-PfH68YVWFTmoglfMdoaY/s1600/Walnut+pickers+WBO.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">You may not know it but West Bradley Orchards is the only</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">commercial producer of walnuts for pickling in the country. Most pickled walnuts - a Christmas delicacy - are harvested in mainland Europe.</span><span class="s1"></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Yet another feather in the cap of these prize-winning and innovative orchards owned by </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Edward Clifton-Brown. Thanks go to the gallant team of young</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">pickers who have worked tirelessly through the heatwave to bring in a bumper crop accelerated by the warm weather.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The fruits are picked green, before the nuts inside have a chance to develop, and then brined and packaged ready for Christmas.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7599720196342672666.post-71211422315093477072013-06-19T13:01:00.000+01:002013-06-19T13:01:10.287+01:00West Bradley Orchards wins prize for Best Cider Orchard <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHhPTQs_QlE4c3vki-vmSeocrBBBnnYDKk1ET0rPWdxI_s8UyJlP9hdPIWS0DD3UVgBr4b9tBo1cpxi39CO5SG8K0WNeSoHWmbZ4fe_i8HDrvtiLofknwwfnu_xrix9dH6r7yPIg1MVeo/s1600/DSCF6458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHhPTQs_QlE4c3vki-vmSeocrBBBnnYDKk1ET0rPWdxI_s8UyJlP9hdPIWS0DD3UVgBr4b9tBo1cpxi39CO5SG8K0WNeSoHWmbZ4fe_i8HDrvtiLofknwwfnu_xrix9dH6r7yPIg1MVeo/s320/DSCF6458.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We are absolutely delighted to announce that West Bradley Orchards has won the top prize for the Best Cider Orchard at the Royal Bath & West Society Show 2013.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">West Bradley Orchards was described by the judges as “A first-rate modern intensive orchard of Falstaff and Red Windsor on canes supported by post and wire. The whole orchard is immaculately clean and tidy, scoring highly for attention to detail in the tree training, presentation and well maintained grass alleyways.”</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Owner Edward Clifton-Brown (above right) said “We are thrilled to have won this prestigious award. Our system of growing is different from traditional methods and we are conscious, and delighted, that the judges, in giving this prize to West Bradley Orchards, are looking to the future of Somerset orchards. Our competitors from abroad are already trialling new ways of growing apples, with great results. We must not be left behind.”</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The judges went on to say that West Bradley Orchards demonstrated “Good orchard management and sympathetic treatment of the margins and hedges”.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Neil Macdonald from Orchard Groundforce which manages West Bradley Orchards commented “West Bradley Orchards is a wonderful example of commercial growing and sustainability working hand in hand. With a growing global population we need to look at food security, and maximising our use of available growing spaces is vital. An orchard has ten times more wildlife than a grass field, offering habitats for hundreds of birds, insects, mammals and invertebrates as well as wildflowers, grasses, lichens and funghi.”</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Fruit from West Bradley Orchards goes into award winning ciders from Orchard Pig, Thatcher’s and The Shepton Mallet Cider Mill.</span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7599720196342672666.post-22446759935168375322013-05-05T19:22:00.000+01:002013-05-05T19:22:03.980+01:00Bath & West Society Show - 150th Anniversary <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">May 29 - June 1</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmdrJJ1YinDZNmDoiT8F2GgL7324JoXata-uXy4rkhiwTVkbtsPROLiqEWEyelMrWFONsxtQGDe4kfysw1pwlXaT3aWYS-ZRbGCAIOGfee1RznJVfcR9p3PAc9AzkCPWVPh8gDljt5Nas/s1600/RBWESLogo.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmdrJJ1YinDZNmDoiT8F2GgL7324JoXata-uXy4rkhiwTVkbtsPROLiqEWEyelMrWFONsxtQGDe4kfysw1pwlXaT3aWYS-ZRbGCAIOGfee1RznJVfcR9p3PAc9AzkCPWVPh8gDljt5Nas/s1600/RBWESLogo.gif" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Royal Bath & West Society show is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year at the Shepton Mallet showground.</span><br />
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The show started life in Victorian times as a travelling show, with the aim of demonstrating new technology to farmers. Now it is more about explaining farming to consumers.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This year every section of the show will be celebrating with special displays.We are particularly looking forward to the East Malling Research stand in the Orchards & Cider Marquee which promises to be fascinating for all orchard owners.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It’s always a terrific day out so we do hope to see you there!</span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7599720196342672666.post-58957359892372771912013-04-04T12:33:00.000+01:002013-04-04T12:33:10.339+01:00SWECA and ONE
