John Thatcher recognised for ‘outstanding contribution’
October 06 2009
John Thatcher
The National Association of Cider Makers (NACM) has awarded the annual Fred Beech trophy to the chairman of Thatchers Cider, John Thatcher. The Fred Beech award recognises outstanding contributions made to the cider industry each year.
Presenting John with his award, Fenella Tyler, former Chair of the NACM said, 'The NACM is delighted to recognise John Thatcher with this award given the very significant contribution he has made to our industry this year.
'Many people will know that John has played an important role at the heart of the NACM for many years. This award reveals that when the industry needed someone to champion and lobby for growers and cider makers on the issue of the Single Farm Payment scheme we had John to call upon with his great knowledge, experience and very considerable persistence.”
She concluded,
'I was especially pleased to be able to make the presentation to John as I know first-hand how valuable his efforts have been.'
The lobbying led by John on behalf of the cider industry contributed to the decision to bring payments to apple growers in the UK within the Single Farm Payment scheme.
The Fred Beech award is made in memory of Fred Beech, who was a leading pomologist at the former Long Ashton Research Centre in Bristol. October 6, 2009
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