Harvest 2010 part II

We have finished picking all our Jonagolds, so that’s the last lot of juice apples picked through, (just made it before the starlings!) and we have now finished the cider apple harvest at West Bradley too. We’re slightly ahead of time at West Bradley because it was not a bumper crop this year.  The fruit was a little slow to fall which is good because it made up some of the size it lost earlier in the year, but without really cold weather the crop stays on the trees and it makes harvesting more time consuming.

We have finished all the juice pressing and bottling - we try to get the apples off the tree and into the bottle inside 48 hours - and we are well ahead with the cider pressing.  We still have about another 20,000 litres of cider to make at West Bradley but the quality has been spectacular and we are really pleased.

SWECA

The South West of England Cidermakers’ Association (SWECA) held its six monthly meeting last week.  Hosts were John and Martin Thatcher at the family farm at Sandford, Somerset.

SWECA is a group dedicated to supporting the needs of cider makers, apple growers and enthusiasts in the South West region.  Its objective is to link with NACM on behalf of the cider industry, and to promote the interests of those engaged in the region’s cider making industry.

About 50 people attended last week’s meeting at Thatcher’s and were fascinated to hear what the company has been up to recently.  John and Martin Thatcher have invested heavily in new plant this year - an expression of confidence in the future of the industry.  

They discussed the new harvesting machinery they have acquired to harvest cider apples with a shake-and-catch technique which minimises bruising and improves cold storage times.

John Thatcher is regarded as a great mentor for all in the cider business, tremendously enthusiastic and forward looking.  “He is ahead of all of us!” said Orchard Ground Force's Neil Macdonald.

Group members shared their outlook for this year’s crop, with Devon predicting a 100% crop, Somerset 80% and Hereford 120%.  Everyone expressed optimism in the growth of the cider market - 6% over the last twelve months - with similar predictions for the growth of the apple juice market.

Perry pears have had a good year, with the market looking robust.

SWECA welcomes new members who are fruit growers, cider makers or enthusiasts.  For more details contact Bob Chaplin on 01749 334007 or email bob.chaplin@gaymercider.eu.com