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv4zfcK_JPfMZy0_xqzBOJMgpPYNkkReUoZsld-lCSucZly3BjCOq15mogRs9udN1xV3j3qw2SvnUbMfDJA9fVwYmONYpFsgLFNiPgjeNrcZbIwHjVk7d5iyinwf9uYHZRGthS3vyMdVs/s1600/sweca-logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv4zfcK_JPfMZy0_xqzBOJMgpPYNkkReUoZsld-lCSucZly3BjCOq15mogRs9udN1xV3j3qw2SvnUbMfDJA9fVwYmONYpFsgLFNiPgjeNrcZbIwHjVk7d5iyinwf9uYHZRGthS3vyMdVs/s200/sweca-logo.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">74 members attended the Spring meeting of the <b>South West of England Cidermakers’ Association</b>, held at <a href="http://www.richscider.co.uk/"><span class="s2">Rich’s Farmhouse Cider </span></a>at Watchfield.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After the meeting Liz Copas and Neil Macdonald gave a well received presentation on the care </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">of traditional orchards and the group held a lively discussion on a wide range of orcharding topics,</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">including soil compaction and drainage.</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The support being given by the <b>N</b>ational<b> A</b>ssociation of<b> C</b>ider <b>M</b>akers to ONE (Cider And Perry <b>O</b>rchards <b>N</b>etwork of <b>E</b>xcellence) drew many enthusiastic comments. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">ONE presented to SWECA and explained its new role, funded by the <a href="http://www.cideruk.com/"><span class="s2">NACM</span></a>, which will include communications with growers on matters such as knowledge sharing, investment, research, workshops and resources</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">ONE has been extremely successful at rallying growers and </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">has a track record as a proven network for disseminating information.</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This support is great for commercial growers and everyone is encouraged to become a member of ONE by clicking on <a href="http://www.caporchardsnetwork.co.uk/how-to-become-a-member"><span class="s2">this link</span></a>.</span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7599720196342672666.post-11493856179664555582013-03-10T17:54:00.000+00:002013-03-10T17:54:21.644+00:00Pruning Masterclass at West Bradley Orchards
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin_jw5AQ719bZX5CftWoVpg4PZrYh66CXfKJWO0yRLJJ_-VRLqtBEIi6UImNhuhyphenhyphen6jYjmP3i4fz85qUto_ndmmbDrlG5m0YnqJmLvCjGoG9DP_fSXHkvd-uFZWiLBUXh3qug761awgFsr9/s1600/DSCF5937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin_jw5AQ719bZX5CftWoVpg4PZrYh66CXfKJWO0yRLJJ_-VRLqtBEIi6UImNhuhyphenhyphen6jYjmP3i4fz85qUto_ndmmbDrlG5m0YnqJmLvCjGoG9DP_fSXHkvd-uFZWiLBUXh3qug761awgFsr9/s320/DSCF5937.JPG" width="199" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Last month we were delighted to</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">behalf of CAPONE <a href="http://www.caporchardsnetwork.co.uk/">(Cider & Perry </a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.caporchardsnetwork.co.uk/">Orchards </a></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.caporchardsnetwork.co.uk/">Network</a> </span><a href="http://www.caporchardsnetwork.co.uk/" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">of Excellence)</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">based in Hereford.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This is the first of four workshops</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">on cider apple growing in the</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">south-west this year. Others will</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">be looking at pest identification</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">and nutrient planning. (We will</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">keep you posted on dates.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The celebrated orchardman John</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Worle (above) guided us through his</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">all stages of their lives, with a</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">lively question and answer</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">session throughout.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With over fifty years experience in</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">production John is one of the best</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">known orchardmen in the country</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">and it was a privilege to listen to</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">his advice.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A few days prior to the West</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bradley Masterclass Neil</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Macdonald had been a guest at</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.johnworle.co.uk/">John’s nursery in Herefordshire</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">where some of the new varieties</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He said of the day “It was a</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">memorable experience. There is</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">nothing quite like being with other</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">orchard people, discussing the</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">topic closest to our hearts and</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">coming up with new ideas and</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">possibilities.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Some of John’s early orchard</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">knowledge was acquired at West</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bradley Orchards before he went</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">on to work at Long Ashton</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Research Station and later for</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He set up his own</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">since supplied over half a million</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">bare rooted cider apple trees to the industry.</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7599720196342672666.post-21500899556458339682013-01-20T19:31:00.000+00:002013-01-20T19:31:55.088+00:00An apple tree for Christmas
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1V3_QhFvGRMEEJ4bSO5OsdDI6QcnfwluJa9r_X2wOc30Aq8QOcy-PhbxWWjnDv0suZV87-4qITF4jEkZaLliviDRnUaBb0Slal598HFEaL5DQFNYClMoB4LQKhJu-0sjOBKUoiw7tCQw/s1600/DSCF5510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1V3_QhFvGRMEEJ4bSO5OsdDI6QcnfwluJa9r_X2wOc30Aq8QOcy-PhbxWWjnDv0suZV87-4qITF4jEkZaLliviDRnUaBb0Slal598HFEaL5DQFNYClMoB4LQKhJu-0sjOBKUoiw7tCQw/s1600/DSCF5510.JPG" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span class="s2"><a href="http://harbourandjones.com/">Harbour & Jones,</a></span><span class="s1"> the imaginative London based catering and hospitality services company, came up with a great idea for corporate Christmas presents. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Instead of the usual hamper they bought each of their clients an apple tree, which we will plant for them in Somerset. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">All together there will be some 40 trees which will be part of our programme of restoration for Somerset orchards.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We think this is a great idea - and so much more rewarding than socks!</span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7599720196342672666.post-74032325854240627022012-11-29T13:56:00.000+00:002012-11-29T13:56:19.305+00:00 Magners
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPVrj0DYEKnrS8gpXkb3L1MRedwfaA3FznfkTf8fm5WBUYIXviuIQnu4CORVknMht-yq9SlJejo9nHevo4AVUHagcc8PCMDUJG2njcjYAmPAdaQAJqt2B8Za1Vee_nVvjvKtaNG38HDKj3/s1600/Magners+logo.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPVrj0DYEKnrS8gpXkb3L1MRedwfaA3FznfkTf8fm5WBUYIXviuIQnu4CORVknMht-yq9SlJejo9nHevo4AVUHagcc8PCMDUJG2njcjYAmPAdaQAJqt2B8Za1Vee_nVvjvKtaNG38HDKj3/s1600/Magners+logo.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Earlier this month the Norton Cider Growers had an </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">exceedingly good meeting at the Shepton Cider Mill with C&C Magners, where the future of the relationship between the company and the growers was presented.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A willingness to work together was clearly evident, to the extent that C&C has pledged a fund of £1million for growers to offer ideas and projects for investment over the next year. Anything from new technology or equipment to new trials and plantings or whatever growers think will improve the business for C&C going forward. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Of particular interest will be ideas that will improve the supply of quality fruit, and extend the season, plus projects that fit with the C&C sustainability model of economic, social and environmental considerations.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7599720196342672666.post-58736656417183356242012-10-01T10:01:00.000+01:002012-10-01T17:51:28.829+01:00Equipment for hire<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">If you need some help over the harvest we have some equipment for hire that might make your life a lot easier. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKba2a-MloUlRdOlkRfUrAechw9zD8z_7SzrtCbhOjaXoyxfkYF4lTHzLjHJQua5v8PRUhzNut3-ixVlIiWRnizHqL2-z0S5S4JYsts4pc7AL7bLKwGuBLHH4Ufaxy7caxe0DaI_NiHBzw/s1600/DSCF5400-003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKba2a-MloUlRdOlkRfUrAechw9zD8z_7SzrtCbhOjaXoyxfkYF4lTHzLjHJQua5v8PRUhzNut3-ixVlIiWRnizHqL2-z0S5S4JYsts4pc7AL7bLKwGuBLHH4Ufaxy7caxe0DaI_NiHBzw/s1600/DSCF5400-003.JPG" /></a><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We have a pedestrian self-propelled harvester with which you could comfortably pick up 5 tons a day, which comes on its own trailer and with as many apple boxes as you require. </span><br />
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hire cost £50 per day.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk3fV0luFnBUTeRFZQe-xC2GV567gbj6cyqM1jb7FTt4Brrc6nZKJdiOF75GMaj_ZWChbLDXn074kmMEymyz0iokZbZZxd0UFnl3b2NciWviU4yRtS1MrCkDXSoQunnqUGKMRPoXcgOiGE/s1600/DSCF5395-002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk3fV0luFnBUTeRFZQe-xC2GV567gbj6cyqM1jb7FTt4Brrc6nZKJdiOF75GMaj_ZWChbLDXn074kmMEymyz0iokZbZZxd0UFnl3b2NciWviU4yRtS1MrCkDXSoQunnqUGKMRPoXcgOiGE/s1600/DSCF5395-002.JPG" /></a></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For budding juice and cider makers we also have a Speidel </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">mill and Hydrovane press for hire, capable of pressing up to 1000L per day with very little effort - also</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">only £50 per day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We also have for sale 1000 L square white plastic IBC containers, in a cage, and 210 L blue plastic drums, both suitable for making cider.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1000 L - £65</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">210 L - £25 </span><br />
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Call Deborah on <b>01963 240581</b></span></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7599720196342672666.post-54528282403466536982012-08-26T09:22:00.000+01:002012-09-03T17:32:43.879+01:00Pick-Your-Own at West Bradley Orchards<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQHGpha-eGiGXu_TkQZhQucLS5AkgPnurGwl8zWL6-R6p0BZOD-Y2tygZdfJMZsOKMja7jEdjYh3Kt-V-gJLx2L1obDvREUP_mFoNRZejwfXzRBjiB2F69nD_u7ihj7nFFOkZYVCnsaP4/s1600/DSCF2329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQHGpha-eGiGXu_TkQZhQucLS5AkgPnurGwl8zWL6-R6p0BZOD-Y2tygZdfJMZsOKMja7jEdjYh3Kt-V-gJLx2L1obDvREUP_mFoNRZejwfXzRBjiB2F69nD_u7ihj7nFFOkZYVCnsaP4/s320/DSCF2329.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">West Bradley Orchards will be open for <b>Pick-Your-Own</b> on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th weekends in September, Friday - Sunday, 10.00 - 5.00. West Bradley is one of the few remaining Somerset orchards to grow dessert fruit as well as cider fruit.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Dessert varieties include Bramley, Cox, Charles Ross, Egremont Russet, Worcester Pearmain, Jonagold, Reinette d'Orleans and others. Pears are Beth, Comice, Concorde and Conference. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sunday 9 September will be our annual <b>Apple Scrumping Day.</b> Come along to the orchards, pick your own fruit and we will help you to turn it into juice. Equipment, tuition and bottles provided. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This is a great family day out, and you get apple juice to take home! </span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If the cider fruit is ripe you can choose to press that instead of dessert fruit - start off your own cider blend!</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For PYO info call 01458 850227</span></b></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7599720196342672666.post-88584027755902841842012-07-31T12:19:00.001+01:002012-07-31T12:25:47.790+01:00<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyedh7axkDttb7cZRoJgRxUNEvjZcrerZoWB6I6ig6wyUq3IXvpiHzIhqgBniLE2_J_POUh06kk1Zd8-QyA3SU2efZv5OvSxHIjQ_R_2vvVkjy00u7_PR9Nit4f64_1Pg3blSwGm3FN3w/s1600/DSCF5043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyedh7axkDttb7cZRoJgRxUNEvjZcrerZoWB6I6ig6wyUq3IXvpiHzIhqgBniLE2_J_POUh06kk1Zd8-QyA3SU2efZv5OvSxHIjQ_R_2vvVkjy00u7_PR9Nit4f64_1Pg3blSwGm3FN3w/s1600/DSCF5043.JPG" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Neil Macdonald</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Both of our cider-making workshops were booked out, so we are planning another one on <b>Thursday 27 September.</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As this will be right in the middle of the dessert harvest, and at the start of the cider fruit harvest, it </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">will give everyone the opportunity to press some juice, experiment</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">with blending, and take the results home to await developments!</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Participants so far have enjoyed the opportunity to taste a huge selection of West Country ciders. Some of them have been from the major brands but most are from small local producers whom we know well.</span></span><br />
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The variation of flavours has been eye-opening, as have the things to watch out for that indicate an unfinished fermentation or oxidation, or worse!</span></span><br />
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We have been so pleased that people have brought along samples of their own brews to </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">share.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">All have been extremely interesting, and some downright entertaining!</span><br />
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">On the one hand making cider couldn’t be simpler: press some apples into juice and wait. But if you want to make a superior product there are one or two pointers we can offer that will really make a difference.</span></span><br />
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Neil Macdonald will be tutoring the workshop and there will be a guided tour of West Bradley Orchards and Orchard Pig’s pressing and bottling plant. Lunch is also included.</span></span><br />
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The fee for the workshop will be £95. To book please call us on 01458 851222 or 01458 850154.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7599720196342672666.post-74316734228770308102012-07-25T07:17:00.000+01:002012-07-25T07:41:00.260+01:00Royal Bath and West Society Show<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiedmCwzWXkQ8IWgc8Ini6wdSpPRnCOO8nSx4SuA1edyAxwJ5cXpV2xlSvnC03_hfRFVpkxDHD3X1wnvh06dD4uXBFOxfF5RqMsb367TPxsXaHgrCumaeaEjZc5ZZ4dF-CGMBHyhYOpQWg/s1600/DSCF0360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiedmCwzWXkQ8IWgc8Ini6wdSpPRnCOO8nSx4SuA1edyAxwJ5cXpV2xlSvnC03_hfRFVpkxDHD3X1wnvh06dD4uXBFOxfF5RqMsb367TPxsXaHgrCumaeaEjZc5ZZ4dF-CGMBHyhYOpQWg/s1600/DSCF0360.JPG" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This year’s show was memorable </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">for being the largest cider </span></span><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">competition in the world, with 490 </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">entries. Making a much admired </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">appearance was celebrity chef </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Raymond Blanc,(seen here with </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Nick Bradstock from the NACM) </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">who had all the cidermakers </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">nodding appreciatively as he led </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">the judging panel.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Everyone was delighted when p</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">omologist Liz Copas, one of the</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">great apple identifiers in </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Somerset, a pioneer at Long </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ashton Research Centre and a</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">gifted artist, was presented with </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">the Bath & West Society’s Gold </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">medal for a lifetime’s contribution </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">to the world of cider production, </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">by Professor Peter Gregory, chief </span></span><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">executive of East Malling </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Research – the Kent home of the </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">national apple collection.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIb31il0kgX1ImHHna5RaoH8LAY2iJ49VWlukszZmLcL88hswdRPqmgzRfV_9tP2plfpeOBQ5V2LhJLeRrGu1OjvGI-lIiJP6w1pfDNLNYqqeHeXGZx85z_xiQ4ZSJ6Ynx1_ocZ5x-D6I/s1600/DSCF0368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIb31il0kgX1ImHHna5RaoH8LAY2iJ49VWlukszZmLcL88hswdRPqmgzRfV_9tP2plfpeOBQ5V2LhJLeRrGu1OjvGI-lIiJP6w1pfDNLNYqqeHeXGZx85z_xiQ4ZSJ6Ynx1_ocZ5x-D6I/s1600/DSCF0368.JPG" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The award came as a total </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">surprise to Liz. “I was completely </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">bowled over. I had no idea. It was </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">a very well kept secret!”</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Growers’ Day, on Friday 1 June, </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">was well attended and packed </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">with interesting presentations, </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">including Emily Durrant talking </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">about HONE, John Thatcher on</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Orchards of the Future and an </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Open Meeting of Orchards South </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">West as well as visits from MP Ian </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Liddell-Grainger and MEP Julie </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Girling.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Orchard Pig picked up a First </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">prize for its sparkling Apple </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Rambler juice, one from the new </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">drinks range from Orchard Pig.</span></span></div>
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7599720196342672666.post-30036222359600850432012-05-19T14:28:00.000+01:002012-05-19T14:28:58.950+01:00Royal Bath and West Society Show
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQamVHnsRm_xTcIvkexLAxHiJkYpDMrrb2T7CD2wNS9BHLEIRe7dnta7ll6XR0nCjgP03xnIHyVfY5I58sqhyphenhyphenzZWMROsPN9-OjqhSqtV1cstEmQ_6rKTW6PtyCWz6erirenDky1wX7C5k/s1600/siteimg_headimg_282-002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQamVHnsRm_xTcIvkexLAxHiJkYpDMrrb2T7CD2wNS9BHLEIRe7dnta7ll6XR0nCjgP03xnIHyVfY5I58sqhyphenhyphenzZWMROsPN9-OjqhSqtV1cstEmQ_6rKTW6PtyCWz6erirenDky1wX7C5k/s1600/siteimg_headimg_282-002.jpg" /></a><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>30 May - 2 June</b> are the dates for this year’s Royal Bath and West </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Society Show at the Shepton Mallet Showground. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Do please come and say hello - you will find us at our stand in the Orchards and Cider Tent.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">There have been more entries this year than ever for the Cider classes, making the B and W the </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">biggest cider competition in the world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Friday 1 June is </span><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Growers Day,</b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> with lots of special events aimed at orchard owners.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This is well worth attending and a great opportunity to listen to some fantastic experts and to meet other growers.</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7599720196342672666.post-32665129884916366742012-04-20T16:05:00.000+01:002012-04-20T16:06:45.443+01:00Apple Blossom Day at Orchard Pig<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSxpyZREcJsBVcWTyG3SjvTSNPDTncCQKCWwPYo7mSxitZw2TsHzIh5ViMD1RuxlaJou_s3Wpy2sA1Sh2An8pqkym6FtTv3cQ_1m1c72eZno9dcfNCAyla9_LntokNZpk3Olpfz-1np0Q/s1600/Andrew+Quinlan+&+Neil+Macdonald.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSxpyZREcJsBVcWTyG3SjvTSNPDTncCQKCWwPYo7mSxitZw2TsHzIh5ViMD1RuxlaJou_s3Wpy2sA1Sh2An8pqkym6FtTv3cQ_1m1c72eZno9dcfNCAyla9_LntokNZpk3Olpfz-1np0Q/s320/Andrew+Quinlan+&+Neil+Macdonald.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Andrew Quinlan & Neil Macdonald</div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Sunday 29 April will be a big celebration at West Bradley Orchards as Orchard Pig hosts its regular Apple Blossom Day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="s1">Cider, apple juice, hog roast, </span>games and music are on the schedule from 11.00 - 6.00 and the trees in full blossom are a gift from nature at this time of year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It’s a great opportunity for Orchard Pig to celebrate its Somerset roots at the start of summer, and to introduce everyone to its new lines and stunning new look. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="s1">With the trees looking their best we will be delighted to welcome </span>everyone for orchard tours, with </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">specialists on hand to answer questions.</span><br />
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">For the sporty there will be welly throwing, apple and spoon races and a special Tug o’ War, and for </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">the less sporty lots of ice cream, Orchard Pig cider and apple juice.</span><br />
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Bees and honey from Somerton Beekeepers, small animals and birds from <a href="http://www.secretworld.org/"><span class="s2">Secret World</span></a> and the famous Orchard Piglets will be fun for the family, and all day music will make a mellow setting until the sun goes down.</span></span><br />
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We look forward to seeing all our friends at West Bradley on 29 April - do come and meet us!</span></span></div>
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